Wichita State Connect

Wichita State Connect is the campus hub for engagement with preK-12 students and families, educators, and community members.

Our Programs & Projects Administrative Team Newsletters

Building Integrated PreK-12 to College Pathways Through Wichita State Connect

Wichita State Connect College Pathway from K-12 to a Bachelor's Degree

Located in the heart of the campus, Wichita State Connect provides a gathering space and launchpad for preK-12 field trips to campus, mixers and events, professional development for educators, and programs that engage WSU’s academic colleges with innovation campus industry partners, admissions, college readiness programs, schools, and community organizations.

Wichita State Connect serves as the university’s coordinating hub for PreK–12 exposure, engagement, and pathways to enrollment. At its core, this work is about alignment—bringing together academic colleges, support services programs, admissions, and community partners into a cohesive PreK–12 ecosystem that supports early awareness, meaningful engagement, and stronger recruitment and persistence outcomes.

Our Goals:

Strengthen PreK-12 to college Pathways
Expand access to college readiness & career exploration
Increase participation & persistence through pipeline programs
Align WSU departments & colleges to support youth engagement

How to find Wichita State Connect?

Wichita State Connect is located in the geographic center of campus between Mid-Campus Drive and Research Place roads.

PARKING LOTS:

Lot 15 E, just north of the building (9 parking spaces reserved for Wichita State Connect).
Lot 13 and Lot 15, just west of the building. WSU visitor parking rules allow visitors to park in lots with the Blue and White "V" signage three times each semester (fall and spring) while school is in session. Parking permits are not enforced after 5 p.m.; when classes are not in session or during the summer sessions.

Find Wichita State Connect on the map

Reserve the Connect Space for an Event or an Activity

Major Focus Areas

Early Exposure

Early exposure initiatives through PreK–12 partnerships and community-based engagement events.

Bring your 4th–8th grade students to campus for an engaging university experience. Schools can request a visit that will include an art experience and hands-on opportunities with university departments, giving students a meaningful introduction to campus life and future pathways.

Explore campus through self-guided tours designed for schools and community programs.

WSU Engagement

Active engagement across Shocker Neighborhood, Summer Campus, and TRIO & GEAR UP programs

Summer camps connect students of all ages to enriching academic, arts, athletic, and TRIO-based programs while strengthening Wichita State University’s engagement with the community.

Retention & Graduation

Collaborations and coordinated support among WSU academic departments, support services and TRIO programs.

Through four distinct Student Support Services (SSS) programs, targeted support is provided to first-generation students, students with disabilities, veterans, and STEM students to promote retention, academic success, and timely graduation.

PreK-12 & TRIO/GEAR UP Events

Shocker Neighborhood Events

Summer programs and Camps

Wichita State Connect Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee brings together various university departments to share their efforts and successes within the scope of Wichita State Connect. By working together, the connect can achivie the goal to create a more cohesive and impactful presence of Wichita State in the community.

Wichita State Academic Offices

Ashlie Jack, Ph.D. (Vice Provost, Academic Affairs)
Coleen Pugh, Ph.D. (Vice Provost, Research & Dean, Graduate School)
Bobby Gandy (Associate Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Initiatives, Undergradate Admssions)
Kimberly Engber, Ph.D. (Dean & Associate Professor, Honors College)
Michael Birzer, Ph.D. (Director, Undergraduate Research & Creative Hub, Professor, School of Criminal Justice)
Larisa Genin, Ph.D. (Dean & Professor, Barton School of Business)
Gregory Hand, Ph.D. (Dean & Professor, Health Professions)
Ali Gordon, Ph.D. (Dean & Professor, College of Engineering)
Sarah Beth Estes, Ph.D. (Dean, Liberal Arts & Sciences)
Jennifer Friend, Ph.D. (Dean, College of Applied Studies/Education)
Marie Bukowski, Ph.D. (Dean & Professor, College of Fine Arts)
Jeremy Patterson, Ph.D. (Dean, College of Innovation & Design, Director, Innovation & New Ventures, Director, Human Performance Lab)
Enrique, Navarro, Ph.D. (Associate Dean, Graduate School)
Bobby Berry, Ed.D. (Assistant Dean & Assistant Professor, College of Applied Studies/Education)
Wendy Haynes (Assistant Dean, College of Fine Arts)

TRIO & GEAR UP Programs

Ashley Cervantes, Ed.D. (Director, Student Support Services, STEM)
Vanessa Souriya-Mnirajd (Director, State-wide Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP)
Stacia Lyday (Director, Veterans Upward Bound and Student Support Services, Veterans)
Karen Wright (Director, Student Support Services)
Jose Hinojosa (Director, GEAR UP @ Haysville and Haysville GEAR UP)
Lorene Berg (Director, Upward Bound Math & Science)
Travis Feeney (Director, Educational Opportunity Centers Program)
Mani Souriya (Director, TRIO Talent Search and Talent Search South)
Shauntelle Thompson (Director, Heights & Southeast GEAR UP)
Shukura Bakari-Cozart (Director, McNair Scholars Program)

Wichita State and other Offices & Departments

Alicia Thompson, Ed.D. (Associate Vice Provost, Wichita State Connect)
Naquela Pack (Director of PreK-12 Connections, Wichita State Connect)
Alan Dsouza, Ph.D. (Grants Analyst Director, Wichita State Connect)
Brent Mai, Ed.D. (Dean & Professor, University Libraries)
Angela Paul (Teaching Professor, Instruction & Outreach, University Libraries)
Gabriel Fonseca, Ed.D. (Executive Director, Student Engagement & Belonging, Student Affairs)
Jon Lee (Director, Campus Recreation)
Angela Dudley (Senior Assistant Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Relations, WSU Foundation)
Sacie Willamson (Vice President of Alumni Engagement, WSU Foundation)
Joe Jabara (Assistant Educator, Engineering Camp)
Moriah Beck (Research Professor, STEM Camp)
Brenda Lichman (Associate Director of Education, Ulrich Museum of Art)
Jusin Rorabaugh (Assistant Educator & Director, School of Digital Arts, Director, Shocker Studios)
Andrew Swindle, Ph.D. (Geology Department)
Julia Schwartz (Assistant Educator, Outreach Coordinator, Geology Department)
Samuel Nava (Assistant Director, Community Resources Navigator, WSU Tech)