Shocker Strive Conference

Friday, March 27, 2026 • Rhatigan Student Center 

Register here for the 2026 Conference

Feel free to reach out to shockerstrive@wichita.edu with any questions.

The Third Annual Staff Trainings Resources Initiatives Values and Engagement (STRIVE) conference, established in 2024, offers all WSU staff a free professional development opportunity and a chance to network with fellow Shockers within the Wichita State University community. The Staff Senate aims to create a flexible opportunity for any interested staff to attend, learn, and connect with others. To accommodate various schedules, we offer both morning and afternoon sessions.  There will be a morning welcome message at 8:15 am and an afternoon welcome message at 12:45 pm.

For those attending, box lunches will be available for those  who are registered to attend the event from Noon to 1 p.m.  During the lunch hour, we will host an awards ceremony to celebrate those honored with Staff Senate awards as well!

During the event, Staff Senators will also be available in black shirts all day, please ask these representatives if you need any assistance or have any feedback.

Thank you to President Rick Muma, Provost Monica Lounsbery and David Miller for helping sponsor the Shocker Strive Conference. 

Morining Sessions

8:30 to 9:30am

Docking Survey

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca, Jacob Mendez

Location: RSC TBD

CARE Team Confessions: What We Can Tell You… and What We Really, Really Can’t

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Katie Davidson, Chris Leonard, Heather Stafford

Location: RSC TBD

The Employment Landscape: What Today’s Hiring Trends Mean for WSU Students

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Brian Austin

Location: RSC TBD

9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Role of the Leader

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Raina Rutti, Chris Stone

Location: RSC TBD

Putting the U in stUdent sUccess!

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Kim Sandlin

Location: RSC TBD

Belonging with Purpose

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca

Location: RSC TBD

11 a.m. to Noon

Getting to know Generative AI at WSU

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: John Jones

Location: RSC TBD

Finance 101

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Kristie Courtney, Lyndsay Pletcher

Location: RSC TBD

Putting Strengths to Work: How to Collaborate Across Different Talents

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Katie Brady-Wark, Kennedy Rogers

Location: RSC TBD

Session 3D

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Katie Brady-Wark, Kennedy Rogers

Location: RSC TBD

Afternoon Sessions

1 to 2 p.m.

Docking Survey

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca, Jacob Mendez

Location: RSC TBD

CARE Team Confessions: What We Can Tell You… and What We Really, Really Can’t

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Katie Davidson, Chris Leonard, Heather Stafford

Location: RSC TBD

Putting the U in stUdent sUccess!

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Kim Sandlin

Location: RSC TBD

Session 4D

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Kim Sandlin

Location: RSC TBD

 

2:15 to 3:15 p.m.

Empowering Staff Members and Encouraging Advocating

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Staff Senate Professional Development Committee (Chuk Nweke, Sadi Roberts)

Location: RSC TBD

Belonging with Purpose

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca

Location: RSC TBD

Getting to know Generative AI at WSU

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: John Jones

Location: RSC TBD

3:30 to 4:30 p.m

Role of the Leader

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Raina Rutti, Chris Stone

Location: RSC TBD

Finance 101

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Kristie Courtney, Lyndsay Pletcher

Location: RSC TBD

Putting Strengths to Work: How to Collaborate Across Different Talents

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Katie Brady-Wark, Kennedy Rogers

Location: RSC TBD

Mental Wellness

Session Overview: TBD

Presenters: Chuk Nweke

Location: RSC TBD