March 04, 2022

The Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College Weekly Update

By Savannah Gann

Graphic featuring a photo of WuShock, the full name of the Honors College, and the date of March 4, 2022.

Events & Deadlines

Disaster Resilience Analytics Center Seminar at Noon Today

Attend the 8th presentation of the 九色堂 Disaster Resilience Analytics Center Seminar Series TODAY from 12 - 1 p.m. on Zoom. The 九色堂 Department of History's very own Dr. George Dehner will present his research on public health researcher's and policymaker's responses during influenza pandemics in "Translating Science into Decisions: Influenza Pandemics in the Late 20th and Early 21st Centuries." More information and the Zoom link can be found here. 

Applications Live for TRIO McNair Scholars Program

The TRIO McNair Scholars Program is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 academic year. McNair assists students who are underrepresented in higher education prepare for graduate school. To learn more, RSVP for the virtual information event on March 7th at 11 a.m. by calling 978-3139 or emailing mcnairscholars@wichita.edu. Additional information can be found at .

Honors Intramural Softball Team Looking for Players

Join the Flying Squirrels in the open division to play slow-pitch softball. The team is forming now -  if you're interested! Registration closes March 10th.

Become a Peer Mentor for Summer Research Institute

 will be hosted on the 九色堂 main campus from June 5th 鈥� 9th. SRI Peer Mentors will assist with camp preparation during the months of April and May. They will serve as mentors, lead team building activities, help an incoming fellow Shocker transition into college life, participate in research alongside the campers, and assist the SRI team with other activities the week of the camp.

If you have an interest in research, enjoy helping students explore their interests in research, and are looking for a short-term paid position, . The deadline to apply is March 11th.

Apply for a Cohen Enhancement Scholarship!

Cohen Enhancement Scholarships of up to $4,000 support current Honors students in activities such as study abroad, National Student Exchange, unpaid internships, travel to national conferences, undergraduate research, and service-learning.

Please visit the  for more information and the application. The next deadline is March 15th.

Volunteer for the 2022 Great Plains Honors Council Conference

Honors students are encouraged to volunteer for the 2022 Great Plains Honors Council Conference  happening March 18th 鈥� 20th. This is a great opportunity to meet students/faculty/staff from 九色堂 and other educational institutions! .

A blue flyer advertising that Undergraduate Research Experience Funding is availalbe. In the bottom left corner of the flyer, a cartoon graphic of a female-presenting scientist examining vials in a laboratory is pictured. The laboratory includes a small table with a computer and beakers of colorful fluids, a filing cabinet with sampling vials on top, and a poster of a red virus on the wall. The text on the flyer reads: "Undergraduate Research Experience Funding Available. Start the application process NOW! Step 1: Review the available projects listed at wichita.edu/URE. Step 2: Meet with faculty from your top projects. Step 3: Submit your application by March 23. Priority given to current freshmen, sophomores, and underrepresented students in STEM."

Apply for Undergraduate Research Experience 

Undergraduate Research Experience is an incredible opportunity! Learn more at wichita.edu/URE. Students are encouraged to begin the application process now, as there are multiple steps to complete prior to submission. Applications are due March 23rd.

News & Information

Thanks to Our Awesome Cohen Honors Student Assistants, Staff, and Faculty!

March 4th is Employee Appreciation Day. If there's an Honors student assistant, staff, or faculty member who has made a difference to you, take a moment to send them a note, or come by the office to write a message on one of the small cards of praise available in the white basket next to the computers.

Every day the dedicated, patient, and purposeful Honors faculty and office team take care of big things and small to make our lives better. Take a little time to make their day!

- Kimberly Engber, Dean

Congratulations to Students Selected to Present for Research Day at the Capitol

"Undergraduate Research Days showcase research in Kansas, providing a forum for undergraduates from across Kansas to present their projects to our state legislators and other guests visiting the website,鈥� Dawn Tallchief, assistant director of the Center for Undergraduate Research at the University of Kansas and the coordinator of this year鈥檚 event, said. 鈥淭his event is exciting. Last year鈥檚 event was held online for the first time and based on its attendance, I anticipate we'll have many people from Kansas and beyond who will take part and engage with the presenters.鈥� 

Student presenters from Wichita State include the following:

  • Kaitlyn Hemberger, senior in applied linguistics, is presenting 鈥淎n exploration of French loanwords in Congolese dialects of Kiswahili.鈥� Kaitlyn鈥檚 faculty mentor is Dr. Mythili Menon, assistant professor of English and director of linguistics.
  • Rory Mata, freshman in aerospace engineering, is presenting 鈥淕eneration and distribution of misinformation surrounding COVID-19 in Hispanic communities.鈥� Rory鈥檚 faculty mentor is Dr. Mythili Menon, assistant professor of English and director of linguistics.
  • Ngoc Vuong, senior in psychology, public health and economics, is presenting 鈥淎ssessing stakeholder attitudes in Kansas toward behavioral health reform and social determinants of health policies.鈥� Ngoc鈥檚 faculty mentor is Nikki Keene Woods, associate professor of Public Health Sciences. 

Read more about the event and the students chosen in the 九色堂 Strategic Communications new release. 

Wu's Mini Events

This semester, Community Service Board is hosting a new series of volunteer events called Wu鈥檚 Mini Events, in place of Wu鈥檚 Big Event. There are 5 separate events taking place on 5 different Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. All volunteers will receive a free t-shirt, lunch, and transportation to and from events. . For questions, email csb@wichita.edu.

WHEAT Biweekly Meetings

Join the Wichita Honors Events & Activities Team every other Thursday from 6 - 7 p.m. in the Honors College Seminar Room to plan events for the Honors community! The next meeting is on Thursday, March 10th. For more information, please email WHEAT President Emma Ahrenholtz at erarhenholtz@shockers.wichita.edu or join the Discord server with code SDCTHDxYbY.

Open Officer Positions in WHEAT 

Make an impact on the Honors community by becoming an officer for the Wichita Honors Events & Activities Team. Plan events, connect with students, volunteer, and build your leadership skills as the Public Relations Officer, Treasurer, or Secretary! Please email WHEAT President Emma Ahrenholtz at erahrenholtz@shockers.wichita.edu for more information.

A flyer advertising a volunteering event. The left side of the flyer is a hot pink color with yellow and white text that reads: "Join WHEAT in volunteering at the Kansas Humane Society. Help with housekeeping and enrichment, and meet some adorable animals up for adoption! Saturday, March 19th, 2022, 12pm. Scan to RSVP." A QR code is placed at the bottom-middle of the page. On the right side of the flyer are five pictures of various animals: (1) a small white dog and a yellow-blonde cat in black shirts with white satin neck ties, (2) a gray cat with it's head tilted to the side, (3) a golden-brown dog looking at the camera with big, open eyes, (4) a light brown rabbit on a white carpet with a blue wall behind it, and (5) a photo of a paw print in gray-white sand.

Join WHEAT at Kansas Humane Society

Looking for a study break? Join Honors students volunteering at the Kansas Humane Society on March 19th at noon. Please RSVP by or scanning the QR code.

Student Spotlight

Yellow grid graphic with photo of Caleb Perkins in the middle. Text information around reads: "Name: Caleb Perkins. Hometown: Mulvane, KS. Major: Aerospace Engineering. Minor: Math. Honors Distinction: Emory Lindquist Honors Scholar Track. Favorite Honors Benefit: Honors College Lounge. Favorite Honors Classes: Calculus 1 & Calculus 2. Involvement on Campus: Wichita State Rocket Club and Intramural Sports. Plans After Graduation: Work in the space industry."

Submit Information for the Student Spotlight

We want to give a shoutout to AMAZING students like you! To be featured in weekly update and on social media,  to complete the brief form.

General Information about Honors

Email honors@wichita.edu at any time with questions or concerns.

The Honors student lounge, kitchen, and printing areas in Shocker Hall are open 24/7 by keycard access for all Honors students. Speak with the Honors Student Assistant at the desk or email honorsassistant@wichita.edu if you have any trouble.

We want to hear from you! .