Wichita State University

February 2023

Wichita State embraces AI technology as the path forward for innovation and education

Powerful and publicly available artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools flooded the internet in recent months, and they’re creating quite a stir. 


In the past few months, online tools have gone from being able to write reasonable paragraphs from a simple prompt to producing full essays with citations on more complex topics. They can also compose music, create art, build resumes and write speeches. 


Since the days of H.A.L.’s attempts to take over the spacecraft in “2001: A Space Odyssey,” artificial intelligence has kindled rigorous debate about its risks and rewards: Is it ethical? How will AI affect jobs? Will machine learning and artificial intelligence create a dystopia where humans are controlled by computer overlords? 


AI engines are not new. In fact, at Wichita State, we have already seen the development of businesses based on machine learning and natural language processing engines. On our own Innovation Campus, partners like Deloitte’s Smart Factory @ Wichita and NetApp are leading the way in developing AI technologies to improve business efficiencies.

Read more of Dr. Muma's message

Forward Together Podcast

February 2023 podcast: Mona Nemer, Canada's chief science advisor

In the latest episode of Wichita State University’s “Forward Together” podcast, President Rick Muma speaks with Shocker alumna Dr. Mona Nemer, a leader in the field of molecular cardiology and chief science advisor for Canada. They discuss her career path and the influence of policy and science in relation to public health.


Click above to watch a video of the podcast. Listen at wsu.news/ftpodcast or on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts and Apple Podcasts (iTunes).


The next episode will feature Stephen Laaper, principal at Deloitte Consulting LLP.

Subscribe here to catch all episodes of the podcast
In the News at Wichita State

Shockers Up! New campaign celebrates the Shocker experience

Wichita State has recently launched a new campaign to showcase its vibrant and dynamic community. Shockers Up features the Shocker Sound Machine Drumline and highlights the university's commitment to providing students with a high-quality holistic educational experience.


With its focus on the student experience, the campaign aims to attract prospective students and showcase the university as a destination for those seeking a dynamic and rewarding college experience. Shockers Up is more than just a slogan. It's a declaration of the university's ambition to empower its students to achieve their full potential.

WSU ranks No. 20 in U.S. for engineering R&D funding, No. 3 in aerospace

Wichita State has moved into the list of the top 20 universities in engineering research and development (R&D) expenditures, according to the latest data compiled by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey.


NSF’s latest data ranks U.S. universities in various categories, including R&D spending broken down by subfield and funding source.


For fiscal year 2021, Wichita State reported total R&D expenditures of $192 million – up from $154 million in 2020. Wichita State has moved up one spot to third in total aerospace R&D expenditures with $153 million; and maintained its rank as first in industry-funded aerospace R&D with a total of $75 million.

Read more about Wichita State's NSF rankings

$2.4 million NSF award aims to recruit, retain cybersecurity students

In the nation’s ongoing efforts to thwart cyberattacks and scammers, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Wichita State University more than $2.4 million to fund scholarships for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.


Beginning in fall 2023, the five CyberCorps Scholarships will be awarded to current Wichita State undergraduate and graduate students, as well as incoming transfer students. Recipients will receive funding for tuition, a stipend of $25,000 for undergraduate students and $34,000 for graduate students, as well as money for travel and supplies.

Learn more about CyberCorps
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Shocker student-athlete finds success in and out of the classroom

Caroline Tallent has big goals for herself. The mechanical engineering major at Wichita State University hopes to someday become an Air Force pilot or astronaut — perhaps even work at NASA.


She's just a sophomore, so she has plenty of time to dream and plan. But right now, her immediate goal is to put softballs into flight as a first baseman on the WSU softball team. She chose Wichita State after checking into schools with strong engineering and strong softball.


“(Wichita State) is like literally the best place for the aerospace industry,” Tallent said. “Once I found this place, I was like, ‘I really want to go here.’”

Read more about Caroline Tallent

Former executive president of Boeing returns to WSU as Engineer in Residence

Leanne Caret — a Wichita State University alumna, former executive president of Boeing, and former president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) — is serving as the Sam Bloomfield Distinguished Engineer in Residence for the College of Engineering at WSU for 2023. She will provide industry knowledge, insight and guidance to students and faculty.


“While Caret is not an engineer by trade, there is no one better suited as this year’s Engineer in Residence,” said Anthony Muscat, the dean of the college. 

Learn more about Leanne Caret
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Three high school seniors selected as 2023 Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship recipients

Wichita State University has selected the 2023 recipients of the Harry Gore Memorial Scholarships. Each student will receive a $64,000 scholarship to attend Wichita State University in August 2023. 


The 2023 Gore Scholars are:

  • Maley Hansen, Wichita North High School
  • Lesly Hernandez, Maize High School
  • Jayden Island, Derby High School
Read more about the Gore Scholars

WSU-led research aims to help persons with disabilities navigate buildings

Navigating an unfamiliar building can be discouraging and difficult to persons with disabilities. A team of Wichita State University researchers is in the early stages of developing digital maps to help accessibility indoors, where GPS or satellite systems often don’t work.


In December, the National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator program awarded a Wichita State-led team a $750,000 grant to gather information and create digital maps of indoor spaces that could be used by persons with disabilities.

Read more about this wayfinding research
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About Wichita State University


Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

 

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

 

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing more than 120 acres, and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.


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