Wichita State Connect

This morning was Love Schools Kick Off with the Wichita Public Schools Foundation! 💛

We’re excited to welcome another neighborhood school into the schools we support through this initiative. Investing in our students, educators, and communities is one of the most meaningful ways we can make a lasting impact.

Looking forward to a great year ahead!

We love making Connect-tions!

Thank you to the Curtis Cultural Council, an incredible group of young leaders dedicated to learning about culture, community, and service. We had a wonderful day exploring art, culture, collaboration, and community engagement together. Keep up the great work, boys! Know that the Ulrich Museum is a place for everyone, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon.

Happy Juneteenth to all of Shocker Nation as we celebrate 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢 and 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 together 🌾

We love a good collab!

We’re excited to share the Wichita State Connect 2024–2025 Annual Report and reflect on another year of connection, collaboration, and university/community impact.

This year continued to highlight the power of partnerships, student engagement, and creating pathways that connect PreK–12, higher education, and our community in meaningful ways. Through campus experiences, community initiatives, outreach efforts, and collaborative programming, Wichita State Connect remains committed to helping bridge opportunities and strengthen access across our region.

Thank you to the many campus and community partners, schools, educators, students, and organizations who continue to collaborate with us in this work. We’re grateful to be part of a university and community that believes in growing together.

View the annual report here:https://mcusercontent.com/35eb6c7ba9f33c8e3bba76674/files/92c9d918-ffee-94fa-f941-0467db659ba3/Wichita_State_Connect_Annual_Report_24_25.pdf

Please note the correction: TRIO STEM (and VSSS) were awarded funding in the most recent SSS grant competition. No students were served through these programs in the 2024-2025 academic year. Both programs are funded to serve 120 students beginning in 2025-2026.

There’s a lot of energy and opportunity flowing through our spaces this week at Wichita State Connect.

• GEAR UP West & South and GEAR UP Heights & Southeast officially kicked off their VIBES summer programs today with 60+ students at Connect.
•The Way to Work youth summer employment program is holding orientation in Woolsey, with nearly 150 teens preparing to begin work experiences across Wichita this summer.

From career exposure to college access and summer enrichment, it’s exciting to see students from across our community stepping into new experiences, connections, and possibilities.

Grateful for the partners, staff, and programs helping create spaces where young people can grow, explore, and thrive this summer.