Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center

Recently, the U.S. EPA Heartland Region held a roundtable in western Kansas, focusing on vital rural water issues, including EPA funding opportunities, careers in the water sector, and local water concerns. We’re proud to support all of these initiatives through our programs, trainings, and technical assistance services. But a special highlight is our fan-favorite Future Water Leaders Program, which offers counselors and educators resources and materials to integrate water workforce topics into their college and career curricula.🤩💦

👉Read EPA's Press Release:

EPA Holds Roundtable on Rural Water Issues in Western Kansas | US EPA The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a roundtable with rural water leaders in western Kansas at the City of Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Join us in our latest podcast featuring Michelle DeHaven, Program Manager at the EFC, where we dive into the crucial topic of cybersecurity for water and wastewater utilities. 🚨💧Discover why it matters and how leaders can easily take proactive steps to protect their operations and communities. Listen now:

Cybersecurity: How to Start Environmental Finance Center Network · Episode

💧KS Governor Laura Kelly has announced a series of local consult meetings across the state to discuss important water planning initiatives!

🗓️ Join the Kansas Water Office from July 28 to August 27 for these informative sessions where you can share your insights on Kansas' water supply and hear about ongoing conservation efforts.

📍 Meetings will be held in:
- Colby
- Hays
- Parsons
- Manhattan
- Topeka
- Garden City
- Wichita

Your voice matters! Let’s work together to preserve Kansas’ water resources for future generations. RSVP and learn more about the meetings here: https://www.kwo.ks.gov/events-initiatives/regional-water-planning-2026-local-consult-meetings

🎓Scholarship Opportunity for Nebraska Water Operators!💧

The Nebraska Rural Water Association and the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment are offering a scholarship to public water system operators with active grade 1-4 licenses. The scholarship will reimburse up to $1,500 for conference registration fees, mileage to and from the conference, and lodging for in-state conferences/workshops offering at least 10 continuing education credits.

For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit: https://www.nerwa.org/

This scholarship is named after Rich Koenig, a DWEE employee who passed away in May 2023. Rich served in the NE drinking water field services section for over 33 years and had a tremendous passion for his work. He took great pride in the assistance and knowledge he provided to public water systems and their operators – through this scholarship, his legacy of education continues.

Register now for our summer workshops in Missouri designed for water utility leadership and decision-makers to boost their knowledge of key managerial, financial, and technical aspects of running a successful water business for their community. 💦

This complimentary workshop is **essential** for water and wastewater utilities facing significant upgrades, rate increases, regulatory challenges, or other decisions that require support and understanding from key leadership. 🚰📈

Can't make it to one of our in-person workshops? Attend our virtual workshop via Zoom instead! 💻📅

Learn more and register today!
👉 https://wichita.edu/MOWaterLeadershipWorkshop

Hosted by the Environmental Finance Center and Missouri Public Utility Alliance.

💧👷🏽 Interested in becoming a Future Water Leader? There are so many ways to be a part of the sector no matter your skills, level of education, or background. Check out this new “Careers Across the Water Workforce” resource our team created to see what water sector pathway is the right fit for you!



🔗Check out the brochure here:https://efcnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Careers-Across-the-Water-Workforce.pdf



📚 For more resources on water careers and/or ready-to-go lesson plans to teach K-12 students about water resources, explore the Future Water Leaders Educators Resource Hub today: https://efcnetwork.org/resources/educators-resource-hub/



👥 This project is delivered in partnership between the Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center, Southwest Environmental Finance Center, and Syracuse University Environmental Finance Center based out of Institute for Sustainability Engagement - EFC Region 2

We are hosting a complimentary Intro to Cybersecurity Workshop, specifically designed for Missouri water/wastewater utilities, on June 4 at the DNR Southeast Regional Offices in Poplar Bluff. 💦🌐🔒

This workshop will introduce you to cybersecurity tactics, vulnerabilities, common cyberattack methods, and the physical security aspects of cybersecurity. Participants will engage in a tabletop exercise and receive insights into the Missouri Water Safety and Security Act.

Approved for 5.0 Renewal Training Hours approved by MDNR. Learn more and register today! ⬇️

https://efcnetwork.org/event/mo-training-poplar-bluff-introduction-to-cybersecurity-and-tabletop-exercise-for-missouri-wastewater-and-water-operators-2/

Today, our team had the opportunity to present to the MiniMPA class, which is always an enjoyable experience! 💛🖤💛 We discussed how our team can assist local water utilities and highlighted some of our core community training programs, including Cybersecurity for Utilities and Water Utility Asset Management.

Additionally, we provided insights into how each individual's role in local government can help support their community's water and environmental services. Thank you, Wichita State University Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs, for letting us teach a session again!

💧🤝 As experienced plant managers and superintendents approach retirement, many utilities are looking to train the next generation of leaders. Unsure where to start? Read this new blog by Analisa Munhall, Program Manager at the Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center to learn what questions to ask when assessing your sites and what actions your utility can take to train future leaders.



📖 Read “Closing the Leadership Gap in Wastewater” Here: https://efcnetwork.org/closing-the-leadership-gap-in-wastewater/



🔗 For more multimedia, including podcasts, videos, blogs and more, visit: https://efcnetwork.org/multimedia/

🎉 Our team had an amazing time at the Robert L. Cattoi Book Technologies Lab, housed in the Wichita State University Department of English, just a couple of floors up from our offices in Lindquist Hall! 📚✨ We got creative, explored the history and future of books, and even tried our hands at making books, digitizing manuscripts, and quilling with ink pens! 🖌️💡 Plus, we checked out some fascinating typewriters and learned about the evolution of the letterpress. Highly recommend checking it out for yourself! 👉 www.wichita.edu/booklab