Wichita State Poised For Massive Growth

[SubGod22]

KWCH - Commerce Dept. gives $1 million to WSU to boost medical workforce training

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced on Tuesday that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to Wichita State to support medical workforce training in the region.

The grant will provide new audiology equipment for WSU’s new biomedical training facility. This EDA investment will be matched with $1 million in local funds and is expected to create 50 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“Wichita State University is equipping students with the skills they need to provide excellent medical care and excel in their careers,” senator Jerry Moran said. “This investment from the Economic Development Administration will deliver state-of-the-art technology to WSU to provide students with top-notch training in audiology medicine.”

[SubGod22]

A small update

WSU - Wichita Biomedical Campus construction update - 9/18/24

The previous foundation from the Allis Hotel has been mostly removed from the location, and the hole has been partially filled back in with dirt. Next steps are to remove the side foundations around the perimeter the hole.

Electrical work will continue along English Street, and pile drilling on the site is scheduled to begin Sept. 23.

You can watch a live broadcast of the construction online at: bigview.ai/wichitabiomedicalcampusliveview.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - WSU Tech completes $3M automotive center renovation, announces industry partnerships

As Wichita's automotive industry grows, WSU Tech plans to meet its demand.

The technical school's automotive center completed a $3-million renovation and remodeling effort in late August at the City Center Campus on 301 S. Grove St. with support from the state and industry partnerships with Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group and heavy-duty truck company WKI Kenworth.

The space will include Walser Automotive Service Lab, Kenworth Heavy Truck Lab and a 72-person lecture hall. Jessi Lane, dean of WSU Tech's City Center Campus, said 20,000 of the 30,000 square-foot building was renovated and remodeled to meet the "uptick" in enrollment in their automotive and transportation programs.

"We started planning this a little over a year ago. We had a lot of interest in doing something in this space ... and we had enough demand in the program," he said. "There's enough students that are just wanting to be a part of the program that was identified and we decided to make some space for these students."

He said there are 325 enrolled students in the automotive programs available at the center. The renovation allows the program to host 48 more students.

They also have a lab for people to learn how to work on alternative fuel vehicles.

The Kenworth lab will give hands on experience for pretty much any diesel vehicle, including combines and bulldozers and such.

I really like that this facility will train technicians in pretty much every area imaginable and will serve a number of different industries in the metro and state.

[SubGod22]

WSU - Wichita State announces Licensed Mental Health Technician pathway

Wichita State University’s School of Nursing has launched a new Licensed Mental Health Technician (LMHT) pathway. This pioneering program, the first of its kind in the state, will address the growing need for mental health care professions in Kansas.

Key features of the LMHT pathway:

• Coursework is completely online, making the curriculum accessible to individuals across the region.
• All credit hours earned through the pathway can be applied toward a health care degree program for students pursuing further education.
• The School of Nursing is establishing clinical partnerships in rural areas, with the goal of allowing rural students to complete their clinical requirements close to home.

Increasing need for mental health care


The need for patient mental health care has increased substantially, and there is a severe shortage of health care professionals trained in this area. Licensed Mental Health Technicians are trained to care for patients who are challenged with mental or behavioral health issues and will fill a vast health care need across Kansas.

Debra Pile, chair and associate dean for nursing practice of the WSU College of Health Professions, said this pathway will be very impactful.

“Mental health is becoming an increasingly vital part of the health care system, and our new program is focused on looking to the future of Kansas’ mental health care needs,” said Pile. “Importantly, the creation of the pathway curriculum and this training offers a foundation to LMHT students for the pursuit of future careers in health care.”

Claudio Ferraro, president of Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph Hospital, said the development of this pathway will enable them to hire more trained mental health technicians, which will enhance patient care.

"Ascension Via Christi is thrilled to be in partnership with Wichita State University; they have historically helped us meet the ever-changing needs of the community,” said Ferraro. “The new LMHT program will be a key component in helping us source and train talented individuals to serve the behavioral health needs of the thousands of patients we are privileged to serve annually."

Classes begin in spring 2025, and enrollment is currently open.

For more information or to enroll, visit wichita.edu/LMHT.