Wichita State Poised For Massive Growth

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WSU - Key milestones mark steady progress on Wichita Biomedical Campus

Phase I of the Wichita Biomedical Campus — a collaboration between Wichita State University, University of Kansas and WSU Tech — is making steady progress as it prepares to transform and redefine health care education and research in Kansas.

“The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a tangible expression of our dedication to advancing health care through collaboration and innovation,” WSU President Rick Muma said. “By bringing together researchers, health care professionals and industry leaders, we’re creating an environment where groundbreaking discoveries can thrive and collaboration sparks innovation. This campus will be at the forefront of transforming health care, ultimately improving the lives of countless individuals.”  Construction updates


Despite November's rainy weather, construction crews remained on schedule, installing shoring around the elevator pit locations. This essential step prevents soil from caving in during excavation. The team continues excavation and is beginning to form and pour pile caps and pit walls, key components in laying the foundation for this innovative campus.

Watch a livestream of the Wichita Biomedical Campus’ construction.

“Our community’s excitement and engagement have been incredible,” Muma said. “The progress on this campus reflects the determination to build something truly transformative for Kansas and beyond.” Dental education in Kansas


As part of future expansion plans, the Kansas Board of Regents has approved Wichita State’s request to seek $5 million in state funding for a feasibility study on establishing Kansas’ first dental school. This study, which would represent Phase II of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, will be developed over the next year with a comprehensive needs assessment to evaluate statewide dental care gaps.

“This is an opportunity to take the next step in health care innovation,” Muma said. “A dental school at Wichita State would help us address critical gaps in oral health care access across Kansas, particularly in rural and underserved areas.” Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistive Technology


Wichita State University recently announced the launch of the Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine and Assistive Technology, a pioneering initiative housed within the biomedical campus. IRMAT is dedicated to advancing patient-centered research and developing life-enhancing technologies for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.

The groundbreaking collaboration brings together Wichita State’s College of Health Professions, College of Engineering, and Industry and Defense Programs, along with inaugural clinical partners Ascension Via Christi’s Rehabilitation Hospital, Heartspring’s Outpatient Services and the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, to accelerate scientific advancements and develop assistive technologies.

Key features of IRMAT include:

• State-of-the-art facilities and technology: Advanced laboratories and clinical spaces designed to support cutting-edge research.
• Clinical relationships:[COLOR=var(--cms-region--primary-black)] Interdisciplinary collaborations among experts in therapeutic medicine, engineering and technology development to drive innovation and holistic care strategies. [/COLOR]
• Research opportunities[COLOR=var(--cms-region--primary-black)]: Specialized resources to enable leading researchers to push boundaries in rehabilitation and assistive technology. [/COLOR]
• Statewide impact:[COLOR=var(--cms-region--primary-black)] Partnerships with Kansas health systems to ensure research addresses real-world needs, improving health care delivery and patient outcomes across the state. [/COLOR]

“Wichita State has a unique combination of clinicians, scientists and engineers complimented by the internationally recognized development and fabrication programs on our Innovation Campus,” said Dr. Gregory Hand, dean of Wichita State’s College of Health Professions. “In collaboration with our inaugural clinical partners, our goal is to use science and technology to improve the lives of individuals across the state.”

Audiology education


In October, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration awarded $1 million to the Wichita Biomedical Campus to purchase audiology equipment. This funding will support the Doctor of Audiology and Master of Arts in speech-language pathology programs, as well as the Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.

The equipment — including test booths, vestibular balance systems, and advanced imaging tools — will enhance education, research and clinical care. The clinic will serve patients across all ages with communication and swallowing difficulties, preparing students for impactful careers in audiology and speech-language pathology.

The Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic is a WSU-affiliated practice that has provided comprehensive speech, language and audiology services for families in the greater Wichita area for more than 60 years. Over the past five years, the clinic has served 1,307 clients across its audiology and SLP services. The clinic also serves as a clinical training and research laboratory for graduate students, who work under the direct supervision of faculty with decades of experience in numerous specialties. Background on the Wichita Biomedical Campus


The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a bold initiative to transform health care education, research and innovation in Kansas. Built in partnership with University of Kansas and WSU Tech, the WBC will combine state-of-the-art facilities with groundbreaking programs to address the region’s critical health care workforce shortages. The $300 million project will integrate health, innovation and technology to strengthen the economy and enhance health care access.

Anticipated to open in 2026 – with classes set to start spring 2027 – the campus will accommodate 3,000 students and establish Wichita as a hub for world-class health care education and research.

“The Wichita Biomedical Campus represents a commitment to the future health and prosperity of Kansas,” Muma said. “With its focus on collaboration, innovation and economic growth, the WBC is poised to become a cornerstone of Wichita’s downtown revitalization and a model for health care education and research.”

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WSU - WSU College of Engineering partners with Groover Labs to support regional innovation

The College of Engineering at Wichita State University has partnered with Groover Labs, a nonprofit collaborative workspace, technology hub and rapid prototyping lab in Wichita, to support the regional business community. The collaboration aims to assist businesses in designing and building prototypes, testing proof-of-concept ideas and engaging in low-volume manufacturing.

As part of the initiative, the college’s Project Innovation Hub is expanding its scope to accept projects from companies and community organizations. The projects – which include design and machining of parts, analyzing manufacturing processes, engaging in product development with entrepreneurs and supporting research – are executed by Wichita State students under the guidance of Project Innovation Hub staff and college faculty. A notable example of their work includes more than 400 handrails designed, manufactured and installed in Charles Koch Arena on the Wichita State campus.

“The partnership between the college and Groover Labs underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening the regional economy through collaboration, creativity and education,” said Dr. Anthony Muscat, dean of the College of Engineering.

This partnership will provide more students with the opportunity to engage in real-world engineering projects that address the needs of local businesses and entrepreneurs. Working alongside experienced engineers and faculty, students will tackle complex challenges in design, manufacturing and product development, gaining practical experience that is directly applicable to their future careers.

The paid nature of these applied learning opportunities ensures that students are contributing to impactful projects while helping to fund their education and living expenses. This initiative is an essential part of Wichita State’s commitment to providing students with the tools they need to excel in the workforce while fostering innovation and supporting regional economic growth.

Groover Labs brings valuable manufacturing space, state-of-the-art equipment, business expertise and connections to the local small business community. Acting as a gateway, Groover Labs will help connect the college with entrepreneurs and businesses in the region. In turn, the college will broaden the scope of projects Groover Labs can support, enabling a wider range of innovative solutions.

Groover Labs was founded by Curt Gridley and Tracy Hoover in 2019 to foster growth in local startup activity. The couple founded and sold the technology company, Amber Wave Systems, in the Boston area in the mid-1990s. Some of the proceeds of that sale helped create Groover Labs.

Gridley was a graduate of Wichita State and died earlier this year. Together, Gridley and Hoover made a significant gift to the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State for the Curtis D. Gridley Professorship in the History and Philosophy of Science, which stands as the first fully endowed professorship in the history of the college.

“Curt always believed that engineering students should start doing engineering work as soon as possible in their academic careers,” said Hoover. “We are excited to partner with the College of Engineering to help bring that vision to life. Students can work side by side with experienced engineers and regional manufacturers to solve real-world problems as part of this partnership.”

Businesses interested in collaborating with the College of Engineering and Groover Labs on prototyping, product development or other innovation initiatives can contact Nathan Smith, the applied learning facilities manager for the college, at nathan.smith@wichita.edu or 316-978-7461.

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Outside the box thinking coming from Tech.

WBJ - WSU Tech book series looks to inspire next generation's interest in STEAM careers

Finding innovative ways to connect Wichita's youth with jobs in high-demand industries is nothing new to WSU Tech.

But this is.

WSU Tech president Sheree Utash and Mandy Fouse, the college's executive director of public affairs and executive communications, are co-authors of a new book series, called "Tech Tykes," aimed at introducing young children to careers in science, technology, engineering, art and math, also known as STEAM.

The first book, "Ella the Engineer and the Big Fix," launched in late November as part of an effort to inspire the next generation of the workforce locally and beyond.

There are 10 books total planned for the series, with two more on tap by April, and all are set to be released within the next 15 months.

"In my wildest dreams, I never even thought about the fact that we would be an author," Utash said. "We just wanted to get something in kids' hands to talk to them."

Utash said WSU Tech has a significant presence with local high schools — including through initiatives like the FutureReady Manufacturing Center — and middle schools. It also has programs in some elementary classrooms, she added.

But Utash said she's found there's still a gap in understanding among young children, in the 4 to 9 age range, when it comes to careers in STEAM fields.

"They know what a nurse is. They know what a teacher is," she said. "They don't necessarily know what an engineer is. They don't know what a biologist is. They don't know what a pilot is, or what a drone operator is or somebody that's working in IT (information technology). Their frame of reference is very narrow. What we want to try to do is inspire children from a very early age to understand all the different careers that they could be in. We want to spark their curiosity. We want them to ask questions.

Royalties from sales of the books will go towards WSU Tech scholarships and other Tech initiatives.

Next two books will be "Beckham the Biologist" and "Paisley the Pilot".

They'll be working with local bookstores, libraries, schools, daycare's, and museums to get the book in the reach of more kids.

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Working to better collaborate with the community and enhance experiences.

WSU - Wichita State University strengthens its community support with new Office of Community Partnerships

Seeing an opportunity to support partnerships with the Wichita community, Wichita State University has established the new Office of Community Partnerships.

Under the new office, the Community Engagement Institute (CEI) and Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC), alongside other WSU affiliates such as the Small Business Development Center, will seamlessly support collaborations between the university and community partners.

The creation of the office was a joint effort led by Dr. Scott Wituk, CEI executive director, and Misty Bruckner, PPMC director.

“The office’s purpose is to serve as a backbone support and collaborative hub for those interested in community-focused initiatives,” Wituk said. “There are many faculty, departments and students who are doing amazing work in the community. We hope the office can help elevate those community partnerships, create new ones, offer opportunities to learn from each other and provide some infrastructure support to those interested.”

WSU has a long history of connecting with the community to support the campus, city and state, but university members will now have a hub that can not only strengthen existing partnerships but serves as a support structure for new opportunities and for new connections.

By making these new partnerships, faculty are given a tool that can enhance their students’ applied learning opportunities by developing those connections organically within their programs.

“I think this just fits in with the overall goal that Wichita State has to be a proven partner across the state to address real issues that our state is facing and preparing students for what it's like to go out into the workforce,” Bruckner said. “And I think this is just one more tool in the toolbox where Scott and I and the rest of us get to lean into what we do well.”

While the Office of Community Partnerships will provide opportunities for additional collaboration and connection for the centers that formally report through it, other Wichita State centers, offices and staff who have an interest in community-oriented services, projects and research can become affiliated with the office to help develop a supportive structure for similar interests and developments.

“By providing an infrastructure through the Office of Community Partnerships, we can continue to build upon and create new opportunities for faculty, staff and students to serve our state,” Bruckner said. “The Office of Community Partnerships is an intentional effort to connect, elevate and identify new opportunities to serve.”

The Office of Community Partnerships will report to WSU’s senior executive vice president and provost, Dr. Monica Lounsbery.

Those interested in learning more can contact Wituk at 316-619-1367 or scott.wituk@wichita.edu or Bruckner at 316-651-7247 or misty.bruckner@wichita.edu.

It's never a bad thing to improve and enhance community engagement and provide better resources for those who want to get involved in such outreach.

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A few updates.

WSU - Spring 2025 WSU campus expansion and renovation update

As you return to campus for the spring semester, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State’s 330 acres and beyond.   Wichita Biomedical Campus:


Construction work on the Wichita Biomedical Campus site continues.

Over the past two months, 44 pile caps, 765 lineal feet of perimeter foundation, and eight elevator pits have been completed. This required miles of rebar and hundreds of trucks of concrete.

Crews have begun blocking street lanes around the site. These lanes will be closed to traffic for almost two years. The tower crane foundation has been completed, and the crane should be fully erected by the end of February. Steel placement will begin once the tower crane is ready.

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

Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2026.

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University Stadium Phase 1A

Construction is underway on Phase 1A on the east side of University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium).

The first phase of construction includes bleacher seating, a pavilion building that will house ticketing, restrooms, and concessions as well as a plaza and parking lot between the stadium and Devlin Hall.

Phase 1A completion is scheduled for May 2025 before KSHSAA Track and Field State Championship on May 30-31.

Phase 1B will begin after KSHSAA Track and Field State Championship. Phase 1B will consist of widening the field and installing a nine-lane track.

Wilkins Stadium

Construction on the softball indoor practice facility next to Wilkins Stadium is underway. The steel structure is almost complete. The facility is scheduled to be complete in March 2025.

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Innovation Campus:


NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research  

Construction on the NIAR HAMR building continues to progress. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. 

The 170,000-square-foot building is partly funded by an EDA grant and will house advanced manufacturing research labs and associated offices. The building will be located on Innovation Boulevard between the Partnership Building 1 and The Suites. The first floor is primarily labs with offices on the second floor. 

Partnership Building 3B

P3B, located between Partnership Building 3 and The Smart Factory @Wichita, is under construction. It will house the Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).