Shocker Central

Your Alumni Community Hub

Shocker Central

Your Alumni Community Hub

Where Shockers Stay Connected

Shocker Central, powered by 12Twenty, is your comprehensive hub for staying connected with Wichita State University alumni.

Whether you’re fresh out of a cap and gown or nearing your Golden Reunion, you can connect with fellow Shockers through our Alumni Directory, join Communities based on location or shared interests, participate in Mentorship programs and contribute to employment research that helps future graduates.

Join Shocker Central

Alumni are pre-registered using their current email on file with the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement! Need to update your email? Use this form or contact wsu.alumni@wichita.edu.

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How-to Guide

See what Shocker Central has to offer:

  • Alumni Directory

    The Alumni Directory is your gateway to connecting with fellow Shockers across the globe. Use powerful search filters to find alumni by city, graduation term, industry, employer and more – making it easy to network, seek advice, or reconnect with classmates.

    Simply opt in to make yourself visible to other alumni and start building meaningful professional and personal connections within the Shocker community.

  • Communities

    Communities allow you to connect with fellow alumni through regional networks, including Washington, D.C., Kansas City and Dallas-Fort Worth; corporate networks, such as Koch Industries, Textron Aviation and USD259; and affinity-based networks like the Hispanic Alumni Network and Black Alumni Network.

    Join conversations, share experiences and stay engaged with Shockers who share your location or interests. Participate in group discussions, access exclusive content and build lasting relationships with alumni who understand your unique journey.

  • Mentorship Program

    The Mentorship program connects students and alumni for meaningful professional guidance and support.

    Opt in to serve as a mentor and share your expertise with the next generation of Shockers, or sign up as a mentee to gain valuable insights from experienced alumni in your field.

    Whether you’re looking to give back or seeking career advice, Shocker Central makes it easy to build these transformative one-on-one relationships within the WSU community.

  • Shocker Career Accelerator Services

    The Career Module is designed for students and graduates to support career exploration and early professional growth. Users can learn about upcoming career fairs, schedule appointments with career advisors through the Shocker Career Accelerator program, and search for entry level job opportunities.

Stay Connected

Submit your current contact details to ensure to ensure the WSU Alumni Engagement team has your most up-to-date contact information so you can stay informed on Shocker news, events, and more.

Update My Info

FAQs

  • Who Are We?

    Established in 1913, the WSU Alumni Association coalesced around a dedicated group of alumni led by Harry Shuler for the purpose of creating a Shocker community of university supporters. In tandem, the WSU Foundation, which was founded in 1965, has championed private support to advance the mission and vision of the university. With a combined 168 years of experience, the two organizations united in 2022 to create a single alumni-and-donor serving organization optimizing support of Shocker Nation through combined philanthropy and alumni engagement efforts.

    Our mission is to elevate, celebrate and advance Wichita State University through engagement and philanthropy. We do this by living our core values of integrity, collaboration, excellence and service in all our interactions with Shocker Nation.

  • Who governs the WSUFAE?

    A volunteer board of directors governs the WSUFAE. Currently, we have 19 voting members who meet three times a year. Members are elected and authorized to act on behalf of the National Advisory Council, a group of about 110 alumni and friends who promote Wichita State University and help guide the work we do.

  • What fees are assessed on gifts?

    WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement is an independent and private organization that receives only 9% of its operating budget from a contract-for-service with the University. Therefore, 5% of all money raised is invested in the capacity of our staff to increase private support provided to WSU.

    Endowment Administrative Fee:
    On July 1 of each year, all endowed funds are charged an administrative fee based on a 20-quarter rolling average of market values. A 1.65% fee is assessed on funds with market values =/>80% of net gift value. A 1.5% fee is assessed on funds with market values 76-79% of net gift value, excluding funds where donors overrode board policy. A 0% fee is assessed on funds with market values =/<75% of net gift value, excluding funds where donors overrode board policy.

    Liquidation Fee:
    The WSUFAE assesses a 5% liquidation fee on estate gifts as they are received.

    Gift Fees:
    A one-time fee of 5% is assessed on all incoming gifts, including endowments. A 20% fee is assessed on gifts to the Shocker Fund, excluding contributions from faculty & staff, to offset costs for student callers and operational expenses.

  • How are the WSUFAE’s fundraising priorities determined?

    Each college is assigned at least one development staff member who discusses priorities with the college dean. Deans present their priorities to the WSUFAE’s leadership team, and the WSUFAE president and CEO then discusses these priorities with the WSU president and provost to determine which will be emphasized during the coming year.

  • What happens once a gift is contributed to the WSUFAE?

    The gift will be placed in an existing or new fund, depending on the donor’s designation. If it is a current fund, the gift may be spent in its entirety. If it is an endowed fund, it will be invested so as to exist in perpetuity. A portion of earnings from endowed funds are distributed annually to the university recipients.

  • Why is private support important?

    WSU is a state-assisted public university, with state support providing about 25% of the university’s educational costs. The remainder comes from sources including tuition, auxiliary services, grands and contracts, and private philanthropic support. Private support is critical to help create a margin of excellence that is unattainable without it.