WSU Tech Foundation Funding Priorities
Putting Students First IN ALL WE DO
Funding Priorities
Student Focused Initiatives
We Help Students Gain Experience
The WSU Tech Foundation helps to change the lives of students through scholarships, emergency loans and other student-focused initiatives thanks to generous private gifts, community contributions and employee support.
Your gifts give students the opportunity to gain the education and experience to fill the talent pipeline in our community. Every gift makes a world of difference in the life of a WSU Tech student.
National Institute for Culinary and Hospitality Education (NICHE)
The National Institute for Culinary and Hospitality Education (NICHE) will be operated by WSU Tech in the heart of downtown Wichita. NICHE will be home to the college’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality programming and will feature an open-to-the-public food hall and rooftop event center.
Naming rights are available throughout the facility. To learn more or to schedule a tour of the facility, contact Courtney Sendall (csendall@wsutech.edu or 316.677.1034). Visit the NICHE website here: NICHEks.com.
Need-Based Scholarships
It’s no secret that students pursuing higher education face mounting financial challenges. During a typical year, the Foundation and College provide financial support and scholarships to more than 250 WSU Tech students. With 41% of WSU Tech students being Pell eligible and 62% being first generation students, financial support for need-based scholarships is more critical than ever before to help students achieve their dreams. Students like Simona, who sent this note to her scholarship donor:
“Thank you for your donation to help students like me with college tuition and fees. I cannot express enough how much of a difference you have made in my life. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have a career and the opportunity to open my own small business in the future. I will be forever grateful and will not forget how your kindness helped me when it seemed like there were no other options.”
You can help students reach their goals by establishing an annual or endowed scholarship today.
Academic Support
WSU Tech offers more than 100 degree and certificate options, with philanthropic opportunities existing within each one. Your gift could provide new equipment, instructor support, capital improvements, and more.
• Automotive
• Aviation
• Business
• Computer Science
• Construction Trades
• Culinary & Hospitality
• Design
• General Education
• Healthcare
• Law Enforcement
• Manufacturing
Several programs that provide for basic needs of students are funded through the Foundation each year.
- H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Eat) Food Pantry – Located a three WSU Tech campuses, the pantries are stocked with non-perishable food and personal hygiene products. They are available to students, faculty and staff on a no-questions-asked basis and can be accessed once every two weeks.
- Emergency Loans and Grants – The purpose of the Emergency Fund is to meet temporary and minor financial emergencies that may arise while a student attends college. Examples may include program tools or supplies, rental and utility assistance, vehicle repairs, and more.
Your gift to these programs ensures that food and housing insecurity to do not prevent students from seeking training for high-wage, high-demand jobs.
Support of other college-run programs is essential to their success and sustainability.
Accessibility Summer Camp – The Accessibility Summer Camp is an annual conference with the goal of providing accessibility training that empowers attendees to create quality, accessible learning environments and to remove barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn.
FutureMaker Mobile Learning Lab — The FutureMaker is a partnership between WSU Tech and Goodwill Industries of Kansas that travels the state introducing middle, high school, and GED seeking students to careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Girls Rock Science – The Girls Rock Science Camp invites girls entering grades 3rd through 8th to engage in learning opportunities and imagine future career possibilities in STEAM.
Healthcare Scenario Day – Healthcare Scenario Day gives students in a variety of healthcare programs (Practical Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician, Registered Nursing, Police Science, Phlebotomy, EKG Tech, Paramedic and Physician Assistant) to participate in a series of scenario-based learning experiences.
Makers of the Plains STEM Camp — The Makers of the Plains Youth STEM Camp aims to increase the number of high school students enrolled in Career and Technical Education/STEM programs. By participating in hands-on activities in a variety of themes, engaging in discussions with industry partners and learning about pathways, 7th-10th graders engage with the limitless possibilities in STEM careers.
Manufacturing Day — During this one-day event, students from area high schools participate in six different manufacturing-related activities located throughout the National Center for Aviation Training. The goal of the event is to introduce students to the multitude of high-wage, high-demand career options in the field of manufacturing.
To learn more about how you can support any of these programs, contact Courtney Sendall (csendall@wsutech.edu or 316.677.1034).
