Student Engagement and Belonging

Student Engagement and Belonging is a major department within the Division of Student Affairs dedicated to fostering meaningful connections, creating transformative experiences, and cultivating a strong sense of belonging at Wichita State University. Through vibrant student organizations, campus traditions and large-scale events, we empower students to get involved and take ownership of their WSU experience. We celebrate community and culture by supporting programs that reflect the voices and lived experiences of our student body as we champion personal and professional growth through leadership development and initiatives that encourage students to create positive change on campus and beyond.

Whether through student-led initiatives, cross-campus collaborations or community partnerships, Student Engagement and Belonging is committed to designing welcoming, high-impact programs and services that enhance the student journey, promote well-being, advance student belonging and support student success from orientation to graduation. Student Engagement and Belonging is made up of four major Core Areas:

  1. Student Activities and Engagement consists of fraternity and sorority life, campus activities, civic engagement, campus traditions, the Community Service Board and the Student Activities Council. Staff support agencies of the student government such as the Shockers Vote! Coalition and so much more!
  2. Student Belonging and Experiences consists of academic and retention programs, Promoting Academic Student Success (PASS), student scholar programs, academic excellence, student belonging coalition and student experiences. Staff support over 250 student scholars and agencies of the student government.
  3. Student Governance and Advocacy consists of the National Student Exchange, student organizations, Shocker Experience Program, Passage 2 Success, the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker, and the Student Government Association. Staff support over 275+ student organizations and agencies of the student government such as the First-Generation Student Organization.
  4. Strengths, Leadership and Student Impact consists of the Shocker Strengths Program, leadership programs, leadership institutes, and assessment programs.

Through the Student Engagement and Belonging department, students can learn how to get involved with:

  • WSU events and traditions,
  • Greek life,
  • Community service,
  • Leadership development opportunities,
  • National Student Exchange,
  • Student government,
  • And so much more!

Student Government Association

Wichita State believes that one of its primary tasks is preparing students for the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society. With this in mind, the University places an increasing emphasis on the role the Student Government Association plays on campus.

The legislative, executive and judicial responsibilities of SGA are vested in the Student Senate, the executive officers and cabinet, and the SGA Supreme Court. The senate appoints students to many university and faculty senate committees, recognizes and funds more than 300 student organizations, and allocates approximately $10 million annually in student fees to campus agencies including the Heskett Center, Rhatigan Student Center and Student Health Services. SGA also provides opportunities to fund education through scholarships. The scholarships include the James J. Rhatigan Leadership Scholarship, SGA International Student Scholarship, SGA Endowed Scholarship and the SGA Endowed Summer Scholarship.

Students come first. Each student is automatically a member of SGA and is eligible to vote in the annual elections in April. Throughout the year, openings exist on the Student Senate, as well as in many of the university committees. All students are encouraged to participate in student government through the many opportunities SGA offers.

For more information, contact the Student Government Association, 219 Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University; 316-978-3480, sga@wichita.edu.

Recognized Student Organizations

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) are granted the privileges of university recognition if they are registered with Student Engagement and Belonging. To be approved, each organization must create a profile on the WSU ShockerSync website, which can be accessed through myWSU. As part of the profile, each organization must list their officers with contact information, upload a copy of the organization's constitution and bylaws, and list an advisor’s name and contact information. Once an organization has provided all necessary information, it may be granted official recognition by Student Engagement and Belonging which means it may use Wichita State in its name, use university venues for meetings/events, use university marketing resources, request funds from SGA in accordance with established procedures and guidelines, and be listed as a WSU organization in university publications. Records of recognized student organizations are maintained in Student Engagement and Belonging.

For more information on how to become a recognized student organization, please see the Student Engagement and Belonging website.

For a list of currently recognized student organizations, visit the WSU ShockerSync website.