Engineering Student Success Center Staff

Dr. Larry Whitman
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education
larry.whitman@wichita.edu
(316) 978-5907

Family: Wife: Heidi; Joshua and David – sons

Degree: PhD in Industrial Engineering

Position - Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education:
I coordinate the Engineering Student Success Center to increase enrollment in and graduates from the College of Engineering at Wichita State.

Favorite thing about College of Engineering: The people – it is great to work in a College where people actually want to see students graduate.

Best thing about being a shocker: The People! That is what makes WSU great. The people are the best. They want to help you get the job done right, and they want to support the students to reach their goals.

Best advice to a high school Senior: Practice study habits – turn homework in on time and do more than just “learn for the test.” A lot of the early classes are pre-requisites for later classes. You really need to learn the material to succeed in the next class.

Best advice to a Wichita State Junior: Think now about your resume when you graduate. Think about what you want it to look like and pursue activities so your resume can look like that when you graduate. For example, if you want your resume to show experience, obtain multiple co-op positions. Another example, if you want your resume to show leadership potential, join a student organization as a junior (or before) and become a leader in that organization as a senior.

Karen Reynolds
Director of Recruiting and Retention
karen.reynolds@wichita.edu
(316) 978-6475

Family:  Loving husband, two great sons, one wonderful dog

Degree: Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with emphasis in mathematics and education

Position - Directorof Recruiting and Retention:

My job is to help ensure that we fill the engineering pipeline to meet the growing need for engineers. We will do that by exposing young students to the world of engineering and providing experiences that help students choose the path that is right for them. When students choose engineering at WSU, we will provide them the support and tools they need to succeed in higher education and their future careers.

Favorite thing about College of Engineering: Our team. Everyone here wants the same things – to help students succeed and to be the very best College of Engineering in the region. And being here right now, when the need for qualified engineers and other STEM graduates is so high, we have the chance to be part of something really special and make a difference.

Best place to study on campus:  In good weather, there’s nothing better than a bench outside on WSU’s beautiful campus

Best thing about being a Shocker: Being a Shocker is a source of pride for me. It’s like being part of a big family and you get this kind of warm, comfortable, relaxed feeling because you’re with people you care about and with whom you share so many things. And, of course, I love WuShock!

Best advice to a high school Senior: Hang in there! The only thing better than being a senior is being a graduate.

Best advice to a Wichita State Junior: You’re almost there. You’re over the hump and you have laid the groundwork. It just gets better from here on.

Ana Lazarin
Director of Programs to Broaden Participation in Engineering
ana.lazarin@wichita.edu
(316) 978-6314

Family: Husband - Diego Lazarin

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Masters Degree in Counseling

Position - Director of Programs to Broaden Participation in Engineering:
I coordinate outreach events, recruiting and retention of underrepresented students in engineering.

Hobbies: DANCING, traveling, shopping, spending time with family and friends, dining out, watching TV, going to museums, theatres, sightseeing, etc.

Describe yourself in one word: Persevering

Favorite thing about Wichita State: Home basketball games

Favorite thing about College of Engineering: The students, sense of cohesiveness among the students and pride in their engineering studies.

Best advice to a high school Senior: Apply for scholarships and financial aid EARLY!

"I am passionate about motivating students to pursue higher education, especially in the STEM fields as I was the first person in my family to graduate from high school and college and to obtain a degree in engineering."

Karin Carlson
Engineering Registration Professional
karin.carlson@wichita.edu
(316) 978-6305

Family:  Husband (a fellow Shocker grad), cat named Jelley

Degree:  Bachelor of Business Administration – Entrepreneurship
               Bachelor of Arts – integrated Marketing Communication

Position - Engineering Registration Professional:
I assist engineering undergraduate students with all things related to their academic record –transfer credit questions, degree audits, registration/enrollment issues, prerequisite checks, minor questions, etc.  We do a little bit of everything around here.  If we don’t have the answer, we’ll steer you in the right direction.

Hobbies:  music, dessert tasting, being healthy, rhyming, officiating an occasional wedding, movie watching
Favorite thing about Wichita State:  Parking.  But seriously, the campus is pretty.  Spring + the tulips=a beautiful walk across campus.  And in the fall the trees are GORGEOUS.

Best place to study on campus:  Donald L. Beggs Hall, where every seat is a window seat!

Best thing about being a shocker:  While others bleed red, we bleed black and gold.  But seriously, the metropolitan advantage and scholarship opportunities available to students make being a shocker great.

Kaytie Brozek
Engineering Registration Professional
kaytie.brozek@wichita.edu
(316) 978-6500

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
              Master of Science in College Student Personnel (In Progress)
 

Position - Engineering Registration Professional:
I primarily work one-on-one with students for academic planning from semester schedule building to teaching students tips & tricks of navigating their higher education.

Describe yourself in one word: Dynamic!

Hobbies: School! I am currently wrapping up my Master’s degree in College Student Personnel. I also enjoy shopping, travelling, and the great outdoors!

Favorite thing about Wichita State: How being a Shocker is like being a part of a huge family of Shockers both in our community and around the world!

Andrea Holzwarth
Recruitment Coordinator
andrea.holzwarth@wichita.edu
(316) 978-5914

Degree: Bachelors of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication

Position - Recruitment Coordinator:
I implement recruitment strategies for the CoE. I recruit high school students as well as community college transfer students interested in math, science and engineering. I also design marketing materials to promote the CoE.

Favorite thing about Wichita State: My favorite thing about Wichita State is our experience-based and work based learning experiences that you can receive as an undergraduate student through the cooperative education office. When I was a student, I was able to intern at two different organizations where found my passion for recruiting students to higher education.

Favorite thing about College of Engineering: The Engineer of 2020 program. I love that the CoE is stepping up and graduating engineers who are work force ready.

Best thing about being a shocker: The best thing about being a shocker is the connections you receive, as a student you are connected to numerous alumni in your area of study who want nothing more than to help you succeed. The faculty and staff at Wichita State are second to none, they want the best for you and are willing to help you achieve your dreams.

Anna Sharpe
Retention Coordinator
anna.sharpe@wichita.edu
(316) 978-6363

Family: Husband, Married 1 year

Degree:  Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Position - Retention Coordinator:
My job is to assist engineering students achieve their goal of becoming a successful engineer by ensuring they get the help they need to graduate.

Hobbies: Piano, Horseback Riding, Ice Skating, Sewing, Sports, Reading

Favorite thing about Wichita State: I love how WSU is not your typical college campus. We are located in a large metropolitan area, which gives students more opportunities and allows us to work with a more diverse group.

Favorite thing about College of Engineering: The education, students from WSU’s CoE get an amazing education that gives them a good understanding of both the fundamentals and their own discipline. This education prepares them for their first engineering job or higher education if they desire.

Jackie Staley
Student Records Assistant
jackie.staley@wichita.edu
(316) 978-6303

Family: Daughter – Tasha, Son – Shawn, 6 grandchildren: Mychelle, Michael, Daviaun, Zrewiaun, Marleigh, Taighler

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Management Information Systems

Position - Engineering Student Records Assistant:
I assist engineering undergraduate students with all things related to their academic record –transfer credit questions, degree audits, registration/enrollment issues, major changes, prerequisite checks, adviser assignments, minor questions, etc.  I also assist in commencement ceremonies.

Best advice to a high school Senior: Choose a college that you feel comfortable at.

Best advice to a Wichita State Junior: Don’t give up.  Keep going to the end.

Best place to relax on campus: Under any shade tree.

Best place to study on campus: Library