November 4, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

Tomorrow we begin Raiders First Celebration Week, recognizing our first-year and first-generation students and the important milestones they are reaching this semester. With spring registration now underway, this is also an opportunity to help students look ahead, connect with resources and continue making progress toward their academic goals.

Over the next several days, colleges and campus partners will host registration events, student activities, financial aid and scholarship support and opportunities to celebrate our first-generation community on both the Dayton and Lake Campuses. I especially encourage faculty and staff who identify as first-generation college graduates to attend the First-Generation Faculty and Staff Social on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in 101 Student Success Center.

Please continue to share these opportunities with your students and participate when your schedule allows. Even a brief conversation encouraging a student to register for next semester, attend an event or connect with a campus resource can reinforce that they belong at Wright State and that we are invested in their success.

Thank you for the many ways you support our students throughout their Wright State experience.

Benefits Open Enrollment

The 2027 Benefits Open Enrollment period runs from Nov. 2 through Nov. 16. Benefits Open Enrollment is a once-a-year opportunity for benefit-eligible employees to review their current benefit elections and make any necessary changes for the upcoming year.

All benefit-eligible employees are required to take action to waive, terminate, continue or enroll in coverage for 2027. Elections made during open enrollment take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. For more details, including informational session dates and times, visit the open enrollment webpage.

Register for our Fall Commencement Ceremonies

Commencement marks a significant moment in the lives of our students and their families. The granting of a degree and the admission to the “rights and privileges” associated with a given degree are extraordinarily important events for graduating students.

The presence of faculty is especially important to graduates and their families. All faculty should prioritize their attendance, and bargaining unit faculty are reminded of their responsibility under Article 7.4.8.

All faculty are encouraged to attend one or both fall commencement ceremonies in the Wright State Nutter Center. Registration is required and is open now through Nov. 24. Register online.

Graduate Ceremony: Friday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.

Undergraduate Ceremony: Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.

Information about renting regalia from the Wright State Bookstore was emailed last week, with a deadline of Nov. 14. You can also find this information on the commencement website. If you have questions about regalia rental, please contact merchteam@ecampus.com.

Integrating Coursera Content into Pilot

With Wright State’s expanded access to Coursera Career Academy Plus, faculty can now seamlessly incorporate Coursera content directly into their Pilot courses using the Coursera LTI integration. Faculty may embed entire Coursera courses, individual modules, assignments, videos, specializations or professional certificates within Pilot while maintaining a consistent learning experience for students. Course and assignment grades can also be synchronized with the Pilot gradebook, providing additional flexibility when integrating Coursera content into coursework.

Faculty can request a guide to help integrate Coursera content into their courses by emailing Provost@wright.edu. The guide includes information on identifying appropriate content, embedding Coursera resources into Pilot and configuring gradebook settings.

Coursera also hosts Curriculum Integration Office Hours every Wednesday at noon to help faculty identify, embed and manage Coursera content in Pilot. Faculty must register in advance to receive the meeting link.

Faculty with questions about integrating Coursera content in their courses or aligning it with learning outcomes can contact Provost@wright.edu.

When a Student Needs Support

Wright.edu/help is a great resource for helping students or making referrals. This site contains contact information for emergency or essential departments that can assist your students all in one location.

The Student Success Navigator showcases the wide range of resources designed to support our students. Whether students are interested in joining a student organization, looking for access to mental health services, playing a sport or finding a job, all information is available in one central location.

I am grateful for your dedication to promoting student success. I hope you have a wonderful and productive week!

Jim Denniston, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost