Dear Colleagues,
This week, we continue celebrating our inaugural Raiders First Celebration Week, honoring Wright State’s first-year and first-generation students. With more than 1,900 first-year students and over 30% of our student body identifying as first-generation, this week recognizes their resilience and pioneering spirit that enriches our university community.
There are still several events scheduled this week, and I encourage you to share these opportunities with your students and participate when possible:
Wednesday, November 5
- Lakers First Social Mixer: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Laker Lounge, Lake Campus
- College of Liberal Arts Café: noon–2 p.m., Allyn Hall Lounge
- Take Flight Abroad: 3–5 p.m., 101 Student Success Center
Thursday, November 6
- Frame Your Future with the College of Health, Education, and Human Services: 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Millett Hall Atrium
- Campus-Wide Celebration: 1–3 p.m., Dixon Hearth Lounge (near the Student Union Market)
Friday, November 7
- Legos with the College of Engineering and Computer Science: noon–2 p.m., Russ Engineering Center Lobby
Let’s take this opportunity to connect with students and celebrate their achievements as they build futures that uplift families and communities.
Events
The Center for Faculty Excellence is offering AI in a Context of Co-Constructed Kindness and Care: Student Perspectives on Friday, November 7, from 12:20 to 1:45 p.m. in 163 Rike Hall.
Dr. Romena Holbert will facilitate a panel discussion with students from a variety of disciplines, followed by circle conversations with faculty and peers that integrate perspectives on AI usage and the Pedagogy of Kindness. Themes addressed will include kindness versus niceness, setting personal and professional boundaries effectively and communicating them with kindness, understanding and having empathy for the complexities of individuals’ lives, and believing students.
Registration is not required. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate if they are able.
Benefits Open Enrollment
The 2026 Benefits Open Enrollment period runs from November 1 through November 14. Benefits Open Enrollment is a once-a-year opportunity for benefit-eligible employees to reflect on their current benefit elections and make necessary changes for the upcoming year.
All benefit-eligible employees are required to take action to waive, terminate, continue, or enroll in coverage for 2026. Elections made during open enrollment take effect on January 1, 2026. For more details, including informational session dates and times, visit the open enrollment webpage.
Combined Community Campaign
Wright State employees have a long tradition of supporting local causes, and this fall we continue that commitment through the Combined Community Campaign. This year’s campaign partners with Culture Works and the United Way, focusing on strengthening our external community.
Learn more about each partner and how to donate at wright.edu/combined-campaign. Donors will be entered into raffles for items generously provided by our partners.
Contact Lisa Ragan at 937-775-2919 or lisa.ragan@wright.edu with any questions. Together, we can continue to transform lives across our university and community.
Exploring Microcredentials in Higher Education with Coursera
Faculty are invited to join an interactive virtual session hosted by Coursera on November 19 at 2 p.m., featuring faculty from the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of Texas at El Paso. The session will highlight their Microcredentials Summer Institute, designed to help faculty intentionally integrate industry-recognized microcredentials into course and curriculum design.
Presenters will share their experiences launching these initiatives, discuss key lessons learned, and offer practical strategies for engaging faculty and sustaining momentum. This free event will also provide an opportunity for discussion and networking with peers from across higher education. Faculty and staff are encouraged to register and explore how similar approaches could be adapted to their own programs.
Register for our Fall Commencement Ceremonies
Commencement is an event that 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 those receiving degrees.
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 November 25. Register online.
Graduate Ceremony: Friday, December 12, 7 p.m.
Undergraduate Ceremony: Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m.
Information about renting regalia from the Wright State Bookstore was emailed last month, with a deadline of November 15. You can also find this information on the commencement website. If you have questions about regalia rental, please contact merchteam@ecampus.com.
ADA Title II Digital Accessibility Compliance
We are now less than six months away from the federal compliance deadline for ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements. By April 24, 2026, all university web and digital content — including course materials, mobile apps, and third-party tools — must meet WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA standards to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
This applies to:
- University websites and online platforms (e.g., Pilot)
- Course content such as PDFs, videos, images, and graphs
- Assignments, exams, and projects
- External tools and resources linked or embedded in courses
Resources are available to help faculty review and update course materials, including accessibility guides, evaluation tools, and consultations. Start preparing now to ensure compliance and support an inclusive learning environment.
Learn more and access resources
Submit an Early Alert to Connect Students with Support
Faculty play a critical role in supporting student success by identifying challenges early. If you notice a student who may need extra help, you can raise an early alert through the Slate Student Success Portal, enabling timely interventions from various campus teams. The Slate Student Success Portal can be accessed through WINGS using your Wright State username and password.
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 available 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.
