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Melanie Rivera-Cortez

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter

Melanie Rivera-Cortez is a second-year reporter for The Sunflower.

All content by Melanie Rivera-Cortez
A digital makeup of what Wilkins Stadium will look like after all renovations take place.

Wilkins Stadium renovation set to cost $17.5 million

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
February 12, 2023
Students look through the Shocker Support Locker for different food or hygiene products. The locker offered free products to students, faculty and staff Monday through Friday.

Food insecurity threatens the mental, physical health of college students

Allison Campbell and Melanie Rivera-Cortez
December 24, 2022
Student Body President John Kirk talks among his faculty members. On Nov 30, the Faculty Senate hosted a mixer to engage students.

Student Body President John Kirk opens up about his mental health

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
December 1, 2022
Senior James Rojas goes up for a two point basket against Central Arkansas at Charles Koch Arena on Nov. 7.

Poised for a homecoming, James Rojas adds veteran experience

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
November 20, 2022
Jillian Carroll Letrinko rushes onto to the Court to greet Shocker Fans on Oct. 27 at Shocker Madness.

Fans can expect a new energy at game days

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 13, 2022
Senior forward Jane Asinde goes to make a pass during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern on Nov. 1 at Charles Koch Arena. Asinde had 15 points and 17 rebounds.

Jane Asinde uses improved confidence and homesickness as motivation

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 8, 2022
Head Coach Keitha Adams speaks to her team during Shocker Madness on Oct. 27 in Charles Koch Arena.

‘We’re hungry and we want more’: Keitha Adams wants to beat odds against team

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 3, 2022
The Shockers celebrate their first home win of the season on Sept. 23 in Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers defeated Temple 3-0.

Volleyball wins first conference road game this season

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
October 15, 2022
Redshirt junior Brylee Kelly goes up to spike the ball during the match against UCF on Oct. 2 at Charles Koch Arena.

‘We played a little cleaner than they did:’ volleyball beats Memphis in five sets

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
October 8, 2022
Lauren McMahon tips the ball during the match against UCF on Oct. 2 at Charles Koch Arena.

‘It was hard to watch:’ No.24 Central Florida sweeps volleyball

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
October 3, 2022
Mourners at the Memorial 70 on Oct. 2, 2022 listen to Go Rest High on That Mountain by Vince Gill.

52 years later university athletic community remembers the ‘70 plane crash

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
October 3, 2022
Aston Castillo watches his ball fly. Castillo, a junior, practiced his short game during practice on Sept. 23 at Crestview Country Club.

Men’s golf utilizes full roster for season

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
October 2, 2022
The Shockers celebrate their first home win of the season on Sept. 23 in Charles Koch Arena. The Shockers defeated Temple 3-0.

Charles Koch Arena will be American Athletic Conference host site due to Hurricane Ian

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
September 29, 2022
Sophmore Morgan Webber celebrates after a win against Temple on Sept. 23 at Charles Koch Arena. Weber recorded four kills and 10 digs.

Morgan Weber helps Wichita State pick up their second conference win

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
September 25, 2022
Wichita State junior Brock Pohill takes a swing during the Shocker Cup on Sept. 17, 2020.

Men’s golf finishes in middle of the pack at opening season tournament

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
September 21, 2022
Shirley Lefever, Executive Vice President and Provost, addressed the new Koch Scholars at the presidents house on Sept. 14.

Koch Scholars celebrate scholarship at president’s residence

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
September 17, 2022
Students, staff and faculty sit in on the Teaching Matters luncheon on Sept. 9 in the RSC.

Teaching Matters delves into how to improve student retention

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
September 12, 2022
Junior Sophia Rohling looks for the serve during the game against Kent State University on Sept. 10, 2022 at Horejsi Family Volleyball Center.

Volleyball drops two matches in Lawrence

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
September 9, 2022
The Wichita State volleyball team celebrates after scoring a point during their match against Creighton on Sept. 18 inside Charles Koch Arena.

Volleyball goes 2-1 at Omaha Challenge

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
September 3, 2022
Following the removal of the mask mandate on March 3, the Shocker Spirit Squad enters Koch Arena unmasked before the mens basketball game against East Carolina on March 5, 2022.

‘Respect the athlete:’ Cheer team strives to remove stereotype

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
September 2, 2022
Senior Brett Herrman gets ready to hit the ball at a team table tennis practice on Aug. 16. Herrman has been on the team during his entire academic career.

Seniors encourage others to get active outside of common sports

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
August 30, 2022
Sophomore Sophia Rohling and freshman Morgan Stout jump to block the ball against memphis on Nov. 26 last season. The Shockers won the match 3 - 1.

Volleyball splits at Rumble in the Rockies

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
August 27, 2022
OPINION: Romanticizing school will motivate you to succeed

OPINION: Romanticizing school will motivate you to succeed

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
August 24, 2022
Junior Kayce Litzau prepares to serve the ball against Central Florida on Oct. 1, 2021 inside Charles Koch Arena.

Kayce Litzau leads student body of athletes

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
August 22, 2022
Wichita State players celebrate after a win against Kent State University on September 10 at Horejsi Family Volleyball Center.

‘We know that the pressure is on:’ volleyball’s expectations are high

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
August 21, 2022
Woolsey Hall will be the new home to the W. Frank Barton School of Business, which was previously in Clinton Hall. Clinton Hall will be converted into the university’s student success center. The center will be a privately funded project.

Woolsey Hall set to open, giving the business school a new home

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
August 15, 2022
Roger Shurtz was named Wichita States track and field and cross country teams new director of operations on Thursday, Aug. 11.

Track and field and cross country names next director of operations

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
August 12, 2022
Graduate finds her place and passion in Wichita

Graduate finds her place and passion in Wichita

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
May 12, 2022
Political science department holds panel to analyze the Ukraine crisis

Political science department holds panel to analyze the Ukraine crisis

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
March 24, 2022
Screenshot from Facebook livestream.

‘Sankofa’ film panel discusses the absence of representation for Black people in Wichita

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
February 23, 2022
Lawrence Ross, author, historian and activist, speaks to students, staff and public figures about the nature of racism and discrimination on college campuses on Feb. 10th, 2022 at the Rhatigan Student Center.

Author Lawrence Ross speaks to students about campus racism

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
February 12, 2022
Applications open for six different SGA scholarships

Applications open for six different SGA scholarships

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Reporter
February 11, 2022
OPINION: The Winter Olympics are fascinating

OPINION: The Winter Olympics are fascinating

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Columnist
February 10, 2022
Senior Mariah McCully dribbles up the court during the game agaisnt ORU on Dec 1 at Charles Koch Arena.

McCully’s 24 points helps leads women’s basketball to best start in program history

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
December 3, 2021
DJ McCarty drives the ball towards the basket during the game against Northwestern State on Nov. 29 inside Charles Koch Arena.

McCarty guides the Shockers to victory against Northwestern State

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
December 1, 2021
Mariah McCully defends the basketball during the game against Chicago State on Nov. 9 inside Charles Koch Arena.

Wichita State cruises to second straight win against Alcorn State

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 27, 2021
Seraphine Bastin looks towards the sideline during the game against Chicago State on Nov. 9 inside Charles Koch Arena.

Women’s Basketball responds with victory over Prairie View

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 24, 2021
Women’s basketball showcases strong offensive performance in the season opener

Women’s basketball showcases strong offensive performance in the season opener

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 10, 2021
OPINION: Why we should drop old trends and find new ones

OPINION: Why we should drop old trends and find new ones

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Columnist
November 9, 2021
Freshman Carla Budane poses for a photo during media day on Oct. 13 inside Charles Koch Arena.

Sophomore Carla Budane ready for a normal year

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 8, 2021
D.J. McCarty prepares to shoot a three-pointer during the exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 4 inside Charles Koch Arena.

McCarty poised for leadership role

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 8, 2021
Junior Jane Asinde drives towards the basketball during an exhibition game against Missouri Southern State on Nov. 5 inside Charles Koch Arena.

Women’s basketball program cruises to victory in exhibition game

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Sports Reporter
November 5, 2021
OPINION: NWSL needs to do better

OPINION: NWSL needs to do better

Melanie Rivera-Cortez, Columnist
October 8, 2021
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