Wichita State University is proud to recognize Irene Campos as the winner of the 2020
Mark and Stacy Parkinson Scholarship, which awards incoming freshmen $34,000 over
four years.
Founded by Mark, former governor of Kansas, and Stacy Parkinson in 2019, the scholarship
awards funds to first-generation immigrant students in Kansas to help offset the cost
of their college education.
According to the scholarship guidelines, the Parkinsons welcome and respect all immigrants
and refugees. They believe that immigrants are the heritage and fabric of our country
and are committed to the idea that people with differing thoughts, cultures and experiences
make our communities vibrant and robust.
While studying at Wichita West High School, Irene has been an ambassador for Gear
Up, the Wichita Riverfest, the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council and AVID,
as well as serving as the president of the school’s National Honor Society.
As the child of immigrants, she has a unique view of the world. She plans to earn
a degree in criminal justice at WSU to help change and improve the justice system
so that immigrant families similar to her own no longer need to live in fear of being
ripped apart.
When she graduates, Irene said she is interested in becoming a homicide detective,
forensic psychologist, law enforcement officer or immigration lawyer. She wants to
serve those who are often too scared to reach out for help.
Wichita State is distinctive for opening pathways to applied learning, applied research
and career opportunities, alongside unsurpassed classroom, laboratory and online education.
The university's beautiful 330-acre main campus is a supportive, rapidly expanding
learn-work-live-play environment, where students gain knowledge and credentials to
prepare for fulfilling lives and careers. Students enjoy a wide selection of day,
evening and summer courses in more than 200 areas of study at the main campus and
other locations throughout the metro area and online. WSU's approximately 16,000 students
come from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 other countries. Wichita State's
Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories
and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have
access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow
us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.
