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Wichita. KAN—

To Emily Cass, there’s no such thing as a “normal” day on the job. As the Gallery Manager at Harvester Arts, her workdays are filled with creativity, spontaneity, and the occasional bit of chaos. One day she’s coordinating Clown Camps or hosting art galas; the next, she’s saving the day by calling in last-minute dancers to liven up the Wichita Influencer Conference.

For Cass, it all began during a major transition in her life as a Wichita State University student. She originally set out to become a public school art teacher, earning her undergraduate degree in art education with an emphasis in drawing and painting. She even completed her student teaching before realizing her career path was evolving into something broader.

Cass credits her love for education to her mother, who was also a teacher.

“She would always talk about the beauty of a sentence and how just one sentence can hold so much value,” Cass said. “My mom also went to Wichita State, and raved about her education teachers.”

Despite her success, Cass is no stranger to the jokes and misunderstandings that often surround an art degree. She’s had her fair share of encounters with people who dismiss her field, calling other majors “real subjects.” But rather than let that discourage her, Cass sees it as a reminder of why she must protect her passion.

“Everyone I met at Wichita State—my teachers, my advisors, my peers—it was just a very positive, valuable experience for me,” she said. “It showed me the importance of art education and what it brings to people’s lives.”

Today, Cass puts both of her degrees to work in her professional life. Along with managing the Harvester Arts Gallery, she also teaches at the Wichita Art Museum.

“I still work with many of the same people I knew from Wichita State,” Cass said. “It’s really cool to have been their student and now, in some way, their peer.”

Cass admitted that, at first, she feared entering the workforce with a degree many employers might not value. But through years of exploring opportunities and speaking with students across different disciplines, she learned that her path was not only valid—it was vital.

“I realized that everyone has that sense of imposter syndrome,” Cass said. “You wonder, ‘Am I valid being here? Is this path valid?’ But I came to see how universal that feeling is. And honestly, I decided I don’t care. I think the arts are 100 percent essential. If I stop myself from pursuing them out of fear, I’m denying the truth of who I am.”

After graduation, Cass briefly worked in the Wichita Public School District (USD 259), but her instincts told her she belonged more deeply in the world of arts organizations. She returned to Wichita State to earn her master’s degree in leadership and management, a decision that eventually led her to Harvester Arts.

“Keep going,” she advises students. “Even when times feel rough or existentially pointless, you’re here for a reason. You’re following this path because something in you knows it’s important. Keep following that—because one day you’ll look back and be thankful that you did.”

Though Cass has moved beyond the halls of Wichita State, a part of her Shocker spirit remains in her work. Harvester Arts features a student gallery that showcases a wide range of artwork from Wichita State students, providing space for emerging artists to experiment and grow. The gallery consistently rotates its exhibitions, offering a platform that reflects the diversity and creativity of the university community.

For Cass, the gallery isn’t just a workplace—it’s a continuation of the values she learned at Wichita State: collaboration, curiosity, and the courage to keep creating, no matter who’s watching.

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