Abigail Hammack, a native Wichitan, came to Wichita State because of the great reputation of the public administration program with applied learning opportunities. During her time at WSU, she was able to work as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Public Policy & Management Center at WSU and a Management Intern at the City of Andover.

Abigail is one of more than 3,500 students eligible for spring 2021 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.

What degree did you earn?

Master’s of Public Administration.

What led you to Wichita State to begin?

I am a Wichita native and I knew WSU had a strong public administration program with opportunities for applied learning.

How are you feeling leading up to graduation?

I am incredibly excited to graduate. I feel prepared to re-enter the workforce full-time and get more involved in the community.

What has been your most helpful learning experience while a student at Wichita State?

My experiences as a graduate research assistant at the Public Policy and Management Center at WSU, and as a management intern at the City of Andover have been incredible applied learning experiences. Additionally, conducting research with my advisor and mentor, Dr. Mark Glaser, has been formative for my experience as a researcher, writer and public servant.

What was been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge while attaining my MPA was time management. Working and going to school full-time was an excellent way for me to grow, but at times it was also quite a strain on my mental and physical capacity. I had a lot of practice in prioritizing tasks and saying no to things I couldn’t do.

What are your plans after graduation?

I have been hired on full-time at the Public Policy and Management Center at WSU to lead communications for the center and continue work to advance the public good with partners and clients in the public and private sectors.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your time at Wichita State or your post-graduation plans?

I am very grateful that I had the privilege of financial security during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has been an interesting adjustment working and schooling from home and not seeing my family as much. I am ready to get back to traveling and seeing people more often.

What advice would you give other Wichita State students?

Help others. Lead with others in mind but go after what you want. There is no harm in trying, and there is no harm in asking for what you want. However, if you don’t know what you want, that’s okay. You don’t have to rush anything, and you don’t need to go through with something just because you think you should.