While a student at Wichita State, Samantha Rowan worked on her master's in Aging Studies
with a concentration in Administration.
Meet a Shocker: Samantha Rowan
May 2, 2022
By Abigail Klein, public relations advisor
Aging Studies
The fast-growing, aging population needs professionals with knowledge and skills to
lead the public health response to population aging. With the online Master of Arts
in Aging Studies Program at Wichita State University, you can specialize in Senior
Living Management, Senior Community Services, or Public Health, and personalize your
career path in the aging professions.
Samantha Rowan is graduate and a first-generation student. She plans to work with
elderly after she graduates.
Samantha is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2022 graduation. Learn
more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
Hometown
Wichita, Kansas
Degree
Master's Degree in Aging Studies with a concentration in administration
What made you want to attend Wichita State?
I chose to attend Wichita state because it was affordable and close to home. I did
not want to go too far from my family when I decided to attend college.
How are you feeling leading up to graduation?
The closer I get to graduation I am getting excited but also anxious. All I have ever
known is school and class work but I am excited to close the chapter of school and
begin my next one.
What was been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
There are multiple challenges that come along with being a student. You have to find
the balance between school, work and having a social life. It is so important to still
do things that make you happy and bring you joy because school is stressful.
What has been your most helpful learning experience at Wichita State?
My most helpful learning experience at Wichita State was creating the POD plan for
the COVID-19 response team. Creating this plan gave me an insight of what it is like
working through all the levels of a pandemic. I have been with the Student Wellness
Center for a lot of the pandemic so it has been very interesting to see all the working
parts of a pandemic.
What are your plans after graduation?
After gradation I plan on finding a position working with our elderly in way that
allows me to advocate for them. I am not sure what this looks like quite yet, and
that is okay.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affected your time at Wichita State?
COVID has taught me a lot. Being a health care major, we were working first-hand following
everything that was going on. Being able to say that I worked in healthcare during
a pandemic is something that employers will look for in experience. As for class,
when they all went virtual I was not too upset.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
The advice I would give to other Wichita State students is to get involved. When you
start working with others on campus you begin to build your network and doors open
that you might have never imagined even existed. Along with that, just network, network,
network! You never know who might be attending events or who you could meet.
