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Desmond Cockrell, from Tulsa, will join many other Shockers in the aerospace industry when he works as a UI/UX designer at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston.Courtesy photo

Meet a Shocker: Desmond Cockrell

May 2, 2024
By Strategic Communications

College of Fine Arts

From working side by side with acclaimed artists to countless opportunities to showcase your talent on and off campus, Wichita State's College of Fine Arts provides an environment where you can train like a professional—and gain the skills, connections and confidence to launch your dream career.

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Desmond Cockrell, from Tulsa, advises fellow Shockers to take advantage of people on campus who offer advising, counseling and career help. He is the first of four siblings to earn a bachelor’s degree and hopes his story can encourage others to succeed in college.

Desmond is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2024 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.

What degree will you be earning in May?

I will be earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a major in graphic design.

What is your hometown?

Tulsa, Oklahoma

 What made you choose Wichita State University?  

I chose WSU for affordability and familiarization.

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

My biggest challenge as a student is time management. Buying an agenda and following it helped me overcome procrastination.

What's your favorite off-campus location in Wichita?

My favorite off-campus location is the Towne East Square.  I enjoy shopping and grabbing a quick snack from KarmelKorn Shoppe.

What would be the title of your autobiography? 

I would title my autobiography, “0-21-21-100 (Zero to 21. 21 to 100) The life of Desmond Cockrell.”

What are your plans after graduation?  

I plan to work as an UI/UX designer at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston.

What advice would you give other Wichita State students? 

Utilize campus resources early! I recommend scheduling regular appointments with a financial advisor, faculty advisor, and Shocker Career Accelerator advisor.

About Wichita State University

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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