Wichita State University
Grad School profile: Kristyn Waits, College of Innovation and Design
Sept. 23, 2024
WSU's College of Innovation and Design
The College of Innovation and Design is about identifying and developing the human centered, digital, and leadership skills you need to thrive in the digital economy.
Kristyn Waits, a Wichita State alumna, reflects on her journey from an undergraduate student to graduate student. Through transformative experiences like international travel, interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning, Kristyn shares how Wichita State shaped her career and continues to inspire her today.
Kristyn Waits
Q: Tell us about your experience at Wichita State University?
A: I graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in graphic design. During my undergrad, I had so many incredible experiences — one of the highlights being an internship with Strategic Communications on campus. I also had the opportunity to travel abroad for a summer seminar, which included a month-long trip to Rome, Cyprus and Paris, learning about graphic design alongside my classmates. That transformative experience later opened doors for me in international education at Wichita State.
Q: You've pursued a second degree from Wichita State as well. Can you talk about that?
A: In 2019, I earned a Master's in Innovation Design from the College of Innovation and Design at Wichita State. The program was incredible. It introduced me to so many different disciplines, which was the most valuable aspect for me. In most team environments, everyone thinks the same because they have similar backgrounds; but in the innovation design program, my cohort was a mix of aerospace engineers, theater students and other diverse fields. Learning to work with people who think differently from me was a key takeaway and has been essential to my success.
Q: What was your favorite part of the Master's in Innovation Design (MID) program?
A: The people, without a doubt. When you join the MID program, you’re surrounded by individuals from vastly different backgrounds. Some are fresh out of undergrad, some have careers and are looking to level up, and others are business owners. I learned as much from my peers as I did in the classroom, and that experience really motivated me in how I approach team building in my current role.
Q: Can you share a specific example of applied learning during your time at Wichita State?
A: One of my favorite experiences was participating in a Johnson & Johnson design challenge. Our class was tasked with redesigning their light therapy acne mask. We formed teams, and our professor, Doug Stucky, guided us through the design thinking process. Our team’s design was selected as one of the top entries, and we got to travel to New Orleans to pitch our idea. It was such a great opportunity to see design thinking and innovation in action, and these kinds of experiential learning moments are common in Wichita State’s grad programs.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering grad school at Wichita State?
A: My biggest piece of advice is to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and say yes to new opportunities. Wichita State is fantastic at providing opportunities — whether it’s joining a NASA SUITS team, participating in research, or studying abroad. But it’s up to you to take advantage of them. If you’re open to trying new things, the possibilities are endless.
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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