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Wichita State graduate Katie Galligan played volleyball for the Shockers and excelled in the classroom. Her advice to students includes time for prayer and to leave places better than you found them.Courtesy photo

Meet a Shocker: Katie Galligan

Dec. 16, 2025
By Strategic Communications

College of Health Professions

Exceptional industry partnerships give Wichita State University students many opportunities to make connections and work beside some of the best professionals in their fields through clinical rotations and community outreach.

 

Athletics at Wichita State University

Wichita State offers 16 NCAA Division I sports and is a member of the American Conference. Recent highlights include the 2025 bowling Final Four and the NIT for men's basketball, 2024 NCAA volleyball tournament and NCAA softball regional bids in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Shocker track and field won the men's American Conference Outdoor Championship in 2022 and 2023.

 

A strong volleyball program brought Katie Galligan to Wichita State from her home in Nebraska. She earned 2025 Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators with a 3.92 grade-point average while majoring in Health Sciences. Galligan's energy and skills in the back row helped the Shockers win a conference title and play in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Katie is one of more than 1,200 students eligible for fall 2025 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.

Major

Health Sciences minors in marketing and management

Hometown

Omaha

High school

Elkhorn (Neb.) South High School

When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

NICU nurse.

What made you choose Wichita State University?

The culture surrounding volleyball.

How did scholarships benefit you during your time at Wichita State?

I earned a volleyball scholarship. It allowed me to not worry about financial situations, and use my athletic abilities to further pursue my athletic career.

What applied learning experiences did you participate in during your time here?

My applied learning portfolio through the health sciences degree allowed for multiple volunteer opportunities and community involvement events.

What advice would you give other Wichita State students?

  1. Pray.
  2. Leave places and people better than you found them.
  3. Never lose your sense of humor.

What are your plans after graduation? 

I will be taking my fifth year to play beach volleyball at Palm Beach Atlantic University while pursuing my MBA. 

About Wichita State University

Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (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 National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.

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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