Andrea made the most of her time in college by stepping outside her comfort zone. She was a Shocker Navigator, giving tours to families and people from all over. She was heavily involved on campus and utilized resources available to students studying entrepreneurship.

Hometown

Wichita, KS

Degree received

Bachelor of Business Administration

Why did you choose Wichita State?

I chose Wichita State because I knew I would be given access to resources to excel not only in my academics but in my career as well. I chose the University because of the resources for entrepreneurs - including the Center for Entrepreneurship, and because of its closeness to home. I also was fortunate enough to receive the Professor Fran Jabara Endowed Scholarship in Entrepreneurship.

Which organizations were you involved in during your time at Wichita State?

While at Wichita State, I was part of the first cohort of Latinos Lead and was a member of HALO (Hispanic American Leadership Organization) and SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management). I also participated in Professional Edge and was a Shocker Navigator.

How did being involved with Shocker Navigators impact you?

Being a Shocker Navigator helped me learn more about Wichita State - which increased my love and appreciation for the University and our campus. I was able to talk with people from all over the world, and share my experiences and it helped me meet many wonderful people that have pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and become a better version of myself.

Which Wichita State faculty or staff member impacted you the most during your time here?

During my time here, there were quite a few Wichita State faculty and staff members that impacted me. I think my top ones would be Dr. Jen-Chi Cheng and Brian Rawson, who are professors I had during my senior year. They are some of the many professors who not only did a great job at teaching their classes and answering my many questions but also made sure the students felt like they had someone to go to for any professional and career advice as well.

Another Wichita State staff member that has impacted me is Sloane Crawshaw, who works in the Office of Admissions. She was my boss as a Shocker Navigator, but because of her lively and caring attitude, she became someone I could go to when I needed a listening ear. Her dedicated work ethic inspires me to excel and find joy in everything I do.

How do you feel about graduating?

It all feels surreal! I don’t think it has hit me yet that I graduated. It wasn’t until the confetti canons went off at the end of the graduation ceremony that made me realize I completed my degree and don’t need to enroll for classes again next semester.

Which experience at Wichita State challenged you the most and what did you take away from that challenge?

Apart from COVID happening during my freshman year and having to adapt to online classes and to a not-so-usual college experience, a challenging experience I had here at Wichita State was competing in the Shocker New Venture Competition my third year at Wichita State as part of an Entrepreneurship capstone class. I found it nerve-racking having to talk to several professionals and influential people and explain what our new venture idea was. I had never done something like it before and unlike a video, where you can redo and edit parts, it was live and face-to-face. The biggest thing I took away from this challenge was that this was the start of me coming out of my shell. I started to feel more confident when I talked to lots of different people. I also learned that rather than being intimated by influential people, the best thing I can do is put my nerves aside and talk to them, listen to them, and ultimately learn from them so that I, too, can become an influential and inspiring person.

What are your post-grad plans?

After graduation, I plan to continue working as a Shocker Navigator during the summer and take time to travel and be with family.

What advice would you give to incoming Wichita State students?

The advice I would give to incoming Wichita State students would be to ask questions, be open-minded, get involved, and make the most out of their time at Wichita State. Try new and different things because you might find you like something that you would have never thought of liking. Ask questions and learn from every experience, always seek out help whether it be for classes or personal matters, and make friends that are supportive and encourage you to grow to become better. Wichita State has lots to offer, so make sure to take advantage of it!