WSU was not where I planned to attend college during my senior year of high school. That all changed when I happened to visit my family in Wichita and decided I might as well tour WSU. This tour completely shifted my perspective. I was immediately impressed by how friendly and welcoming the staff was. I had been nervous about going on a college tour, but everyone made me feel at ease. During the visit, it became clear that Wichita State truly values each student’s experience. This was evident through the many unique opportunities they offer, their constant expansion of academic opportunities, and the well-maintained campus. By the end of the tour, I could clearly see myself not only attending WSU, but also thriving in such a supportive and caring environment.

 

How did being involved with the Student Ambassador Society impact your time at WSU?
The Student Ambassador Society has allowed me to meet a wide range of people and form meaningful friendships with students from many different majors. Another important impact of SAS was how it pushed me to grow as a leader. Through my involvement, I developed stronger public speaking, interpersonal, and adaptability skills. These experiences not only helped me become more confident but also better prepared me to connect with others and represent WSU in a positive and professional way.

 

Which Wichita State faculty or staff member impacted you the most during your time here?
This is a difficult question to answer because I would not be graduating without the support of so many professors and staff at Wichita State. However, I would especially like to recognize the Spanish department for their impact on my experience. Learning a new language is never easy, and one of my biggest challenges was becoming comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone. My Spanish professors consistently supported me when I needed help, while also pushing me to grow in ways I never imagined. Their encouragement and guidance strengthened my language skills by helping me build confidence in my Spanish that extends beyond the classroom.

 

As I prepare to graduate next December, it still feels surreal. I know I will deeply miss my WSU community, the caring faculty, my friends, and the beautiful campus. At the same time, I am excited to see where the future takes me. WSU has had a lasting impact on who I am today, and I am grateful for everything I have learned here. I look forward to carrying these experiences with me as I continue my education and pursue my goal of occupational therapy! 

 

Which experience at Wichita State challenged you the most and what did you take away from that challenge?
One of the most challenging experiences I had at Wichita State was my clinical anatomy class. It was my first experience working with cadavers, which took time to adjust to, but ultimately became an incredibly meaningful learning opportunity. The challenging nature of this course pushed me to grow as a student and develop more effective study strategies that have continued to benefit me in other classes. Beyond academics, I gained a new understanding of how incredibly amazing the human body is and all that it does!

 

 

My advice is to talk to your professors and get to know them. So many of the opportunities I’ve had at Wichita State are thanks to my amazing professors. If you want to get involved in research, start by bringing it up to one of them. Even if they are not personally involved in research, they likely know someone who is. Even if you just want a recommendation for a new restaurant, professors are a great resource! Many of them have lived in Wichita for years and trust me, they know what’s good!