Briana Rodriguez graduated from Wichita State University in May 2026 with bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and Spanish.

During her final spring semester, Rodriguez completed her Spanish practicum through two applied learning experiences with Kansas Children’s Service League and Our Daily Bread Food Pantry. In both roles, she served as a Spanish interpreter, helping families access important services and resources while strengthening her communication skills in real-world settings.

At Kansas Children’s Service League, Rodriguez interpreted for Spanish-speaking parents during family support and educational sessions, helping bridge communication between families and staff. At Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, she assisted Spanish-speaking clients as they received supplemental food assistance, helping ensure they felt welcomed and understood while accessing essential resources.

With support from Wichita State’s Applied Learning Fund, Rodriguez was able to focus on her education and gain experience that prepared her for the next step in her career.

“These funds helped ease some of the financial strain during the academic semester, allowing me to focus more on my studies rather than worrying about making ends meet,” Rodriguez said.

She is grateful that Wichita State provides students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience while serving the community.

Rodriguez is now a student at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry, where she is preparing for a career serving diverse communities.

“My Wichita State applied learning experiences helped me further develop and refine my Spanish-speaking skills, which will allow me to provide care for Spanish-speaking dental patients and better serve diverse communities in my future dental practice,” Rodriguez said.

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Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.

For more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.