Receiving applied learning funds has allowed Grace Ryan, a junior music education
and musical theater major, to act as the company manager for the Wichita State Performing
Arts Company (WUPAC). Through this organization, university students across all majors
in the School of Performing Arts bring workshops in voice, movement and acting to
schools in the Wichita area.
WUPAC also had the unique opportunity to travel to the Junior Thespian Festival in
Overland Park this past April. There they offered workshops to middle school students
across Kansas.
“This experience has solidified to me the importance of bringing the performing arts
into schools and given me perspective on how much work that can take,” Grace said.
Grace’s job is primarily to coordinate connections with schools and other youth groups
in Wichita as well as schedule university students’ visits.
“This experience has been great for me to understand more of the administrative world
of public schools as a future educator, as well as build some meaningful connections
with schools I have been able to visit,” Grace said.
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.
