In May 2024, Ananda Smith graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s
degree that included a strong emphasis on studying and practicing public policy. She
is now pursuing her master’s degree in communication at the Elliott School of Communication.
Throughout her academic journey, Smith has gained extensive experience in multimedia
journalism and has recently added a copywriter role to her growing resume. In this
position, she connects with Shockers and the greater Wichita community through her
media work.
In her first year as a graduate student, Smith worked as a reporter for The Sunflower,
as a broadcast assistant for CBS Sports and as a multimedia journalist summer intern
for KSNW-TV.
In August 2025, she began her final graduate year and her new role.
As a copywriter for the College of Fine Arts, Smith elevates the College of Fine Arts’
media coverage. Her coverage includes news within the college, profiling its faculty, staff and
students. Smith highlighted the college’s creatives with digital art student profiles
and reporting on the 2025 Kansas Board of Regents Faculty Member of the Year award.
“I take pride in producing quality work that highlights fresh angles and brings new
insight to the forefront, offering readers something they may not have considered
at first glance,” Smith said.
In her role, she meets the creatives from the college – past and present.
“I believe a great broadcaster is defined by their ability to deliver meaningful,
uplifting, and community-focused stories that inform and inspire,” Smith said.
Smith’s copywriter role for the College of Fine Arts was funded by Wichita State’s
Applied Learning Fund, which enables Shockers to grow professionally while earning
pay.
Expected to graduate in May 2026, Smith has connected to greater Wichita through and
beyond media. Reflecting on this Applied Learning Experience along with others, Smith
is prepared to enter the sports broadcasting industry.
“I’ve been selected for TEGNA’s in-residence producer program, where I plan to work
with WFFA, a top-five U.S. broadcasting market and the mother station for Dallas Mavericks
broadcasts. I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned and keep advancing in the field,”
Smith 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 theShocker Career Acceleratorat (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visitwichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita
State campus.
