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Marco Villela

May 03, 2024 As a first-generation student, Marco Villela had to learn his way around the college life, from enrollment to moving to a new city, but he was able to persist and earn his bachelor’s degree, with plans to continue his education at the Graduate School at Wichita State University.

Om Hitendra Mahajan

May 3, 2024 - Om Hitendra Mahajan will continue his education in sport management as he prepares to revolutionize sports and sports careers in his home country of India. He is getting his start working with professors and mentors at Wichita State University.

Desmond Cockrell

May 2, 2024 - Desmond Cockrell, from Tulsa, is the first of four siblings to earn a bachelor’s degree and hopes his story can encourage others to succeed in college.

Iris Okere

May 1, 2024 Iris Okere joined Wichita State University for its affordability and distance to her home in Texas. Here, she found WSU to be a place full of opportunities for her, including a chance grow her own confidence and independence through the challenges she faced, and in her final year, she was elected to the position of student body president in the Student Government Association.

Jade Driggs

April 12, 2024 — With two young children at home, U.S. Air Force Major Jade Driggs needed to learn to ask and accept help from others while she was working toward her Ph.D. in human factors psychology. She chose Wichita State University for its impressive human factors psychology program and the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Christen Brouillette

April 30, 2024 Christen Brouillette came to Wichita State University from Texas, which they found hard to transition to, but with the help of peers, faculty and the resources available at WSU, they were able to find success. They hope to work as a historian or archivist following graduation. Christen is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2024 graduation. Learn more about their time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.

Image of Brianna Smith

Sept. 21, 2022 — Brianna Smith, a computer engineering junior, is currently applying here student skills as a research analyst at FirePoint. She chose Wichita State because of the various applied learning opportunities available to help prepare her for her future career.

Jon Peterson

Sept. 12, 2022 — Jon Peterson, a senior from Illinois, considers Wichita a hidden gem with many opportunities to get involved and learn. He is diving into the world of finance and venture capital with his internship with the University Venture Fund Crossroads Program. 

Image of Kyndal Nystrom.

July 13, 2022 — Texan Kyndal Nystrom chose Wichita State because of the opportunities and affordability available at the university.

Kyla Gordon

July 7, 2022 - Kyla Gordon came to Wichita State from Denver to major in entrepreneurship and take advantage of WSU’s many student activities.

Image of Samantha Rowan.

May 2, 2022 — Samantha Rowan is graduate and a first-generation student. She plans to work with elderly after she graduates. Samantha is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2022 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.

Juan Aguilar is standing outside behind a metal sculpture.

Feb. 7, 2022 — Four years ago, Juan Aguilar made a decision that is about to make his last two years in college a whole lot more affordable.

Valeria Esparza sits in front of the Wichita State University sign. She is wearing a grey sweater and black turtleneck and is sitting on a brick ledge. There is some shrubbery below the sign.

Dec. 8, 2021— Valeria Esparza’s dream was to attend college as a first-generation student. She is now guaranteed a position to teach elementary education as her future job following graduation. Esparza is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Aunjnae White, a first-generation student, posing with her degree in psychology.

Nov. 22, 2021 – New beginnings are usually an adjustment, and it can be a leap of faith if you are the first to go to college in your family.

Shocker Nation graphic

Sept. 30, 2021 -- Enrollment for fall 2021 at Wichita State University and WSU Tech is showing strong growth despite a decline in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of thousands of local jobs.