Cooper J. McWilliams left Bonner Springs to study film at Wichita State. His talent led him to several applied learning experiences in the film industry and eventually a full-time career at NIAR.
Cooper is one of more than 1,200 students eligible for fall 2025 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
Major
Bachelor of Applied Arts in filmmaking
Hometown
Bonner Springs, Kansas
High school
Bonner Springs High School
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
Kansas City Kansas Community College
When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Did you earn any scholarships?
I picked WSU because of it's affordable in-state tuition and generous transfer scholarships, which made it a practical choice. Also, its up-and-coming film program felt like the perfect place to grow as a filmmaker. Also, it's not too far from my hometown.
What applied learning experiences did you participate in during your time here?
Many of my applied learning experiences at WSU came from the numerous opportunities to work on a variety of film sets. The equipment at Shocker Studios created a practical, hands-on learning environment that closely mirrors real-world production. Another valuable experience was participating in the Tallgrass Film Association’s TAKE 36 competition as a director of photography. Shocker Studios organized three teams to create short films within 36 hours, which were then submitted for review. We had one film make the top 10.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
My advice to other WSU students is to take full advantage of every opportunity and resource available on campus. Get involved in the areas that spark your interest. Whether that’s joining a student organization, participating in Greek life, or exploring creative projects. Make the most of your time at Wichita State so you can look back with pride and appreciation for all the experiences that shaped your journey.
What's next for this grad?
I plan on working full time at WSU's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) as a content producer once I graduate.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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