Payton Hamilton has taken full advantage of the travel programs Wichita State offers, including Lead for Tomorrow and Bill’s Trip through the Cohen Honor’s College.
Payton is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2026 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
What degree will you be earning in May?
I will be earning my Bachelor of Applied Science in organizational leadership and learning with minors in honors leadership and sociology.
What is your hometown?
I grew up in Vicksburg, Michigan, before moving to McPherson, Kansas, in eighth grade.
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
McPherson High School
When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was younger, I really wanted to be the world’s first female NFL player. That dream quickly ended when I wasn’t allowed to play football.
What made you choose Wichita State University?
From the moment I stepped on campus during my college visit as a junior in high school, I could feel the immense community that is the foundation of Wichita State. In visiting with faculty and staff across disciplines and in the Honors College as well as chatting with students, I knew I would be supported during my time at Wichita State. I knew I would be able to meet amazing people and truly find my home on campus. The emphasis on applied learning also really helped sell me on Wichita State as I knew I would be able to participate in so many unique and life changing experiences.
What applied learning experiences did you participate in during your time here?
During my time here at Wichita State, I have had the privilege of participating in multiple applied learning experiences! In my three years here, I have participated in Bill’s Trip multiple times where our student cohorts had the opportunity to travel to Grand Canyon National Park and Hot Springs National Park to volunteer with the National Park Service, learn about various Indigenous cultures; and was able to develop as a leader. I also participated in Lead for Tomorrow my freshman year traveling with a cohort to Memphis, Tennessee. Additionally, for my senior year, I spent a year working with the Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College as a student assistant for leadership programs and research. In this role, I worked on various projects that informed my understanding of what working in the academic side of higher education entails.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
My advice would be to know that you don’t have to have it all figured out. Enjoy your journey as much as possible. College is an especially unique time of your life, and it is totally okay not to have it all figured out now or even five years from now. Save yourself at least a little bit of worry and live every moment in the present.
What are your plans after graduation?
I was accepted into the educational leadership graduate program, so I am very excited to be spending the next couple of years here at Wichita State.
Fun question: You suddenly find yourself in the middle of a dance battle. What's the first move you're gonna hit 'em with?
Very innately, I would most definitely break into the Sprinkler.
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- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 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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