Missourian Gary Nealon leaned all the way into applied learning, tackling hands‑on health care projects and landing a new full-time role as an academic program socialist at a medical school.
Gary is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2026 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
What degree will you be earning in May?
Master of Health Administration
What is your hometown?
St. Louis, Missouri
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
Francis Howell North High School
When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A magician
What made you choose Wichita State University?
I chose Wichita State University because it felt like the perfect mix of opportunity,
practicality and real-world impact. And if I’m being honest, I have always appreciated
a place that values getting things done over just talking about it.
On a slightly less serious note, I also realized pretty quickly that Wichita State
is the kind of place where people don’t take themselves too seriously, but they do
take their work seriously. That balance works for me. Plus, it’s reassuring to be
somewhere where if you say you are working full-time, in grad school and juggling
life, people don’t look at you like you’re crazy; they just ask what your next project
is.
Did you receive any scholarships to attend Wichita State?
Yes, I did receive a scholarship during my time at Wichita State University. I was fortunate to be awarded the State Applied Learning Scholarship through the Health Management and Public Health Sciences (HM&PHSc) program, which was especially meaningful given how closely it aligned with my academic and professional goals. More than just financial support, this scholarship reinforced the value of applied learning, which was what initially drew me to WSU. It allowed me to focus more intentionally on gaining hands-on experience, whether through my practicum work or real-world health care projects, without being as weighed down by financial stress. In a way, it felt like the university was investing in me the same way I was investing in my education.
What applied learning experiences did you participate in during your time here?
During my time at Wichita State University, I was really intentional about choosing applied learning experiences that connected directly to real health care challenges and not just theory. The biggest one has been my MHA practicum, where I have been working on a strategic partnership project between Galen College of Nursing and HCA Healthcare. The goal is to strengthen the workforce pipeline by increasing the number of nursing graduates who transition into HCA facilities. That experience has been very hands-on. I have analyzed partnership data, identified barriers to recruitment and retention, and worked on building a more structured transition-to-practice framework. It’s one of those projects where you can actually see how your work could impact staffing and patient care in a real system.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
My biggest piece of advice to students at Wichita State University is to lean into the applied learning model fully and don’t just check the box: actually use it. It’s easy to treat assignments, internships or practicums as something you need to complete, but the students who get the most out of WSU are the ones who treat those experiences like real opportunities. Ask questions, take on projects that feel a little outside your comfort zone, and try to connect what you’re learning in class to something happening in the real world. That’s where things really start to click.
What are your plans after graduation?
I was recently hired at Kansas University Medical School here in Wichita as its academic program specialist. I oversee year-one and year-two med students and make sure they have access to all the resources they need to succeed.
Fun question: You suddenly find yourself in the middle of a dance battle. What's the first move you're gonna hit 'em with?
I’m not overthinking it. I’m coming out with full confidence and immediately hitting them with an aggressively committed, slightly overdramatic robot. No warm-up, no easing in — just straight to stiff arms and questionable popping like I’ve been preparing for this moment my entire life.
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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