Courtesy photoBILL’S Trip, a service-learning experience for students in the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, provided Abby Otten one of the highlights of her time at WSU. Travels to national parks broadened her understanding of our nation.
Abby 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?
Bachelors of Science in biomedical engineering with a concentration in instrumentation, sensors, and imaging with minors in university honors and mathematics
What is your hometown?
Basehor, Kansas
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
- Basehor-Linwood High School
What made you choose Wichita State University?
I chose WSU for many reasons. Wichita was far enough from home to be on my own, yet close enough that I could still visit my hometown.
I fell in love with the Wichita area, WSU, and the biomedical engineering department. There is such a wide variety of ways to get involved.
How did scholarships benefit you during your time at Wichita State?
I was named a finalist for the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (DSI). This allowed me to form connections early on with new friends, different departments across campus, and throughout Wichita.
I also received the Cohen Enhancement Scholarship from the Cohen Honors College. This allowed me to study abroad for the European Travel Seminar, where I explored Italy, Austria, Germany , and Switzerland.
What applied learning experiences did you participate in during your time here?
Applied learning opportunities were abundant for my college experience.
My favorite was BILL’S Trip through the Cohen Honors College. This is where I traveled to national parks and learned about servant/service leadership, indigenous voices, and Leave No Trace principles.
I was selected as a Student Outfit guide this past year, where I facilitated conversations, hosted team-building activities, and connected with each student in my group during the trip.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
Stay involved!
Classes and work are tough, so work to have something fun on your schedule.
I did this by finding organizations that were fun to me. From the Society of Women Engineers and the Student Government Association to Shocks Westie Swing and Shocker Navigators, I have always kept multiple organizations on my schedule to fill my time with meaningful conversations and a way for me to connect with students I may never have met.
I have found that these activities help me to stay more engaged on campus and more successful as a student.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will work at Pfizer as a rotational associate, where I will have three rotations over two years in their manufacturing location in McPherson, Kansas. I also hope to continue volunteering with the Technology Student Association and HOBY KS, as well as keep up with my hobbies, as I am a West Coast Swing dancer in my free time.
Fun question: You suddenly find yourself in the middle circle of a dance battle. What's the first move you gonna hit 'em with?
If I was in a dance battle, I would definitely start with the Moonwalk. Then go into some of the classics like the Lawnmower, Shopping Cart, and Sprinkler. I would, in fact, win the dance battle.
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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