Courtesy photoWichita State’s faculty and admissions staff took the time to learn about Rafael Guereque’s plans for life, and that personal attention brought him to campus. At WSU, he participated in clubs and organizations, learned alongside Wichita Police Department officers and built a foundation for his next phase.
Rafael 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?
Bachelor of Science in forensic science with minors in chemistry, biological sciences, history, university honors, and organizational leadership and learning, as well as being on the honors leadership track.
What is your hometown?
Hugoton, Kansas
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
- Hugoton High School
What made you choose Wichita State University?
Wichita State was the first university where the staff and faculty asked me what I wanted in my future. It felt like a true community in a big city.
How did scholarships benefit you during your time at Wichita State?
I received scholarships such as the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational Semi-Finalist Scholarship, Freshman Merit, Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College Merit, Ann & Justus Fugate Student Ambassador Society Scholarship, Nathan TenClay Memorial Scholarship, the James J. Rhatigan Leadership Scholarship, and the full-ride Rudd Foundation Scholarship.
It benefited me by giving me the time to join clubs, organizations and just overall truly live the college experience without having to worry about the financial burden of it.
What applied learning experiences did you participate in during your time here?
I enjoyed two applied learning experiences here at Wichita State.
The first was with Wichita Police Department on the patrol side to see what a day in the life of a police officer is like.
The second was under the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute, where they connected me with the detectives of the major crimes section of the WPD.
I learned more about how my major plays into detective work and how close the law enforcement world works with each other.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
My biggest piece of advice to other Wichita State students is to fully enjoy the college experience. Never say no to something before taking time to think about how much fun it could be.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will attend the University of Central Oklahoma to pursue my post-grad education of a Master of Science in forensic science – firearm and toolmarks analysis while actively pursuing a position within the ATF as a Special Investigator.
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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