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Karaline Scott

June 26, 2025 — Electrical engineering major Karaline Scott is getting an early start on her career path. The Wichita State sophomore is spending her summer at Professional Engineering Consultants, where she’s getting paid to work alongside industry professionals and experiencing how engineering concepts translate to real-world impact.

School of Performing Arts student

May 15, 2025 - Wichita State University students who work behind-the-scenes in the School of Performing Arts now earn money for their time and expertise, thanks to State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds. Twenty-three students work at jobs such as social media, costumes, fund-raising, lighting and scenes.

Yumi Kikuchi in her graduation regalia

May 8, 2025 Yumi Kikuchi first came to Wichita State University as part of an exchange program and decided she wanted to pursue her graduate studies at the College of Innovation and Design. Her advice to other students? “Take chances. Life is an experiment, and college is the perfect time to explore, get involved and discover what truly excites you.”

Kelly Bielefeld, Monica Lounsbery, Sheree Utash and Josephine Garcia

May 8, 2025 Wichita State University, WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) and Wichita Public Schools (WPS) have announced a new partnership designed to strengthen the region’s teacher workforce through the launch of the Future Teacher Academy and a 2+2 pathway program.

Hannah Copeland

May 5, 2025 — Hannah Copeland found her calling through years of involvement in WSU’s orchestra programs and youth music clinics. Her most rewarding experience has been student teaching in Wichita Public Schools, and she’s thrilled to continue that journey as the new orchestra teacher at Curtis Middle School.

Abigail Smith

April 30, 2025 — Abigail Smith, a music education and trumpet performance major, transferred from Coffeyville Community College to Wichita State, where she found a supportive community and hands-on experience in local classrooms. After graduation, she’ll attend the Aspen Music Festival and School before beginning her career as an elementary music teacher in the Wichita area.

Luke Parrett

April 30, 2025 — Luke Parrett, a filmmaking major from Oklahoma, chose Wichita State for its proximity to home and the hands-on learning offered at Shocker Studios. His time at WSU has been shaped by applied learning in nearly every class, preparing him to pursue gig work across the Midwest and build a career in the film industry.

Colby Hutson

April 30, 2025 — Colby Hutson came to Wichita State for engineering but found his true calling in music performance, thanks to small class sizes and supportive relationships with professors. After graduation, he’s headed to Colorado State University to pursue a master’s degree in French horn performance.

Ashlyn Riggs works with students at the Child Development Center

April 29, 2025 Ashlyn Riggs came to Wichita State University thanks to its proximity to home and she already had a connection to campus through her mother, who is an active employee. While at WSU, she had the opportunity to work at the Child Development Center as a lead sub teacher all while getting her degree in education.

John Mark Koontz poses with his double bass outside Duerksen Fine Arts Center

April 23, 2025 — John Mark Koontz is graduating with a Bachelor of Music in double bass performance. He credits Wichita State’s faculty and ensembles for shaping his growth. His advice: stay consistent—progress takes time, but it adds up.

Tanaya Martin

April 23, 2025 — Tayana Martin, a junior majoring in sport and leadership studies with a minor in sign language, is gaining hands-on experience as an operations specialist with Ennovar at Wichita State. A lifelong Wichitan, Tayana supports student hiring and corporate partnerships while building skills that will serve her well after graduation.

Lindsey Mendenhall posing with WuShock

April 22, 2025 Lindsey Mendenhall was able to get more than just an education at Wichita State. Through the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), she got to work in her field while getting her degree and has a job lined up with the NIAR Advanced Materials Lab. Beyond the classroom, Lindsey found that the lessons she learned from teaching her dogs set her up for success in her academic and professional lives.

Lille Nightingale poses in front of her research poster at the Kansas state capitol

April 7, 2025 — Wichita State senior Lille Nightingale studied wildebeest migration and transformed their movements into a choreographed dance. Her research blends art and science, offering a creative look at the natural world.

2025 Jabara Scholarship winners: Wyatt Ochs and Jennifer Sanchez-Reyes

March 12, 2025 The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has announced the two recipients of the 2025 Professor Fran Jabara Endowed Scholarship. This year’s winners are Wyatt Ochs, a homeschool student from Wichita, and Jennifer C. Sanchez-Reyes from Derby High School in Derby, Kansas. They will each receive more than $32,700 spread over four years to attend WSU and major or double-major in entrepreneurship.

Students and faculty who attended K-INBRE

March 3, 2025 Five undergraduate students from Wichita State were among the 26 students recognized at the 23rd annual Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri.