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Taylor Wallace

May 6, 2024 - Taylor Wallace, a first-generation student from Oklahoma, considers Wichita State home.

Gregory VanDyke Jr.

May 1, 2023 — Gregory VanDyke Jr. is one of more than 1,500 students eligible for spring 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.

Computer

Aug. 11, 2022 - Secret shoppers often shop for pizza or clothing with an eye on helpfulness and timely service. They might also evaluate a hotel for cleanliness and service. But secret shopping isn’t just limited to those kind of consumer experiences. Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center uses WSU students as secret shoppers to help workforce training centers improve their services for people in search of employment and job training.

Image of Samantha Rowan.

May 2, 2022 — Samantha Rowan is graduate and a first-generation student. She plans to work with elderly after she graduates. Samantha is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2022 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.

A member of the kitchen crew dumps food scraps into a bin at Shocker Hall.

April 21, 2022 —There’s a whole world living inside your food waste — billions and billions of microorganisms — just waiting to make your landscaping bloom brighter and your vegetables grow heartier.

Juan Aguilar is standing outside behind a metal sculpture.

Feb. 7, 2022 — Four years ago, Juan Aguilar made a decision that is about to make his last two years in college a whole lot more affordable.

Valeria Esparza sits in front of the Wichita State University sign. She is wearing a grey sweater and black turtleneck and is sitting on a brick ledge. There is some shrubbery below the sign.

Dec. 8, 2021— Valeria Esparza’s dream was to attend college as a first-generation student. She is now guaranteed a position to teach elementary education as her future job following graduation. Esparza is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2021 graduation.

Aunjnae White, a first-generation student, posing with her degree in psychology.

Nov. 22, 2021 – New beginnings are usually an adjustment, and it can be a leap of faith if you are the first to go to college in your family.

Shocker Nation graphic

Sept. 30, 2021 -- Enrollment for fall 2021 at Wichita State University and WSU Tech is showing strong growth despite a decline in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of thousands of local jobs.

Abigail is one of more than 3,500 students eligible for spring 2021 graduation.

Abigail Hammack, a native Wichitan, came to Wichita State because of the great reputation of the public administration program with applied learning opportunities. During her time at WSU, she was able to work as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Public Policy & Management Center at WSU and a Management Intern at the City of Andover.

Brittany Wojciechowski

March 24, 2021 — Brittany Wojciechowski, a Wichita State University Ph.D. student in aerospace engineering, has been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF), which is worth more than $120,000.

Jade Mursch at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Feb. 22, 2021 – When we last spoke to Wichita State alumna and 2020 graduate Jade Mursch, her internship had been paused due to COVID-19. After being on hold for a month, Mursch’s internship was ultimately cut short. After months of uncertainty, Mursch secured a new full-time role.

Campus

December 1, 2020 - Wichita State’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion is organizing “Tenacious Men,” a program designed to provide mentoring and STEM education for underrepresent students in Wichita Public Schools.

Morgan Bretches

November 16, 2020 - Morgan Bretches, from Wellington, recently was offered a position as laboratory assistant at Mayo Clinic, where she will investigate the meningeal lymphatic system and the brain. Morgan is one of more than 1,200 students eligible for fall 2020 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.

Jessica Gulaskey

Nov. 3, 2020 — Jessica Gulaskey is one of thousands of first-generation students at Wichita State. The Wichita native will be taking over the university’s Instagram account on Thursday, Nov. 5, to share her experiences as a first-gen student.