Applied Learning Stories

For many students, time spent with doctors and physical therapists comes after an injury. For Mitchell Steele, however, it’s an opportunity that has become a part of his everyday life. Steele is majoring in biomedical engineering with an emphasis in biomechanics and mechanobiology, along with a minor in mathematics. In addition to his coursework, he serves as Lab Coordinator at WSU’s Motion Assessment Lab, where he studies human movement and injury and further develops his skills through the university’s Applied Learning initiative.

Claire Staggs , a senior psychology major graduating in May 2026, is gaining hands-on experience at  Wichita East High School , part of  Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) , where she supports students as they plan their next steps after graduation. She began the role during the fall semester and continues her work this spring.   

Jordan Devoy is a Fine Arts alumna, who majored in filmmaking and graduated in December 2025. Before earning her bachelor’s degree in media arts with a filmmaking concentration, she had on-the-job training at Shocker Studios. Devoy gained experience in solo and collaborative projects throughout the production process. As a studio videographer, she shot and edited videos for Shocker Studios and its clients.

In May 2024, Ananda Smith graduated from Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree that included a strong emphasis on studying and practicing public policy. She is now pursuing her master’s degree in communication at the Elliott School of Communication. Throughout her academic journey, Smith has gained extensive experience in multimedia journalism and has recently added a copywriter role to her growing resume. In this position, she connects with Shockers and the greater Wichita community through her media work.

Andrew Gibson is a College of Engineering senior and will receive his bachelor’s degree in computer science in May 2026. In his Applied Learning Experience, Gibson is a research assistant at Envision Research Institute. Envision is a Wichita, Kansas, nonprofit that provides services for people who are blind or visually impaired, including employment opportunities, clinical rehabilitation services, childcare and an art program. As a research institute, Envision employs a research team that works together to aid the blind and visually impaired community. Gibson uses his computer science knowledge as a research assistant to advance Envision’s mission.

Wichita State fine arts senior Samantha Bunce is one step closer to becoming a full-time art educator. In fall 2025, she began student teaching at Wichita Brooks Middle School. Under the guidance of art educator Lauren Gilmore, Bunce crafted a creative learning environment for students at this STEM and arts magnet middle school.

In May 2019, Gonzalo Niera Maquilon graduated from Wichita State with a bachelor's degree in psychology and another in anthropology. Driven to serve his community, he earned certificates in community psychology and human factors while attaining his bachelor's degree at Wichita State. Later that year, he began his master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology and graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since graduating from Meredith College in 2021, Maquilon has poured his heart into human resources through various post-graduate roles. In his current role as a human resources specialist for the City of Wichita, he reflects on human resources’ influence on his work and his own “... impact on the life of others at work.”

In December 2023, Timothy “Tim” Cao earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with multiple emphases in economics, finance and real estate, with a minor in business analytics from Wichita State University. Cao continued his education at the Barton School of Business and in December 2024 he earned his master’s degree in economics and quantitative analysis with a data analytics concentration. Now at POET, Cao is a business support analyst, where his expertise in data analysis is vital in POET’s operations. A year after becoming an alumnus, Cao reflects on his academic and career journey with Wichita State’s support.