Applied Learning Stories

Elizabeth Small is a first-year master’s student in geology planning to graduate in the Spring of 2027. Through her applied learning experience, Elizabeth is working as an Applied Learning Student Assistant – Geological Collection Curation for the Geology Department at Wichita State University.

Isiah Tiongson gained hands-on experience as an engineering intern with Viega, a family-owned global leader in press technology and a manufacturer of plumbing and HVAC solutions. A mechanical engineering student at Wichita State University, he is set to graduate in December 2026.

Five Wichita State graphic design seniors partnered with Dzanc Publishing to design original paperback book covers, gaining hands-on experience in a professional publishing environment. Guided by Joshua Smith, Assistant Director of Graphic Design, the students collaborated directly with authors and the Dzanc team to develop visually distinctive concepts that reflect each book's voice and audience.

Madisyn “Mady” Sampson is a senior at Wichita State University completing her coursework online and graduating in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management. Through her applied learning experience, Mady served as the Clinical Coordinator and Instructor for the Surgical Technology Program at Crowder College’s Advanced Training & Workforce Center in Joplin, Missouri.

In December 2025, Tyler Bushnell graduated from the Barton School of Business, attaining a bachelor’s degree in information technology and management information systems. As an adult learner, he resumed his education after more than a decade as an airborne combat engineer for the U.S. Army. Since graduation, Bushnell has been a full-time software developer at POET. He began as a summer 2024 intern at POET, was later promoted to junior software developer, before earning his current full-time role. Reflecting on his career journey, Bushnell shares his return to education, finding new passions and changing careers.

When Marianna Fronciani Farina arrived at Wichita State University, she chose mechanical engineering for its flexibility, unsure exactly where it would lead. Four years later, that foundation, strengthened by hands-on software testing and quality assurance work at NetApp, led her to a full-time role in test engineering, proving that real-world experience can shape both skills and direction. Fronciani was an international student from Paraguay. She decided to pursue her education at WSU because her cousin had studied at the university through the “Comité Paraguay Kansas” program, which allows Paraguayans to study at universities in Kansas with in-state tuition. When she toured WSU, the John Bardo Center blew her away, and she decided to make Wichita her home.

Not long ago, the idea of pursuing a master’s degree made Wichita State University Senior Kaydence Perdue uneasy. Now, as she nears the completion of her undergraduate degree and gains months of hands-on experience in local schools through her 400-hour social work practicum, that uncertainty has turned into confidence. For social work students at Wichita State, the practicum experience is a required, hands-on component of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program. It is designed to prepare students for the realities of professional practice, and places seniors directly into community agencies where they complete hundreds of supervised hours in the field. The experience grows students in commitment and adaptability and provides invaluable real-world learning beyond what they learn in a classroom.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way organizations operate, and Mohan Sai Dandu is helping lead that transformation. After earning his master’s degree in data science from Wichita State University in Spring 2024, Dandu now works as the Lead Gen AI Data Scientist at Delta Bravo AI, developing tools that turn complex data into meaningful insights and practical solutions. In his current role, Dandu has the opportunity to work on cutting-edge generative AI initiatives. He works on AI models that help organizations find and use information, turning large amounts of data into useful answers and insights. He uses AI to uncover patterns and insights that help inform business decisions across different departments.