Liza Danilova is a senior majoring in Integrated Marketing Communications at Wichita State University. Originally from Moscow, Russia, Danilova came to Kansas as an international student and has since embraced every opportunity to grow her skills and gain professional experience in the U.S. With a strong interest in social media management, she has taken on several roles at WSU that align with her career goals. As graduation approaches, Danilova’s diverse internships have equipped her with the skills and confidence to pursue her dream job in the field.
Danilova began her collegiate academic journey at Cowley County Community College, where she was already gaining hands-on experience. There, she held the role of Social Media Ambassador, as a full-ride scholarship, and was a Sports Videographer for her campus job — positions that not only supported her financially but also laid the groundwork for future opportunities at Wichita State.
“Those early experiences helped prepare me for the opportunities I now have at Wichita State University. Since then, I have grown in both confidence and skill,” Danilova said.
Since transferring to Wichita State, Danilova has continued to build on that momentum through roles in multiple departments. She has served as a media intern for the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences since August 2024. In Spring 2025, she also worked as a social media marketing assistant for the College of Fine Arts.
In her role with the College of Fine Arts, she contributed video production and curated content for the college’s Instagram and Facebook accounts. She also wrote feature stories for the College of Fine Arts, applying what she learned about AP Style in class. One such example is her article profiling Dr. Irma Puškarević, assistant professor of graphic design.
When the spring semester ended, so did that role—just in time for her to begin a summer internship with the Shocker Career Accelerator. As the Shocker Career Accelerator’s social media intern, Danilova manages multiple platforms and creates content to promote student career resources. The work builds on her experience but also challenges her to engage with new audiences.
“It is important to tailor content. That has been one of the most valuable lessons for me: even with a shared skill set, your approach must adapt to each audience,” she said.
Each position has further affirmed her choice of major. Her first Wichita State internship with the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences opened doors to her subsequent roles with the College of Fine Arts and the Shocker Career Accelerator. Both of those internships were funded through WSU’s Applied Learning Fund, which provided paid, hands-on experiences—and solidified her passion for the field.
“There is no doubt I have chosen the right major. Thanks to these internships, I have gained real-world marketing and communications experience, and I genuinely love what I do. I am looking forward to building a full-time career in this field after graduation in December 2025,” Danilova said.
Check out Liza Danilova’s work:
Portfolio: https://lizadanilova.my.canva.site/creative-portfolio
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizadanilovaaa/
Shocker Career Accelerator social media:
- Facebook: Shocker Career Accelerator
- Instagram: @Shocker.Career.Accelerator
- LinkedIn: Shocker Career Accelerator
Wichita State's applied learning program gives students hands-on, paid experience with industry partners, helping them build careers before graduation.
For more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688, SCA@wichita.edu, or visit wichita.edu/Career. You can also stop by in person at the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139, on the Wichita State campus.
Courtesy Photo 
Courtesy Photo 
Courtesy Photo