Receiving applied learning funds has allowed Grace Ryan, a junior music education and musical theater major, to act as the company manager for the Wichita State Performing Arts Company (WUPAC). Through this organization, university students across all majors in the School of Performing Arts bring workshops in voice, movement and acting to schools in the Wichita area.
WUPAC also had the unique opportunity to travel to the Junior Thespian Festival in Overland Park this past April. There they offered workshops to middle school students across Kansas.
“This experience has solidified to me the importance of bringing the performing arts into schools and given me perspective on how much work that can take,” Grace said.
Grace’s job is primarily to coordinate connections with schools and other youth groups in Wichita as well as schedule university students’ visits.
“This experience has been great for me to understand more of the administrative world of public schools as a future educator, as well as build some meaningful connections with schools I have been able to visit,” Grace said.
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