Applied Learning Stories

Vivian Salazar is a junior at Wichita State majoring in mechanical engineering. On campus, Salazar is a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Engineering intern for The Smart Factory by Deloitte. At Deloitte, she supports the smart maintenance and repair facility by managing Industry 4.0 machinery.

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.

Karaline Scott, a Wichita State electrical engineering sophomore, is currently interning for Professional Engineering Consultants. As a power and process division intern her tasks are focused on AutoCAD software, reading diagrams and schematics used in real world electrical systems.  

Lucas Garces is a double- alumnus of Wichita State University. He first graduated in 2018 with a bachelor's in business administration, then again in 2020 with a master’s in applied economics. Today, he works at Google as a data scientist.

Matilyn “Mati” Newman graduated from Wichita State University in May 2025, earning her bachelor's in integrated marketing communications from the Elliot School of Communication. As a recent graduate, Newman hit the ground running with her role as the digital marketing assistant at the Rotary Club of Wichita. In her role, Newman has witnessed how her classwork intertwines with her professional work.

As a fourth-year graphic design major at Wichita State, Janis Hwang has found her applied learning experience to be both creatively fulfilling and professionally transformative. Through her role designing for No Choice but Action, a project that aims to preserve and highlight Kansas' often-overlooked role in American independent and post-punk music, she has been able to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to work as a designer in a real-world context.

As a senior in the applied engineering program at Wichita State University, Haylee Thurman is scheduled to graduate this fall with an emphasis in management. Her academic journey, however, is only part of the story. Since the start of her college career, she has been steadily shaping a dynamic and impactful role in the world of research and development.

For Alexandra Enmark, applied learning at Wichita State University has been more than a stepping stone—it’s been a launching pad toward her dream of one day starting her own theatre company. A BFA student in design and technical theatre, Alexandra currently serves as a student intern in the School of Performing Arts (SPA) office. Her role is as dynamic and multifaceted as the theatre industry itself. She designs production programs, manages the SPA website, creates weekly newsletters, updates digital displays, and ensures essential information is accessible for both students and faculty. It’s a unique blend of creativity, communication, and logistics—all within the vibrant environment of the performing arts.