Let’s meet Kailey, a driven UMass Dartmouth student whose passion for cancer research began after her brother’s diagnosis. She’s gonna share how UMass D as a public research institution, fosters innovation through hands-on opportunities. Her story will highlight the impact of UMass Dartmouth’s cutting-edge research programs. Take it away, Kailey.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, y’all. When my little brother was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma cancer, I knew I wanted to make a difference in the lives of children fighting cancer. One day I plan on conducting cancer research in order to find new, effective methods of treatment to give children a chance at a normal life. UMass Dartmouth allowed me to begin in my research journey as early as my first year. I’m currently part of Dr. Vasudev’s lab, researching cancer exosomes as an early detection mechanism for patients who suffer from ovarian cancer. None of this would’ve been possible without me receiving the Founders Scholarship. As a Founder scholar, I am receiving a full ride covering tuition, housing, dining and mandatory fees. The scholarship allows me to focus on my academics, instead of worrying about how to afford a degree. UMass Dartmouth is a national research university with a strong focus on high impact research activity. The campus features state-of-the-art labs and innovative research spaces, providing incredible opportunities for students from their first year all the way through to PhD programs. Here you can collaborate with experienced faculty, professionals and fellow students, gaining valuable hands-on experience, before entering the workforce. Whether you’re interested in science, engineering or social research, the university prepares you for your future. My time here has been nothing short of amazing. When I imagined my years at UMass Dartmouth, I never imagined being a researcher, leader and example for others in my first year. The university shapes students into people, ready to enter the world with confidence, teaching you everything you need to know along the way. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Your dedication is inspiring, Kailey and your story shows the value of hands-on opportunity at a public research institution. Thank you for showing us how UMass Dartmouth, focus on research and innovation, empower students to make a real world impact. We’re excited to see where your path leads you next. Thanks again.
Kaylan is here to give us a quick lesson on the history of Wichita State University. It’s a story of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, Pizza Hut was founded by two Shocker brothers right here in Wichita. Kaylan, the floor is yours.
– Thanks for that Alex. Hey y’all, when looking for a college getting real world work experience before graduating was the most important factor. I wanted opportunities to build my knowledge and confidence within education related fields. I love that Wichita State provides endless opportunities to enrich our academic interest and expand our world views. Since I’ve been a student here, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with speakers like the former Secretary of Defense, the head of CIA, presidential speech writer, and an evening news anchor. Throughout WSU’s history, we’ve attracted some hot tickets, including Elvis, Dave Chappelle, the Rolling Stones, and Tech Nine. At WSU I get a world class education and a chance to engage with my peers at fun and entertaining events. The vibrant campus life offers activities that make my time here truly memorable. When Wichita State opened in 1895, students rode horses to class and telegraphs were cutting edge. Since then, WSU has transformed into one of the nation’s premier urban public research universities. Remarkable entrepreneurs and leaders are among our notable alumni, including the founders of Pizza Hut, Rent-A-Center and Garmin, as well as the namesake of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steak Burgers. Our mascot, WuShock has also been transformed significantly since his creation in 1948, now, he’s our big muscle bound bundle of wheat. Despite sometimes being called one of the ugliest mascots Wu remains WSU’s number one fan and beloved symbol. When I started my journey at Wichita State, I had no idea of the opportunities I would have in and out of the classroom. I’ve gained valuable skills to add to my resume that will set me apart from others. I’ve also gained invaluable mentorships and friendships. That’s all for me. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Wichita State has had quite an exciting journey over the years from a tiny college with just 16 students and three faculty members to a flourishing urban public research university with a reputation for academic excellence, innovative problem solving, and community engagement and outreach. Thank you for the history lesson, Kaylan. That was so cool.
To tell us all about the value of a Wichita State education is Madi. WSU is the most affordable public research university in Kansas, and that’s a point of pride for Shocker Nation. That affordability comes with big opportunities for students to learn, build their resumes, and make a real difference in the professional world once they graduate. Tell us more, Madi. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi everyone. From a young age, I knew I wanted to go into a career that would allow me to make a difference in people’s lives. I also envisioned forging a path away from my hometown, but staying close enough to where I can visit family on the weekends. I chose Wichita State because it’s close to home without being too close. It’s super affordable and it offers great educational opportunities. Affordability was one of the most important things for my family and me. WSU offers tuition discounts to prospective students from places like Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, Missouri, Denver, St. Louis, and Chicago to name a few. The university also offers over $110 million in scholarships and financial aid annually, making a WSU education highly accessible. As a result, WSU graduates leave with less than half the average student debt of other college grads in the nation. Also, put your wallet away, all you need is a student ID to cheer on the Shockers at any home athletic event. Enjoy fine arts performances, work out at any of the 11 Wichita YMCA locations, including the newest one on campus, build and create at a makerspace and ride any of Wichita’s public buses. Wichita State is at the forefront of developing the new Wichita Biomedical campus downtown. It’s a $300 million facility that’s set to open in 2026. As a nursing student, I’m excited about the opportunities for collaboration, hands-on learning and interdisciplinary engagement with other health professionals that this state-of-the-art campus will provide. I would’ve never imagined I’d be where I am today, and I definitely would not have accomplished as much as I have if I hadn’t chosen WSU. I’ve made a great group of friends. I’ve had many career opportunities and I feel very supported. That’s all for me. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you so much Madi. Access and affordability are the highest priorities for Wichita State. And the University is constantly striving to ensure students have the support and resources they need to thrive throughout their educational journey and beyond. Thanks again, Madi.
Yumi is a grad student from Paraguay here to tell us all about her experience in the innovation design program. Wichita State offers students high level experiences like NASA suits, ecology research on 5,400 acres of prairie land and streams, and a top ranked aerospace program. Tell us more, Yumi.
– When I began my undergraduate studies in Paraguay, I knew I wanted to spend a semester abroad. Finding the right timing was challenging, but in 2021, I applied for a scholarship that offered the opportunity to study at a university in Kansas for one semester. After extensive research, I chose Wichita State, because it aligned best with my engineering degree. I discovered a variety of research opportunities. The innovation campus creates an exceptional ecosystem that brings technology from inception to market, creates high paying jobs, and contributes to the economic health of the region. I love that I could learn, apply, and connect. I loved it so much that I decided to return for my master in innovation design degree, I’m constantly developing human-centered, digital professional, and leadership skills. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to pursue agile certifications and travel. WSU’s Master of Innovation Design Degree was one of the first face-to-face programs focused on innovation in the nation. As part of my degree program, I have the opportunity to work with real world problems, allowing me to practice innovation processes with critical thinking, creativity, product management, and prototyping. One example is the NASA Suits team, which designs and develops augmented reality products to help astronauts under missions to Mars. As a top 10 finalist, my team was able to go to Houston to showcase our project. Whatever major you choose, you won’t just learn about it in a classroom at Wichita State University, you will gain experience doing it and be surrounded by faculty and students who will inspire you and set you up for success. Gracias Alex, back to you.
– From Paraguay to Wichita to NASA, that’s quite a journey for you Yumi. Wichita State offers remarkable applied research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, and the College of Innovation and Designs Interdisciplinary approach to problem solving gives students opportunities to collaborate and explore their passions. Thank you for sharing your story, Yumi.
Let’s meet Adam who is here to tell us about the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, which lives by the slogan, it’s not more work, it’s more meaningful work. Students in the Honors College are encouraged to go beyond the classroom with applied learning research or community involvement. Adam, tell us more.
– Thanks, Alex. When I started my college search, I dreamt of studying in the mountains. However, after numerous college visits and extensive research, I found my perfect fit at Wichita State. The family-like atmosphere made Wichita State’s campus feel like home. WSU’s Cohen Honors College offers numerous opportunities for scholarships, applied learning experiences, and networking. One of my favorite spots on campus is the 24/7 Cohen Honors College study lounge, where I take advantage of free printing and the chance to study and collaborate with peers. As a college student, I love free stuff. The Honors Baccalaureate program has allowed me to tailor my degree to match my career ambitions. I’ve chosen to study innovation design, digital marketing and wellness, and plan to use my thesis as an opportunity to launch a business that combines all three areas. The Cohen Honors College provides countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. Recently, I traveled to Maine for leadership training, which helped me enhance my skills in working with nonprofits. Receiving the Bill Cohen IMA scholarship alleviated my financial stress and provided an invaluable applied learning opportunity at IMA. Traveling to the company’s headquarters in Denver and meeting the leadership team was a true highlight of my journey. My passion for travel and desire to study abroad led me to an incredible summer in Barcelona, which was made possible by the Cohen Enhancement Scholarship. This generous support covered my education cost, and allowed me to backpack across Europe, creating memories I’ll cherish forever. Wichita State isn’t just about classes and studying, there are endless opportunities to tailor your experience through applied learning, custom majors, travel, and clubs. I’ll graduate with the tools and skills I need for post-graduation success. That’s my WSU story. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Adam. The Honors College has indeed taken you on exciting adventures. The college offers enhancement scholarships that allow students to pursue their passions, whether that’s study abroad, professional development or research. Students can also apply for Bill’s Trip, named after Bill Cohen. Students travel to a national park and spend the week serving and learning. That is incredible. Thanks again, Adam.
Kadrian is here to share all the ways Wichita State has supported her. Student success doesn’t just happen in the classroom. WSU takes a multifaceted student-centered approach to creating wraparound services that ensure every shocker thrives. From comprehensive advising and career services to mental health support and financial aid counseling, the university is dedicated to addressing the holistic needs of its students. Kadrian, tell us more.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, friends. I chose Wichita State for its partnerships with local hospitals and clinics, hands-on educational opportunities and emphasis on inclusive excellence. Every member of our faculty and staff is dedicated to the success of each student and I feel fully supported in my academic journey. Wichita State offers preseason academic programs like Passage to Success, Shocker Engineering Academy, and Immersive Leadership Institute, which helps students prepare for college life, expand their networks, and learn about research opportunities. Students can also connect with mentors in their field and meet with them periodically to discuss their academic progress and career paths. My job as a peer advisor at the Shocker Career Accelerator has allowed me to help students by reviewing their resumes, conducting mock interviews, and connecting them to other resources on campus, such as free professional headshots and business attire to establish their personal brand and get their dream jobs. WSU is fully invested in student success and the new Shocker Success Center puts dozens of resources under one roof. Tutoring, the writing center, the math lab, tech help, military and veteran services, a food pantry and so much more are all conveniently located in the heart of the WSU campus. We all know that it takes more than books and tutoring to be truly successful in college. The Student Wellness Center provides physical and mental health care to ensure that Shockers can be their best both inside and outside the classroom. As if that wasn’t enough WSU also provides free memberships to the YMCA on campus as well as 10 others across the Wichita area. Wichita State is a hidden gem. Thanks to the abundance of support, I have grown so much as an individual and made connections that will distinguish and propel me forward in my career. Back to you, Alex.
– That’s great, Kadrian. Wichita State takes its commitment seriously to foster student success. Every faculty and staff member believes that every student has the potential to achieve greatness and they invest in the resources and opportunities needed to make that potential a reality. Thanks again, Kadrian.
Let’s meet Leah. She is here to tell us all about the Fairmont College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which offers an incredibly diverse range of majors and minors from chemistry, to American Sign Language and Communication to Homeland Security. Take it away, Leah.
– Thanks, Alex. Hello everyone. I started exploring colleges as a freshman in high school and Wichita State was my very first visit. Ultimately, I chose to go with Wichita State ’cause of the people and affordability. I felt valued as a potential student during my visit and WSU offered many scholarship opportunities. I’ve been part of the Fairmont College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as an undergraduate and graduate student. LAS is the oldest and largest college on campus, and it has a diverse range of majors and minors, which allow me to branch out and explore new subjects. With the best professors and advisors I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with an emphasis on statistics, three minors and a certificate all while on the honors leadership track. Wichita State has an abundance of applied learning opportunities. Two of my favorites have been studying abroad and an internship I secured with the help of the criminal justice department. I received a scholarship through Wichita State to study criminal justice in London and Rome, and I also interned with the Wichita Police Department as a data analyst. Wichita State is home to the Sedwick County Law Enforcement Training Center, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives Crime Gun Center of Excellence. I now work for the WPD in Wichita’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center, a joint endeavor between WPD, ATF, and WSU. This would not have been possible without WSU programs. I knew I made the right decision when choosing Wichita State. The support of community enabled me to explore various minors, secure my internship, study abroad, and ultimately land my full-time career. The dedicated individuals at Wichita State made all the difference. Now I need to get back to finding felons with formulas. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow Leah, finding felons with formulas, that is funny. Wichita State Fairmont College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a plethora of applied learning opportunities from archeological sites and geological camps, to biology and conservation research. Thank you for sharing your story.
Let’s meet Jenna. She’s here to show us where Shockers live on campus. Wichita State’s residence life community offers comfortable modern facilities built with the needs of today’s students in mind. No shared showers or communal living. Each suite has a private bathroom and there are plenty of quiet spaces for students to study alone or with the group. Take it away, Jenna.
– Thank you so much for that introduction, Alex. Hi everyone. When I first began my college search, I was absolutely overwhelmed by all the different options. However, the minute I stepped onto Wichita State University’s campus, I knew that this was going to be home. I fell in love with the academics, the innovation, and the tight-knit community of Wichita. This sense of belonging began when I first stepped onto campus and continued on through scholarship competitions, the first day of classes and even continues to this day. At Wichita State University, there are three different on-campus housing options, Shocker Hall, the suites, and the flats. All three of these buildings are only around 10 years old, and so they’re filled with all new amenities, fully furnished laundry facilities, and plenty of space for students. The staff and resident assistants plan activities to keep students engaged on campus and build community throughout the year. In Shocker Hall, as a first year student, you can choose to live in a living learning community or an LLC. LLCs are designed to create a tight-knit community of students with similar academic interests. Living on an LLC floor was one of the main ways I found camaraderie at Wichita State. I have learned so much from living on campus, including how to manage my independence, how to balance my social life and schoolwork, and how to be overall successful here at Wichita State. I love the vibrant community and welcoming atmosphere of Wichita, and I’m eagerly anticipating the experiences and years to come at Wichita State. Thank you so much, and back to you, Alex.
– Wow Jenna, the food looks delicious. Wichita state’s on campus living options really focus on what students need to succeed. Thanks for all that info, Jenna. Take care.
Wichita State’s tagline, student-centered, innovation driven is a commitment to empowering students through innovation, research, and hands-on learning. I had the privilege to visit with President Rick Muma, to explore how this philosophy shapes student success and the university’s future. Let’s take a look.
I mean, what tremendous growth you have had over the last 10 years, remarkable.
– Yeah. It’s amazing. You know, I’ve been here for 28 years, and in the first 15 years of my career here I thought, well, we’re moving along pretty well, but in the last nine years we’ve developed this innovation campus really with the idea of connecting our students to business and industry much, much sooner in their career as a student, so they’re ready to start working when they graduate.
– Yeah, I mean, how fantastic. What great opportunity like combining the companies with the students that apply learning.
– I wish I would’ve had something like that when I was in school.
– Yeah, me too. This place is insane. Unbelievable. I mean, the applied learning that the students here are getting here, incredible.
– It really is, and when we built this facility, one of the first buildings we built on the innovation campus to give students hands-on experiences with these robots, but there’s all other kinds of things that you are seeing here in this facility that students are working on, and it’s also exploded research at the university. We’ve increased our research by over 200%. We have annual research awards, about $400 million, giving students even more opportunities to work on those research grants that we have now and it’s just amazing.
– Yeah, these are lucky students.
– Well, I got some more stuff to show you.
– Alright, let’s see it.
– Come on follow me. So this is the Shocker Success Center. We just opened it. We really did build this with intentionality, bringing together about 20 different offices to help support students. Tutoring, Shocker support locker, career closet, all kinds of other testing services just for them.
– Yeah. One building.
– And they don’t have to go all over campus, it’s just right here. Took an old building, gutted it down to the concrete studs, and then made this fantastic, fabulous building.
– Yeah, you can tell the students love it. It’s amazing. Thanks for spending the day. This has been great.
– Yeah, absolutely.
– Yeah, it’s awesome. That’s remarkable, President Muma. With Wichita State’s focus on innovation and real world experiences, students are gaining the skills and confidence to tackle any challenge they face ready to lead in today’s ever changing world. Thank you so much for spending time with us.
Ashlyn is here to tell us about WSU’s College of Applied Studies and how it’s helping her achieve her goal of becoming a teacher. The College of Applied Studies combines nationally accredited programs, exclusive scholarships, and applied learning opportunities to give students the resources they need to be tomorrow’s leaders, teachers, trainers, and sport professionals. We can’t wait to hear more Ashlyn, take it away.
– Thanks Alex, and hello everybody. I was born and raised a Shocker. I grew up just 30 minutes from Wichita and my mom graduated from WSU. Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I would bribe my younger siblings into playing school with me where I would take on the role of their instructor. During my first year, I lived in the suites with my best friend as my roommate and we had an amazing time experiencing everything campus life at Wichita State has to offer. We love studying at Starbucks and strolling around the beautiful campus. During my freshman year, I started working at the WSU Child Development Center, which solidified my desire to become a teacher. While working there, I learned about the Teacher Apprentice Program or TAP, which allowed me to earn credits towards my degree while teaching at the Childcare center. TAP is just one of the many programs that’s offered through Wichita State’s College of Applied Studies. Students can gain valuable professional skills across various fields, including counseling, organizational leadership and learning, exercise science, sport management, and athletic training. The College of Applied Studies also houses the award-winning eSports program and it offers cutting edge research opportunities in the state-of-the-art human performance lab, as well as internships with leading sports and leadership organizations. I currently hold a full-time staff position at the Child Development Center as its lead substitute teacher. I want to be a lead preschool teacher once I graduate. I never knew how much of an impact that WSU in the College of Applied Studies would have on me, and I look forward to continuing my career at WSU. Go Shocks! Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Ashlyn. You’re well on your way to achieving your goal to become a teacher, and Wichita State’s College of Applied Studies innovative approach to education is certainly helping you get there. Thanks again and take care.