CourtesyAngelique Banh comes from a Shocker family, so there was never any question of where she would attend college. When she arrived on campus, she hit the ground running with three majors and a member of the Cohen Honors College leadership track.
Angelique is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring/summer 2020 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
What is your degree in?
I will be earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a triple major – marketing, management and human resource management. I will also be completing the Cohen Honors College leadership track.
What led you to WSU?
I was born and raised in Wichita. I wanted to stay in town for college. My whole family attended Wichita State University and enjoyed their experience. I knew I would receive a quality education and endless opportunities at an affordable price. When I went on a campus visit, the incredible people and atmosphere sealed the deal!
How are you feeling leading up to graduation?
All good things come to an end. I’m sad that everyone is going their separate ways, but I’m very much looking forward to our future accomplishments. I’m also feeling some stress because several things must be done in a limited amount of time.
What are your career plans?
I plan to return to WSU in the fall to pursue a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship and innovation. I love supporting local businesses and down the road, I hope to open a small business of my own.
How has the COVID-19 crisis altered those plans, if at all?
The crisis has not really altered those plans, but it has impacted my last semester as an undergraduate student. Unfortunately, I will not be able to experience all the special events that seniors typically participate in. However, I’m so glad that WSU is trying to accommodate seniors by planning a virtual commencement ceremony in May, as well as an in-person commencement ceremony in October.
What advice do you have for other students on how to cope with the uncertainty of these times?
Take it day by day and try to be optimistic. You can spend this extra time at home doing activities that bring you joy. You could also try to learn a new skill. There are many free workshops and certifications being offered at the moment! Check out Coursera.
What has been your most helpful learning experience while a student at WSU?
I’d say my most helpful learning experience as a student was a group project for the Management 463 course, Building Effective Work Teams. My team was entirely responsible for planning and executing a multipart service project for ICT SOS, an organization that fights human trafficking. I’m very proud that my team hosted a seminar featuring the founder of ICT SOS, a survivor of human trafficking, and local law enforcement. We also hosted a donation drive and a couple fundraisers throughout the semester. This real-world project resulted exceptional and meaningful learning experience. My biggest takeaway – collaboration is greater than competition.
What was been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
Shortly after I started my sophomore year, my dad passed away. As you can imagine, navigating 18 credit hours, multiple student organizations while still grieving was tremendously difficult. I met with my professors to discuss when I would make up the required coursework, which took a big weight off my shoulders. I’m extremely grateful for everyone in the WSU community who showed me support during that time.
