Kaitlyn Cowen will graduate in spring 2022. She chose to attend Wichita State because of its access and affordability.
Kaitlyn is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2022 graduation. Learn more about her time at WSU and what is next for the grad.
Hometown
Andover, Kansas
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Health Management and Health Science, with minors in psychology, biological sciences, public health, and aging studies.
What made you want to attend Wichita State?
I chose to attend WSU because the scholarships that WSU offered me allowed me to graduate debt-free while also staying close to family and friends.
How are you feeling leading up to graduation?
I am feeling nervous but excited about the future. I'm looking forward to starting my career and continuing my education in graduate school.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student and how dd you overcome it?
During my time at WSU, the biggest challenge was probably all the changes that this campus and I had to make because of COVID-19. Adjusting to temporarily living at home, attending online classes, and having to pull back from student organizations was tough.
What has been your most helpful learning experience at Wichita State?
My most helpful learning experience has been my position as a student assistant at Student Health Services. I've learned so many valuable skills and have been able to apply the things that I learned in my classes directly in an office setting.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will be attending Johns Hopkins University in Maryland to pursue a Master of Health Science in Epidemiology.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your time at Wichita State?
As an on-campus resident and a College of Health Professions student, COVID-19 impacted my time at Wichita State greatly. Although I lost a sense of community in one aspect due to the pandemic, I gained another in working at Student Health administering COVID-19 tests and helping with vaccine distribution on campus.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
I would advise other Wichita State students to put themselves out there, to step out of their comfort zones, meet new people and experience everything that the school has to offer. Your time here goes by so fast, and the connections you make can make a difference to your level of success once you leave.
