Courtesy photoThe Rudd Foundation was established in 1994 by Wichita State University graduate Leslie Rudd. The Rudd Scholars Program has helped more than 100 Kansans attend WSU and benefit from the program’s mentoring, personal and professional development, and community.
Rudd Scholars at Wichita State are supported by many developmental activities outside the classroom, including networking with working professionals, peers and alumni.
Here's what Rudd Scholar Amy Nguyen has to say about her time at WSU:
Hometown
Wichita
Year in school
Sophomore
Major
International business with minors in organizational leadership and marketing
Why did you apply for the Rudd Scholarship?
I applied for the Rudd Scholarship because I saw the impact that this program has made for other scholars.
The Rudd Scholarship is beyond the dollar, which was extremely impactful. Being a first-generation student, I was extremely nervous about the transition into college and did not know who to reach out to for resources and answers. I took a wild shot and applied knowing it was a slim chance. Crazy enough, I was able to earn a spot in the program.
Why did you choose Wichita State?
Wichita State provided a great number of resources and support. The university is also close to home, which is a plus.
How did the Rudd Scholarship and support structure at Wichita State help your academic progress?
The Rudd Scholarship is like no other.
This program has such amazing staff that helps you transition into college extremely smoothly. The program also has a mentoring program which is very nice when you are lost and have a lot of questions! We do monthly one on ones where we can talk about everything that is going on and see if we need the extra support and guidance.
Rudd’s office is also close to campus so when we are unmotivated, we head over to the office and somehow automatically feel productive again.
How did the Rudd Scholarship and support structure at Wichita State help your professional development?
The Rudd Scholarship helped me with setting up my LinkedIn profile right into my college career which benefited me a lot.
I was able to land multiple internships my freshman year because of the extra resources, workshops and connections that the Rudd Foundation offers.
How did joining a cohort of scholars at Wichita State shape your experience?
Joining a cohort of scholars shaped my experience at Wichita State in the most positive way.
Some of my best friends are also Rudd Scholars. They ended up being my roommates and connecting with me on a whole other level. These individuals supported me before I even started my first day of college.
Tell us about your applied learning opportunities through Wichita State?
I found an applied learning opportunity with The Smart Factory @ Wichita here on campus through the Shocker Career Accelerator.
The Rudd Scholarship is designed to keep talented, hard-working Kansans in Kansas – what does that goal mean to you?
My goal is to give back to the Kansas community, just like how the Rudd Scholarship impacted my college career.
What should a Rudd Scholar know about Wichita State?
Get involved. There are so many different opportunities for you to find your community here on campus.
How has being a Rudd Scholar while studying in the state’s largest city shaped your education and career goals?
It definitely opened my eyes. There are so many different things I can do with my major, so I am testing the waters as much as I can.
What has been your most helpful learning experience at Wichita State?
Getting connected with individuals across campus and being able to network within different organizations has been an amazing learning experience at Wichita State.
Aside from gatherings with other Rudd Scholars, what organizations are you involved
in on-campus and in the community?
I’ve been involved in Student Government Association, Ambassadors for the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Phenomenal Women, Community Service Board and others. These organizations are important to me because in each I have a different community of people with different perspectives, personalities and goals. Those experiences teach me a lot about myself.
What are your plans after graduation?
My plan is to work for a non-profit organization specializing in youth engagement, but if my experiences continue well in corporate, that route might be in my future as well.
What advice would you give to students applying for the Rudd Scholarship?
Just do it! You will regret it if you don't apply. When you do apply, be your authentic self. Don’t try to fit an image that you think the Rudd program is looking for.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
For more information, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.
