With two young children at home, U.S. Air Force Major Jade Driggs needed to learn
to ask and accept help from others while she was working toward her Ph.D. in human
factors psychology. She chose Wichita State University for its impressive human factors
psychology program and the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence.
Jade is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2024 graduation. Learn
more about her time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
What degree will you be earning in May?
Doctorate in human factors psychology
What is your hometown?
Sacramento, California
What made you choose Wichita State University?
WSU has a phenomenal human factors psychology Ph.D. program, which initially drew me to the university. I also appreciated WSU’s commitment to diversity. As a mixed-race woman and a mother to two mixed-raced daughters, diversity is something that has always been personally and professionally important to me.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
I’m married and have two young daughters (ages 4 and almost 2). My biggest challenge as a student has been juggling home and school life. It’s been a delicate balancing act during my time at WSU, but I overcame it by being honest with myself and admitting when I needed extra help. Asking for help is a strength and not a weakness. I’m fortunate to have a supportive husband (and out-of-state family members). During high-stress times, I lined up extra support from family (for child care purposes, because young kids often get sick at daycare) or asked my husband to deconflict my school schedule with his work schedule.
What's your favorite off-campus location in Wichita?
I have the biggest sweet tooth and love Frost in College Hill.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
“A Lot Going on at the Moment”
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m in the U.S. Air Force, and I’ll be headed to the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, later this summer.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
Anything worth doing in life is going to be difficult. Keep your head up, you can do it!
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 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.
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