As a recipient of both the Clay Barton and Rudd scholarships, Bella Kilman has distinguished herself on the Wichita State campus. Through the Rudd Foundation, student government and internships, she built her resume and found a family among the campus community.
Bella is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2026 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
What degree will you be earning in May?
Bachelor's of Business Administration in marketing and international business, minor in management
What is your hometown?
Valley Center, Kansas
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
Valley Center High School
When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a kid, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. People said I was good at arguing, and I loved talking to everyone, so it made sense. Turns out, business felt more like me.
What made you choose Wichita State University?
I chose Wichita State for several reasons. Being close to home made the transition to college easier, and the university’s generous scholarships were a major factor. I was honored to be named a Barton Scholar and a 2023 Rudd Scholar, which meant I could attend college debt-free as a first-generation student. Beyond that, the business school’s reputation for preparing students for success was a big draw, and I was excited to be part of that community.
Did you receive any scholarships to attend Wichita State?
I was honored to receive both the Rudd Foundation Scholarship and the Clay Barton
Scholarship.
The Rudd Foundation Scholarship was truly life changing. I came to college with very
little financial support and without much of a family at home. Rudd truly gave me
a family. I formed relationships that will last far beyond my college years. The scholarship
also allowed me to take on opportunities that did not pay as well but gave me the
experience I needed to grow professionally. Most importantly, Rudd gave me a sense
of belonging. For the first time, I felt like my past no longer defined my future.
The Barton Scholarship was equally transformative. Through Barton, I became deeply
involved in the business school and learned how to network, advocate for myself, and
navigate professional settings with confidence. Barton also provided me with a phenomenal
community. Surrounded by staff, faculty and fellow students, I felt supported, encouraged
and empowered to fully engage in my college experience.
What applied learning experiences did you participate in during your time here?
During my time at Wichita State, I engaged in a variety of applied learning experiences
that allowed me to translate classroom knowledge into real-world skills.
Through the Rudd Foundation, I served as a marketing intern and then marketing coordinator.
In these roles, I developed and executed strategic marketing campaigns, managed content
across multiple platforms, and led communications initiatives for scholars and prospective
students across Kansas. I also planned and executed large-scale events, such as the
annual Freshman Retreat, creating programs that encouraged connection and community.
These experiences strengthened my skills in marketing strategy, content creation,
analytics and professional communication while giving me the opportunity to lead initiatives
that had a tangible impact.
In student government, I served as chief elections commissioner and deputy commissioner
of marketing. I led campaigns to boost voter engagement, breaking seven out of eight
engagement records and increasing turnout to more than 2,300 students. These roles
allowed me to gain hands-on experience in leadership, project management, marketing
and stakeholder coordination in a fast-paced environment.
I also gained professional experience through internships outside of campus. I completed
a micro-internship as a social media assistant in Steamboat, Colorado, at the Steamboat
Music Festival, further building skills in digital marketing and content strategy.
Across all these experiences, I learned how to apply classroom concepts in practical
settings, lead projects, collaborate with teams and create impact in both professional
and community-focused environments.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
Truthfully, and I know it sounds cliché: Live and do as much as you can. Be fully present in the relationships you build in college. It is easy to focus only on academics; and while that is incredibly important, so is finding your people and investing in those connections. Get involved in organizations that surround you with like-minded individuals. You will not regret it.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will transition to a full-time role with the Rudd Foundation as their marketing and events specialist. In August, I will also begin pursuing my Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in marketing.
Fun question: You suddenly find yourself in the middle of a dance battle. What's the first move you're gonna hit 'em with?
100% try to go for the dance from the “White Chicks” movie.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (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 National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.
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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