Photo courtesy of Cary Doerflinger
Hometown
Edmond, OK
Degree received
Spanish and Psychology with University Honors minor
Which organizations were you involved in?
The Student Ambassador Society, International Buddy Program, Health Occupation Students
of America (HOSA) and Community Service Board.
Why did you choose Wichita State University?
WSU was not where I planned to attend college during my senior year of high school.
That all changed when I happened to visit my family in Wichita and decided I might
as well tour WSU. This tour completely shifted my perspective. I was immediately impressed
by how friendly and welcoming the staff was. I had been nervous about going on a college
tour, but everyone made me feel at ease. During the visit, it became clear that Wichita
State truly values each student’s experience. This was evident through the many unique
opportunities they offer, their constant expansion of academic opportunities, and
the well-maintained campus. By the end of the tour, I could clearly see myself not
only attending WSU, but also thriving in such a supportive and caring environment.
How did being involved with the Student Ambassador Society impact your time at WSU?
The Student Ambassador Society has allowed me to meet a wide range of people and form meaningful friendships with students from many different majors. Another important impact of SAS was how it pushed me to grow as a leader. Through my involvement, I developed stronger public speaking, interpersonal, and adaptability skills. These experiences not only helped me become more confident but also better prepared me to connect with others and represent WSU in a positive and professional way.
The Student Ambassador Society has allowed me to meet a wide range of people and form meaningful friendships with students from many different majors. Another important impact of SAS was how it pushed me to grow as a leader. Through my involvement, I developed stronger public speaking, interpersonal, and adaptability skills. These experiences not only helped me become more confident but also better prepared me to connect with others and represent WSU in a positive and professional way.
Which Wichita State faculty or staff member impacted you the most during your time
here?
This is a difficult question to answer because I would not be graduating without the support of so many professors and staff at Wichita State. However, I would especially like to recognize the Spanish department for their impact on my experience. Learning a new language is never easy, and one of my biggest challenges was becoming comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone. My Spanish professors consistently supported me when I needed help, while also pushing me to grow in ways I never imagined. Their encouragement and guidance strengthened my language skills by helping me build confidence in my Spanish that extends beyond the classroom.
This is a difficult question to answer because I would not be graduating without the support of so many professors and staff at Wichita State. However, I would especially like to recognize the Spanish department for their impact on my experience. Learning a new language is never easy, and one of my biggest challenges was becoming comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone. My Spanish professors consistently supported me when I needed help, while also pushing me to grow in ways I never imagined. Their encouragement and guidance strengthened my language skills by helping me build confidence in my Spanish that extends beyond the classroom.
How do you feel about graduating?
As I prepare to graduate next December, it still feels surreal. I know I will deeply
miss my WSU community, the caring faculty, my friends, and the beautiful campus. At
the same time, I am excited to see where the future takes me. WSU has had a lasting
impact on who I am today, and I am grateful for everything I have learned here. I
look forward to carrying these experiences with me as I continue my education and
pursue my goal of occupational therapy!
Which experience at Wichita State challenged you the most and what did you take away
from that challenge?
One of the most challenging experiences I had at Wichita State was my clinical anatomy class. It was my first experience working with cadavers, which took time to adjust to, but ultimately became an incredibly meaningful learning opportunity. The challenging nature of this course pushed me to grow as a student and develop more effective study strategies that have continued to benefit me in other classes. Beyond academics, I gained a new understanding of how incredibly amazing the human body is and all that it does!
One of the most challenging experiences I had at Wichita State was my clinical anatomy class. It was my first experience working with cadavers, which took time to adjust to, but ultimately became an incredibly meaningful learning opportunity. The challenging nature of this course pushed me to grow as a student and develop more effective study strategies that have continued to benefit me in other classes. Beyond academics, I gained a new understanding of how incredibly amazing the human body is and all that it does!
What are your post-grad plans?
I am planning on attending Occupational Therapy School starting next summer!
What advice would you give to incoming students?
My advice is to talk to your professors and get to know them. So many of the opportunities
I’ve had at Wichita State are thanks to my amazing professors. If you want to get
involved in research, start by bringing it up to one of them. Even if they are not
personally involved in research, they likely know someone who is. Even if you just
want a recommendation for a new restaurant, professors are a great resource! Many
of them have lived in Wichita for years and trust me, they know what’s good!