On behalf of all of us at Wichita State University, I extend our warmest congratulations for your achievements. Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this moment, and we couldn’t be prouder.
As you take the next step, know that everyone in Shocker Nation is proud of you, and we are rooting for your success every step of the way. And we are, of course, always ready to welcome you back. Whether it’s a visit, another degree or perhaps to cheer on the next generation of Shockers. Congratulations once again and best wishes for your future endeavors.
Yumi Kikuchi first came to Wichita State University as part of an exchange program and decided she wanted to pursue her graduate studies at the College of Innovation and Design. Her advice to other students? “Take chances. Life is an experiment, and college is the perfect time to explore, get involved and discover what truly excites you.”
Natasha Seneviratne found her place at Wichita State through family ties, supportive scholarships and hands-on experiences that helped her grow into a confident engineer.
After earning his GED at 16, Brian Triliegi returned to college decades later and is now graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in organizational leadership from Wichita State.
Wichita State, WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) and Wichita Public Schools (WPS) have announced a new partnership designed to strengthen the region’s teacher workforce through the launch of the Future Teacher Academy and a 2+2 pathway program.
This innovative partnership offers WPS graduates a seamless route to earn their teaching licensure. Students will complete two years at WSU Tech in the paraeducator program, then transfer to Wichita State for two additional years, all while gaining hands-on experience as paraeducators in local classrooms.
“Developing a strong, local teacher workforce is critical to the future of our region,” President Rick Muma said. “Through this partnership, we’re investing in students who will have a lasting impact on the future success of our schools and our community.”
Sedgwick County health officials are closely monitoring the spread of measles in Kansas. Unvaccinated residents are the most at risk when traveling to areas with known outbreaks or when traveling internationally. While preparing for summer travel, both domestically and internationally, and returning to families at the end of the semester, Student Health advises you to review your personal vaccination history and refer to the Sedgwick County document for measles (MMR) vaccine recommendations.
Student Health Services can administer MMR vaccines and provide up-to-date information on its health advisories page. Call 316-978-4792 for more information regarding insurance coverage and costs of the measles vaccination, as well as discuss if you should receive an MMR booster.
Lee Frank will attend the University of Kansas School of Law after completing Wichita State’s Legal Education Accelerated Degree. Her internship with a law firm got her started on her career with experience working with attorneys and attending trials.
Braden Webb, a Gore Scholar, capitalized on Wichita State’s strong engineering program and his passion for transportation issues. He worked at NIAR WERX, studied in London and interned for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in Washington, D.C. After graduation, he will return to WMATA to start his career in an associate project management position.
Want to stay connected with campus and support student initiatives? The ShockerSync calendar is the place to go for up-to-date information on events hosted by student organizations. Many events are open to faculty and staff, providing opportunities for you to get to know students at WSU. Visit wichita.edu/shockersync.
All graduating students are invited to The Toast, an annual celebratory event, at 5 p.m. Friday, May 16 in the Rhatigan Student Center east courtyard (MGC Quad). WSU is combining the multicultural graduation celebration, the first-generation graduation celebration and the lavender graduation celebration with The Toast, which will celebrate all students together.
The Toast allows students to express their cultural and academic backgrounds at commencement — held May 16 and 17 — by wearing one or more of the cords that will be available at The Toast.
