Finding community, creating change: Meet Shocker Pride Scholar Anestacia Marston

Moving to a new country is a leap of faith. For Anestacia Marston, it meant leaving behind the close-knit family who had always been her support system and starting a new chapter thousands of miles from home.

When it came time to choose a university in the United States, Wichita State stood out.

“I didn’t know anything about America,” Anestacia said. “As an international student, Wichita State seemed like the perfect place to start because of all the resources, support systems and people available to help students succeed.”

Now a psychology major with a concentration in social work and a minor in communication, Anestacia has found more than a place to earn a degree. She has found a community where she can pursue her passion for helping others while preparing for a future dedicated to advocacy.

“My goal is to advocate for marginalized communities,” she said. “That’s what drives me.”

That commitment to service already extends beyond the classroom. Throughout her time at Wichita State, Anestacia has volunteered with organizations including The Lord’s Diner, The Salvation Army and local literacy-focused initiatives, using those experiences to better understand the needs of the Wichita community.

“Volunteering gives you a feel for what people are going through,” she said. “When you understand the challenges people face, you’re better able to help.”

Her desire to make a difference also led her to take on one of her proudest accomplishments at Wichita State: founding a chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Launching the organization required leadership training, recruiting members, interviewing and selecting executive board members and building the chapter from the ground up. Today, the chapter has grown to serve hundreds of students.

“Starting the chapter taught me so much about leadership and communication,” she said. “It’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”

Those leadership experiences are helping prepare Anestacia for ambitious goals after graduation. While many students are focused on completing their bachelor’s degree, she is already looking ahead to graduate school.

“Community psychology is where I’m leaning,” she said. “I want to continue learning about how to create positive change within communities.”

As a recipient of the Shocker Pride Scholarship, Anestacia says donor support has made a meaningful difference in that journey.

The scholarship helps ease the financial burden that many students face, particularly international students, who often have fewer funding opportunities available to them. “It lifts a financial weight from my shoulders,” she said.

For Anestacia, being selected as a Shocker Pride Scholar was both humbling and motivating. “I felt honored,” she said. “There were so many incredible students who applied. To be selected was something I was very grateful for.”

The scholarship’s emphasis on mentorship is another aspect she values. She hopes to connect with mentors who can help her continue growing as a leader, improve her communication skills and navigate the next steps in her academic journey.

While Wichita has become a second home, Anestacia admits that being away from family for the first time has been one of the biggest challenges of her college experience.

“My family is a huge part of my life,” she said. “Each person has played a role in helping me become who I am today.”

That support, combined with opportunities at Wichita State and investments from Shocker alumni and friends, continues to fuel her success.

To those who participate in the Shocker Pride license plate program and support scholarships for students like her, Anestacia has a simple message: “Thank you. Your support is making a real difference,” she said. “You may not know the students you’re helping, but your investment helps make our goals possible. For many students, it can be the reason they are able to continue their education and ultimately walk across the graduation stage.”

For Anestacia, the impact goes beyond a scholarship. “It’s life-changing,” she said. “What may seem like a simple act of support can create opportunities that last a lifetime.”