2.26.25

Campus support empowers Shocker student to succeed

Sometimes, the smallest choices lead to the biggest opportunities. Shocker senior Michelle Anderson learned just that when she decided on a whim to enroll in an accounting class at her high school. Although initially hesitant, she discovered her knack for the subject. After learning about Wichita State’s nationally-recognized School of Accountancy within the Barton School of Business, she knew she wanted to join Shocker Nation to pursue her career.

As she progressed through her degree, however, she encountered significant challenges. During high school, Anderson reflects that she didn’t care about her grades or success in the classroom. When she came into college with the same mentality, she found that she had created her own barrier to success.

“In high school, I just wanted to pass my classes. I didn’t care about being the best student,” she said. “But in college, I’ve realized that it’s okay to want to do good—to not only succeed, but excel.”

Her switch in mentality stemmed from the campus’s most important resource: the people. She joined organizations like Beta Alpha Psi, the national accounting honor society, surrounding herself with other accounting majors. Finding her community enabled her to open up about her difficulties in school and gave her the motivation to succeed. And even when she doubted herself, her instructors, like accounting professor Michael Flores, recognized her strengths and encouraged her to work toward earning her credentials to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

“Because I had doubts as an accounting major, Professor Flores’ guidance helped me realize that I’m skilled in accounting,” she said.

Her initial attitude toward school wasn’t the only barrier to her success. Anderson grew up in a single-income household, so she was always concerned about the cost of higher education.

“I had to take out a lot of loans my freshman year. It caused a lot of financial stress not only for me but my mom,” she says. “If I didn’t have financial support with scholarships, I would have had to move back home.”

In 2024, Anderson received the Shocker Pride Scholarship, which provided financial aid and introduced her to alumni mentor, Ramon Emmart ’15, a talent acquisition manager at Adams Brown Strategic Allies and CPAs. He has helped her with resumes and professional etiquette and introduced her to local CPA firms.

“I’m very grateful for Ramon,” she said. “He connected me with a tax manager after learning about my background and interests, and she inspired me to pursue tax accounting as a specialty.”

From her peers, professors, mentors and more, she found her own family to help her get through the hardships of college, making Wichita feel like a home away from home.

“Finding the right community here at WSU is the biggest asset to be successful,” she said.

Now nearing graduation, Anderson realizes she had the ability to succeed all along. But it was the support at WSU that gave her the confidence and motivation to thrive. Her work has not gone unnoticed. In January 2025, she was recognized by the Barton School of Business as one of the “25 Under 25” honorees, an achievement that highlights undergraduate excellence in academics, leadership, entrepreneurship, professional development, involvement or community contributions.

“This award helped me realize that accounting is what I’m meant to do and that all my hard work has been worth it,” she said.

After graduating this May with her bachelor’s degree, Anderson plans to move back to Houston, Texas, earn her master’s in accounting, pass the CPA exam and join the accounting workforce. Although it’s a cutthroat industry, her continuous resilience will push her forward in the right direction to success.