3.27.25

Opportunities at WSU push Shocker toward success

Growing up, Kaylan Richardson has always enjoyed being in the classroom. Combining this with her passion for helping others, she was inspired to pursue a degree in elementary education. After arriving at Wichita State, she quickly realized that learning wasn’t just about what she could offer; it was also about the community that would open doors of opportunity for her success.

Moving away from her hometown, Richardson was nervous about navigating her newfound independence in an unfamiliar city with no one she knew. This fresh start, however, challenged her introversion and motivated her to explore everything the campus had to offer.

“I thought college was just about attending classes, but I learned to try new things,” she said. “From student organizations to campus activities, they led me to meet friends and helped me be more successful.”

Joining organizations like the Student Ambassador Society helped her come out of her shell, developing her public speaking skills through leadership positions like vice president of marketing. Here, Richardson found a passion in organizational leadership and marketing, which led her to pursue minors in both fields while studying elementary education. WSU’s support for her array of interests helped her find opportunities to develop skills in these areas. One highlight has been working as the events and marketing student assistant for the Office of Admissions.

“Working in the admissions office solidified my joy in working in higher education,” said Richardson. “The hands-on experience has shown me there are other areas of working in education besides teaching.”

Like many students, Richardson was funding her own college education, and while she knew it was worth the cost, the financial burden was always a concern. Thankfully, through scholarships like the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement’s Shocker Pride Scholarship, she’s been able to reduce some of the financial burden while also gaining professional career development and community experiences.

“The scholarship has made it more feasible for me to pay out of pocket,” she said. “I’ve been able to use my paychecks to pay for school and still have money to pay for rent.”

Through the community’s help, Wichita has become a second home that supports her success, and she couldn’t be more grateful. Her experience has made it easy for her to share her Shocker spirit nationwide. In February 2025, Richardson was featured on Wichita State’s episode of The College Tour, a Prime Video series that features college campuses across the country. Her advice for students is to embrace opportunities without fear of failure.

“The College Tour was not something I would have seen myself doing, but it was a really cool learning experience that got me out of my comfort zone to try something new.”

In spring 2026, Richardson will graduate with her bachelor’s degree, but it’s not a goodbye to Shocker Nation. She plans to continue her higher education journey here by obtaining her master’s and doctorate degrees. She is uncertain where her education degree will take her next, but she is certain that WSU has shown her a world of possibilities.