Tag: student stories

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.

For Makenna Roths, nature is more than a passion – it’s personal. Growing up, her Grandpa Ron taught her about wildlife, taking her fishing, camping and hiking, all of which sparked her interest in environmental science and preserving nature’s beauty.

“I want to protect nature because it’s so meaningful to me and my memories with my grandpa,” she said.

Now a senior at Wichita State, Roths is working toward that goal. Double majoring in geology and honors baccalaureate, she’s focusing on environmental sustainability and organizational leadership and gaining hands-on experience in her roles as treasurer of the Geology Club and a success mentor under the Office of Student Success.

In addition to on-campus involvement, WSU has given Roths resources and learning opportunities for personal and career growth. Through the Cohen Honors College, Roths attended a BILL’S Trip (Building Investment in Lifelong Leadership & Service), gaining first-hand experience in national parks, connecting with park rangers and developing servant leadership skills. As a WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement’s Shocker Pride Scholar, she highlights the impact of access to professional development opportunities.

“The Networking 101 workshop in the Shocker Pride Scholars program taught me how to introduce myself effectively,” said Roths. “Later that day, those skills were helpful to have when I presented a poster at the Geological Society of America annual conference.”

Her continuous involvement in environmental studies sets her on the right track to achieving her dream career. She wants to be a park ranger for the National Park Service; a role that allows her to preserve natural sites and educate visitors about the environment. Additionally, she hopes to apply her leadership skills as an educator and changemaker.

“The foundation of my goals lies in teaching environmental science,” said Roths. “I would love to teach environmental science to younger generations, get them involved in it, aware of the situation that our environment is in and inspire them to do something with it.”

With graduation nearby, Roths reflects on the opportunities WSU has given her. The support has allowed her to focus on self-development and meaningful career work. After she graduates in May, she is certain her education has prepared her to embark on her journey as a park ranger.

Kyla Gordon knew her ambitions didn’t fit the typical 9-to-5. While her peers aim for corporate offices, her culinary passion led her on a different route: an aspiring restaurant owner. She decided to pursue management at Wichita State to turn this dream into reality. But as a first-generation student, she worried about the uncertainties of college. Fortunately, she found a supportive community on campus to help her along the way.

“Before college, I had never dealt with much money, so the costs of college were scary,” said Gordon.

This financial intimidation led her to seek guidance from the Office of Financial Aid. There, she found a safe space to voice her concerns and discuss her finances. With help from them and her parents, Gordon learned effective budgeting that made overwhelming college expenses manageable.

Beyond financial assistance, college introduced Gordon to mentorships. These vital relationships have supported her academic success and career growth. Through the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement’s Shocker Pride Scholarship, she connected with Ramon Emmart ‘15, who provided her with professional insights and guidance in building essential business skills.

“I didn’t know about cover letters until coming to college,” she said, “but Ramon taught me the importance of selling yourself to target the right job.”

Outside of the classroom, Gordon has sought hands-on learning opportunities to apply her education and set her up for her career in restaurants. During summers, she works at her dad’s business in Colorado to develop her management skills, getting a behind-the-scenes experience of what goes into running a business. She has also found her part-time job as a Chick-fil-A employee to be incredibly beneficial; unlike many food service workers, she feels the role is preparing her for her future career.

“Chick-fil-A gives me work experience in the hospitality industry, focusing on the customer side of business,” she explained. “By working my way up the ladder at Chick-fil-A, I can apply what I learn to my future business and feel confident running it.”

Although it may be years before she opens a restaurant, Gordon is ready to take on the endeavor. She graduates in spring 2025 and plans to use what she’s learned to gain more experience in hospitality management. Through her hard work, she is confident in pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams.

Wichita native Bailey Wise always knew she wanted to work with kids. After exploring different professions, she discovered a field in child development.

“The first time I shadowed a speech pathologist, I knew I wanted to do it for the rest of my life,” she said.

She decided to major in communication sciences and disorders and psychology at Wichita State. However, Wise quickly realized tuition would be the greatest obstacle in pursuing her education. Despite working as a paraeducator to earn money and gain first-hand experience helping kids, she knew this income wouldn’t cover all her expenses, and began seeking out scholarships to help her afford college.

In 2024, she received the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement’s Shocker Pride Scholarship, funded through each purchase of a Shocker Pride license plate.

“This scholarship means I don’t have to worry about the smaller things,” said Wise. “I’ll pay for my books, and I’m not having to come up with that money. I’m not having to take out extra loans or dip into my savings to pay tuition.” She added, “It has made my life so much easier.”

The Shocker Pride Scholars program also provided Wise with an alumni mentor, Lauren Eichman ‘20, a therapist at ICT Therapy Works. Eichman has shared professional advice that prepares Wise for life after college.

“She was in my shoes before so learning from her experience has been incredible,” said Wise.

Scholarship support helps students like Wise pursue higher education, giving them the confidence to achieve their goals without financial worry.

“I didn’t know if I’d be able to come to college because of the financial burden,” said Wise, “but receiving scholarship money made me realize I could do it.”

Wise will graduate in spring 2025 with her bachelor’s degree and plans to pursue a master’s in speech-language pathology. After, she hopes to work in a school setting to support children’s speech development. She is thankful to all the donors who have generously contributed to not only her academic journey but to other students as well.

“It’s much more than a scholarship,” she said. “We feel supported; we feel valued.”