Since our blog debuted in 2017, we have published 500+ posts. While some of you may have been with us from the start (thank you, loyal readers!), others may have joined us more recently.
So, we’re highlighting periodically some of the posts that have garnered a lot of views or that address topics of continuing interest in the current moment — posts that you may have missed or that you might want to revisit.
Today, as we celebrate her 2025 Rising Professional Award from the College of Health and Human Sciences, we look back to a 2018 “Undergrad Student Spotlight” from Desiree Schippers (BA ’19) where she reflects on her decision to double-major in English and Gerontology.
As Desiree explains,
When I got into Gerontology research my freshman year, I was terrified that I wouldn’t be cut out for it. I had grown up being taught that there was a distinct difference between STEM and the arts and that people were either a part of one group, or the other. However, … I found that my close reading skills and ability to articulate ideas in writing were crucial to my research. An important part of the research process is communicating your findings to team members, colleagues, and members of the public…. To me, an integral part of research is the ability to spread knowledge and understanding, and research isn’t doing its job if only a select few can understand it.
See the full post at “Undergrad Student Spotlight: Desiree Schippers” — and congratulations to Desiree on her award and her continued professional success as a marketing and communications associate and documentary filmmaker!
— Karin Westman, Department Head
K-State English 