On March 27, 2025, along with ten other alumni, Desiree Schippers, 2019 B.A. in English/creative writing, with a secondary major in gerontology, was recognized by the College of Health and Human Sciences as a rising professional.
In 2022, Desiree earned her MFA in Documentary Media at Northwestern University. Currently, Desiree is a marketing and communications associate and documentary filmmaker at the North Shore Senior Center, in the greater Chicago area.
At the awards ceremony, Professor Laci Cornelison, Director of the Center on Aging, praised Desiree’s work as a student in gerontology, calling her a “trailblazer.” One of the things Desiree is remembered by in the Center on Aging is her purple and orange turtle design. Desiree’s design is now used on a sticker representing the center on aging. Traditionally, the turtle is seen as a symbol of longevity.
In addition to her day job in marketing and communications, Desiree continues to write and make films. Two of her films, Fail First, and дом, have been screened in film festivals, including Aesthetica, Kansas City International Film Festival, San Francisco Documentary Festival, and American Documentary and Animation Film Festival. Currently, Desiree is working on a documentary exploring the impact of young motherhood on rural Kansas women.
At the North Shore Senior Center, Desiree has written several articles for their magazine and lifelong learning catalog. Articles in the January-April 2025 issue included “Beating the Winter Blues” and “Music: The Tie That Binds.”
While at K-State, Desiree visited several classes, including my English 455 “Exploring Creativity.” Inspired by Desiree’s talk, four students from signed up for the 48-Hour Film Challenge.
Congratulations, Desiree!
— Deborah Murray, Instructor / Assistant Director, Writing Center
K-State English 