Student Stories

Today, WSU Global Campus is recognizing the inspiring stories of first-generation college students on National First-Generation Student Celebration Day. Here are a few of those stories.

Jenny Trujillo, an accounting major at Washington State University’s Global Campus, has two sides to her personality—an ordered, reserved side with a talent for numbers, and an adventurous, creative side with a passion for travel and art. Throughout her life, it seemed like she had to choose one or the other. But the journey that led Trujillo to WSU taught her that she could embrace both sides of herself at once, leading to her paintings being featured in the 2021 issues of WSU’s student-produced art journal LandEscapes.

The flexibility and world-wide reach offered by Washington State University Global Campus has given rise to a unique student community that many may not be aware of—Cougs who are actively serving in the United States military.

With typical strategies like tabling on the mall, visiting classrooms, organizing on-campus forums and debate watch parties sidelined due to the pandemic, student leaders are stepping-up their creativity on social media to engage students in what some are calling the election of a lifetime. Leading the way are student partners in a democratic engagement campaign called Cougs Vote, coordinated by WSU’s Center for Civic Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs.

Nirvana co-founder and Coug Krist Novoselić reminisces on his days as a WSU Global Campus student, studying backstage as he earned his degree entirely online.

Sometimes you need the right degree to achieve your dreams. For Dan Simpson, that degree was the Electrical Power Engineering Professional Science Master’s program at WSU Global Campus.

Andrea Mora-Tice has lived in three countries on two different continents during the past six years, and visited nearly thirty. And, through WSU Global Campus, she’s been able to work toward her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from wherever in the world she happens to be.

When Mike Urban began his bachelor’s degree and then his Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) online with Washington State University Global Campus, he had no idea where his academic journey would take him. Unbeknownst to him, this path would eventually lead to Pullman City Hall in the heart of Cougar country.

Higher education can open doors to a world of exciting opportunities. For Global Campus student Madeleine Crookshank, graduating with her Washington State University degree will be a stepping stone for pursuing her passion: helping children with psychiatric disorders.  While she earns her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology online from WSU Global Campus, Crookshank works as an Admission Service Coordinator in the emergency department at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Washington State University’s Global Campus truly is global. Just ask Madison Genger.
Genger is an assistant teacher in Hamburg, Germany, teaching English to German kindergarteners. While teaching, she is earning her bachelor’s in humanities 100% online through WSU Global Campus.
“The experience overall has been great. Having the opportunity to finish my degree from the states and live abroad is amazing,” Genger said