Conversations with the 2026 Alumni Fellows: Here’s our career advice for K-Staters
By Ashley Pauls
K-State Alumni Association
Maybe you're a new K-State grad at the very beginning of your career journey, asking
"Where do you I start?"
Or maybe you've been in the workforce for a while, and you're ready to explore the
questions, "What's next?" or "How do I grow?"
This year’s class of K-State Alumni Fellows are sharing some their best career advice
and words of wisdom they've gathered during their own career journeys. And most importantly,
make sure you never stop learning!
Since 1983, the Alumni Fellows program has brought distinguished alumni back to campus to meet with students and faculty and to share their expertise. The program is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association, the Office of the President and the Deans’ Council. The 2026 Alumni Fellows will be on campus April 22-23.
College of Agriculture Fellow
John F. Stika ’93, ’98
President, Certified Angus Beef®
For young alumni about to start their careers, I would encourage you to remain inquisitive
— ask questions, pay attention and keep learning from your experiences and from the
people around you. Don’t hesitate to say yes to opportunities, especially the ones
that stretch your skills and broaden your perspective. Those moments of challenge
are often where the most meaningful growth occurs. And remember that your ability
to contribute effectively in a team environment will often matter just as much — if
not more — than your technical knowledge. Show up with curiosity, humility and a willingness
to grow. It’s remarkable how quickly that will set you apart.
For those who are in the middle of their careers, my advice is not to allow yourself
to plateau. Continue investing in your own growth by seeking new learning and new
experiences. Stay genuinely open to change and innovation, even when you feel seasoned.
And look for opportunities both to mentor others and to be mentored yourself — growth
happens in both directions.
No matter where you are in your career, the foundation K‑State provides only becomes
more valuable when you pair it with curiosity, connection and a commitment to helping
others succeed.
College of Architecture, Planning and Design Fellow
Traci Ferrell O’Bryan ’86
CEO, Arcturis
For young alumni starting their careers, cherish this moment before you. The achievement
is notable! However in the process of launching, it will also be natural to feel overwhelmed
and disappointed in the first year you enter your career — you have had 4-6 years
of a clear path and goals laid out for you to obtain a milestone goal of a degree.
Do not get discouraged when you don’t land the position you desired immediately or
the offer you felt you deserved — learn everything you can because looking back you
will realize each experience offered you something to build on for the next. Seek
mentorship as you begin your career and throughout, start with K-State alumni.
For the mid-career K-Staters, you understand your career and journey is about “the
people”: the ones you work with, work for and how the service or product you provide
impacts people. Your success is reliant on your ability to connect to those around
you. Be “inquisitive” — invite a coworker or client to lunch, broaden your network
of peers in other fields or communities, reconnect to those who may have been part
of your early journey. Be brave and find a connection to someone you admire and arrange
to have coffee together. These connections will provide support for new endeavors,
educate you in personal challenges, provide leads to your next business deal or position.
Through this journey be yourself but be open to new thinking and approaches.
College of Arts and Sciences Fellow
Summer Lewis ’05
International partnerships and program consultant, True Roots
Advice for young alumni about to start their careers: Focus on building intentional
connections with people you admire and keep an open mind about where your skills can
take you. Don’t just look for a job; look for opportunities to learn from people different
than you. Travel extensively and immerse yourself in unfamiliar cultures — not just
as a visitor, but as a student of the world. Most importantly, find a mentor who challenges
you, and approach that relationship with reciprocity in mind. Be clear about the unique
value and global perspective you offer; even early in your career, professional relationships
should be a two-way street of mutual growth and contribution.
Advice for mid-career K-Staters: Stay curious and continue to seek out diverse perspectives
by traveling and engaging with global communities. At this stage, the most impactful
thing you can do is embrace the power of reciprocity by giving back to your local
community and the K-State family. Look for meaningful ways to share your expertise
and "meet people where they are," whether that is through mentoring younger alumni
or supporting local initiatives that matter to you. By serving others, you aren't
just helping someone else navigate their path; you are engaging in a reciprocal exchange
of ideas that can reinvigorate your own work and purpose. Reflect on what you have
learned from the world and find ways to share that knowledge to strengthen the communities
that have supported you.
College of Arts and Sciences Fellow
Ron Wasserstein ’84, ’87
Executive director, American Statistical Association
The best advice I received when I was a student was to get involved in my professional society.
- No matter what your field, there are groups of people who share your interests. Join them!
- Opportunities to develop networks and friendships in professional societies.
- Also, to the extent possible, stay in touch with your favorite faculty. They will
be a great resource for you, and they will enjoy hearing from you.
Your career path is not linear. A career is a story that you are writing. You don't write alone. Your story is influenced by others. Like a good story, it will have twist and turns, unexpected moments, many joyful, some terrifying. Keep writing!
College of Business Administration Fellow
Duane Webber ’81
Attorney, Baker McKenzie
Foremost, know yourself. If you feel that you don't, continue your experiment beyond
college to find out what you truly enjoy — what gets you out of bed in the morning
with a smile and a thirst for the challenges of the day. Maintain strong friendships
— be sure to give and not just take. Learn stress management techniques that work
for you. Surround yourself with people who have different backgrounds, thoughts and
ideas. They will make you better. Always look around the corner and have a goal or
challenge that you cannot yet attain. Set boundaries — have clarity as to your time
commitment to your profession, and what you wish to reserve for family and personal
time. Volunteer — for everything that might interest you that you can fit within your
personal and professional boundaries, whether or not you think you have the requisite
skills. Be confident — always — but have the courage to consider and take a different
path if you are not enriched.
For mid-career, more of the same but with more emphasis on long-term happiness. If
you are not enjoying life, admit it and seek a different course. Evaluate professional
and career change opportunities based on the relative merits. Loyalty in a profession
is great when it is reciprocal and respected, but mere loyalty can cost you years
of frustration without satisfaction. If you feel like you are chasing an illusory
objective, you probably are. Finally, lead well, follow better, and share fortunes
of success with colleagues.
College of Education Fellow
Stephanie Bannister ’09
President, FirstGen Forward
For young alumni beginning their careers: Start by grounding your work in service
and purpose. Be curious, listen deeply, and seek to understand the people and communities
you serve before trying to lead change. Your early years are a time to build relationships,
learn how organizations work, and develop a strong understanding of your skills and
the value you bring. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you, find mentors who challenge
and support you, and remember that impact is created through collaboration.
For mid-career K-Staters: This stage of your career is an opportunity to shift from
doing to developing a community of action. Invest in developing others, build coalitions
across silos, and use your influence to remove barriers for those who come after you.
Stay connected to the mission, continue learning, and be willing to adapt as the world
around us evolves. The most enduring leadership is rooted in humility, shared responsibility,
and a commitment to collective impact.
Carl R. Ice College of Engineering Fellow
Gabriel Hernandez ’95
Vice president, transmission and distribution division, Burns & McDonnell
For both new and experienced K-State alumni, my advice for continued professional development is the same. Never stop learning, take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves and build/maintain relationships! They all matter and following these three tips has served me well along my career journey: from the very start through today!
Graduate School Fellow
Mona Choi Dexter ’08
Vice president, military and veteran affairs, Comcast NBCUniversal
Advice for young alumni starting their careers: As you begin your professional journey,
focus on intentional networking. Prioritize building meaningful relationships over
simply expanding your contact list — quality always outweighs quantity. Remember,
your first job is just the beginning, not your final destination. Stay open to new
opportunities, as they often arise when you least expect them. Embrace change and
be willing to pivot as your interests and the world evolve. Importantly, integrate
AI and emerging technologies into your daily work. Developing digital fluency early
will set you apart and help you adapt to the rapidly changing workplace.
Advice for mid-career K-Staters: Career growth isn’t always a straight, upward path.
Sometimes, the most rewarding progress comes from lateral moves or deepening your
expertise in a particular area. Strive to become an expert at something — specialization
can be a powerful differentiator. Commit to lifelong learning; continuously seek out
new knowledge and skills to remain relevant and energized in your field. Finally,
stay current with technology. The pace of change is accelerating, and those who keep
up will be best positioned to lead and innovate.
College of Health and Human Sciences Fellow
Dené Mosier ’97, ’14
President/CEO, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
Over time, I’ve learned that careers rarely follow a straight line, but they are strongest
when they are guided by a clear sense of purpose. For young alumni, that often means
staying curious, saying yes to opportunities that stretch you, and remembering that
your first job does not define your entire career. It simply begins to teach you how
to learn, adapt and contribute, skills that matter far more over time than any single
title or path.
For mid-career professionals, purpose often means pausing to reconnect with your “why,”
investing deeply in relationships, and having the courage to lead with both confidence
and compassion. At this stage, growth comes from mentoring others as much as from
advancing your career, from embracing change as much as mastering expertise. The most
meaningful leadership I have witnessed comes from trusting the skills you have built
while remaining open to new ways of thinking. At every stage, careers are shaped less
by perfect plans than by curiosity, integrity and a willingness to keep learning.
Those qualities, more than any milestone, create work that is both successful and
deeply fulfilling.
College of Technology and Aviation Fellow
Lt. Col. Matthew A. Shelly ’05
Strategic war planner and A-10C pilot, United States Air Force
Embrace hard things early and seek out mentors who will challenge you, not just encourage
you. The habits you build at the start of your career will define your trajectory
more than any single achievement. Take ownership of your mistakes, learn from them
quickly. Finally, do your job and deliver a quality product and you will be rewarded.
At mid-career, it’s important to step back and be intentional about where you’re headed,
not just how busy you are and knocking out tasks to get to the next job or promotion.
Continue to refine your technical expertise, but place equal emphasis on broadening
your perspective beyond your immediate role. Seek out assignments and experiences
that challenge you, even if they carry risk. Lastly, it's time to invest in others.
Your influence at this stage can shape organizations and people in lasting ways.
College of Veterinary Medicine Fellow
Dr. Ralph Richardson ’69, ’70
Dean emeritus, K-State College of Veterinary Medicine
Dean/CEO emeritus, K-State Olathe
I believe new graduates from the College of Veterinary Medicine should seek a position
where they will have mentors who will challenge them to build on the knowledge and
skills that they learned in school. I would remind them that their clinical education
has prepared them to be able to diagnose problems, develop treatment strategies, provide
excellent patient care, and work with animal owners in a financially responsible manner.
These "clinical skills" will serve them well in any career they pursue.
I think that mid-career veterinary college alumni should not be afraid to make changes
in their career pathways. Change may be challenging, even frightening at times, but
it's also amazingly energizing and the results can be deeply satisfying.