Conversations with the 2026 Alumni Fellows: How K-State prepared me for my career
By Ashley Pauls
K-State Alumni Association
Earning a degree from K-State is just the beginning of a student’s career journey
— and every student takes their own unique path to success.
We asked this year’s class of K-State Alumni Fellows to reflect back on how their
degree from K-State shaped them and led to where they are now — whether that’s leading
a children’s museum, serving as an Air Force pilot, or working for a national media
company.
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®
Kansas State University not only provided me with a rigorous academic foundation in animal science — it also immersed me in extensive hands‑on experiences through judging and competition teams, internships and research programs. Every day, I continue to benefit from the direct faculty mentorship I received and the student leadership opportunities that shaped my perspective. Just as important were the strong industry connections that helped me understand the full beef community from pasture to plate. Without question, K‑State equipped me with both the technical skills and the professional perspective to contribute meaningfully to the beef industry and to the development of others along the way.
College of Architecture, Planning and Design Fellow
Traci Ferrell O’Bryan ’86
CEO, Arcturis
The K-State architectural program is known for turning out graduates who are well prepared to enter the workforce and immediately be a contributing team member — this is true today just as it was when I graduated in 1986 and is significant in a professional services industry where your time is accounted for and billed by the half hour. K-State is also one of a small percentage of universities which offers multiple architectural programs in one college: architecture, interior architecture, and landscape architecture/regional and community planning. As an interior architecture student, the continuous exposure to my classmates’ work, opportunities to work on multidisciplined team projects, and working collectively on The Oz Journal provided a glimpse into the profession’s real world. I found as a K-Stater, my perspective on the value of collaboration tended to be much broader than many of my peers who graduated from traditional architectural/design programs. Finally, aside from foundational design principles, systems, detailing for constructability and working towards our degrees, K-State fostered an environment that built my first network of professional peers (and lifetime friendships) whom I and my classmates rely on and leverage still today.
College of Arts and Sciences Fellow
Summer Lewis ’05
International partnerships and program consultant, True Roots
My undergraduate education at Kansas State University provided the essential foundation
for my international career and global perspective. Choosing to triple major in modern
languages (Spanish), sociology and women's studies taught me to think critically across
disciplines and fostered a deep curiosity about diverse social structures. During
my time at K-State, I worked as a student employee in the women’s studies office,
participated in the Office of International Programs' study abroad program to Ronda,
Spain, and led a community service program international service team to Guatemala.
These were life-changing experiences that shifted my professional trajectory toward
global service.
The unique quality of individual mentoring I received at K-State from professors across
my three majors allowed me to conduct high-level research and gain the confidence
needed to lead complex, multi-national partnerships. This academic and personal growth
was instrumental in my successful application for the Rotary Peace Fellowship, which
served as a bridge to my work managing a global strategic alliance reaching 1.4 million
Rotary members worldwide.
My relationship with K-State came full circle years later when I was honored to return
as associate graduate faculty. Between 2016 and 2021, I had the privilege of teaching
online courses in international development and women and globalization, allowing
me to mentor a new generation of students in the same fields that first inspired me.
I remain deeply grateful for the practical, down-to-earth ethos K-State instilled
in me, which has guided my travel and work across 40+ countries.
College of Arts and Sciences Fellow
Ron Wasserstein ’84, ’87
Executive director, American Statistical Association
Certainly, the remarkable education I received at K-State prepared me to work in my field. Further, the passion of the faculty for their work inspired passion in me. The camaraderie with fellow grad students shaped me as well. But it was the mentorship and leadership by example of the faculty that propelled me into a career in statistics. The faculty supported me as a student and continued to support and encourage me as I moved through my career journey. I am deeply grateful.
College of Business Administration Fellow
Duane Webber ’81
Attorney, Baker McKenzie
For me, K-State was magical — it provided a rich range of opportunities, challenges
and experiences. While I knew that I would follow my grandfather and father at K-State,
I never could have imagined the environment that awaited. K-State offered a diverse
academic menu ranging from accounting and other business courses to economics, philosophy,
political science and foreign languages.
There were opportunities to play and travel with the marching band and basketball
band and to otherwise dabble in the arts. There were numerous leadership positions
at the university, the College of Business, residence organizations, charitable initiatives,
music programs and many other campus organizations. Entrepreneurial skills could be
honed by owning and managing campus and community businesses and managing finances
for campus-related organizations. I was privileged to pursue all of these challenges
at K-State.
More than anything though, the people, including administrators, counselors, professors
and students with whom I worked and played, enriched my life and identity beyond measure.
I learned, sometimes the hard way, that surrounding myself with others who brought
different perspectives yielded superior outcomes. I also found it just as satisfying
— sometimes more — to help others achieve success.
The K-State environment provided a safe place to get to know myself, to constantly
seek new challenges, and to learn stress management. When I reached law school (Georgetown),
I felt confident in my ability to excel. In my professional career I frequently have
put into practice principles and philosophies borne to me through my rich experiences
at K-State.
College of Education Fellow
Stephanie Bannister ’09
President, FirstGen Forward
K-Stated shaped my leadership around service to students. Working and learning within
a large public university reinforced the responsibility to center student needs while
advancing access, belonging and success at scale.
My experience at K-State strengthened my commitment to servant leadership and collective
impact. I learned that meaningful student success work requires collaboration across
academic affairs, student life and campus partners, with shared goals and accountability.
Most importantly, K-State instilled a deep understanding that student success is a
shared responsibility. That foundation prepared me to lead with purpose, humility
and a sustained focus on advancing student-centered change.
Carl R. Ice College of Engineering Fellow
Gabriel Hernandez ’95
Vice president, transmission and distribution division, Burns & McDonnell
Kansas State University didn't just prepare me for an amazing career at Burns & McDonnell — it shaped me for who I am as a professional, tackling some of the most game-changing projects globally! The challenges I faced, the mentors who guided me along my journey on campus, and the opportunities to learn beyond the classroom gave me confidence and vision to pursue each career endeavor. I left campus not only with the technical knowledge to compete with the best of the best, but also with a sense of purpose for making a difference.
Graduate School Fellow
Mona Choi Dexter ’08
Vice president, military and veteran affairs, Comcast NBCUniversal
K-State has been instrumental in shaping my career, providing a foundation built on
high-touch learning and models of compassionate leadership. The university’s emphasis
on personal engagement and mentorship allowed me to develop both professionally and
personally. I was fortunate to learn from outstanding educators like Dr. Ken Hughey
and Dr. Christy Craft, whose academic excellence and empathetic leadership set powerful
examples. Their guidance taught me that true leadership is rooted in compassion, integrity
and a genuine commitment to others.
K-State’s strong sense of community also played a pivotal role in my development.
The collaborative environment encouraged me to value diverse perspectives and foster
meaningful connections — skills that have been essential throughout my career. The
importance of community continues to influence how I approach team building, stakeholder
engagement and service to others.
Ultimately, K-State prepared me to lead with empathy, prioritize lifelong learning
and recognize the transformative power of community. These lessons have guided my
work in the higher education, federal, nonprofit and private sectors, driving initiatives
that promote opportunity and inclusion. I am grateful for the university’s lasting
impact on my leadership journey and my commitment to empowering others.
College of Health and Human Sciences Fellow
Dené Mosier ’97, ’14
President/CEO, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
My degrees gave me a deep understanding of how people learn, grow and adapt across
the lifespan, from early childhood through adulthood. At Kansas State University,
I was trained to view development not in isolation, but within the family, community
and institutional systems that shape opportunity and well being. That perspective
has guided each stage of my career.
K-State prepared me not for a single profession, but for a way of thinking about people,
systems and leadership. My academic training grounded me in science while emphasizing
applied practice, interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based decision making.
Those skills shaped how I approached teaching, school leadership and ultimately nonprofit
and museum leadership, informing how I design environments and programs that respond
thoughtfully to children, families and communities.
Perhaps most importantly, K-State instilled in me a values-driven commitment to leadership.
It is that combination of science and public purpose that continues to define my career
and my belief that every child deserves experiences that nurture curiosity, resilience
and joy.
College of Technology and Aviation Fellow
Lt. Col. Matthew A. Shelly ’05
Strategic war planner and A-10C pilot, United States Air Force
Kansas State University’s College of Technology and Aviation laid the foundation for both my career as a military pilot and Air Force officer. The rigorous flight training program at K-State instilled technical excellence, disciplined decision-making and a deep respect for safety and professionalism — skills that remain central to my daily work. Equally important was the leadership development that came through hard challenges. From demanding flight evaluations to balancing academics with flight responsibilities, K-State taught me how to perform under pressure, learn from setbacks and continuously improve. The mentorship I received from my instructors was transformational. They modeled what right looks like — high standards, integrity and a genuine investment in their students’ success. Their guidance shaped not only the person I am now, but also the leader I strive to be. K-State did more than prepare me for a career; it prepared me for a lifetime of service and leadership.
College of Veterinary Medicine Fellow
Dr. Ralph Richardson ’69, ’70
Dean emeritus, K-State College of Veterinary Medicine
Dean/CEO emeritus, K-State Olathe
As I reflect on my experiences at K-State, I appreciate the excellent role modeling that the faculty and staff provided. The caring and work ethic that they brought to the table every day was special. The practical application of knowledge was especially evident in our clinical rotations. Little did I know at that time that I would follow in their footsteps as I made my way through the Army Veterinary Corps, an internship and residency, private practice, and, finally, into an academic career which began with clinical teaching and ended in becoming dean of our College of Veterinary Medicine.