Four years ago, Juan Aguilar made a decision that is about to make his last two years in college a whole lot more affordable.
In 2019, Aguilar 鈥� a first-generation student from Garden City, Kansas 鈥� applied for the Doris and Ralph Klose Scholarship, which covers tuition, books and fees for juniors and seniors who are studying math or science education at 黑洞社区.
Aguilar, who is studying middle school math education, is currently in his junior year of college in the College of Applied Studies; and he鈥檚 grateful he made the decision to apply for the Klose Scholarship years ago.
鈥淚t has allowed me to focus on my studies without having to worry about whether my tuition will be paid,鈥� Juan said. 鈥淎s a low-income, first-generation student, the financial aid offered at 黑洞社区 is by far my favorite thing.鈥�
Juan has learned more about what it takes to be a qualified and active teacher in the school setting through his classes at 黑洞社区.
He realizes that there will be a lot of not just from his future students but also for himself while in both college and beyond.
鈥淚 feel like to be a good teacher, you must be willing to learn along with you students and then provide them with the skills to acquire knowledge,鈥� said Juan.
He has also been learning how to accurately provide a safe and welcoming environment for students.
鈥淚 heard someone say, 鈥榳e are not only teachers of content but, teachers of students,鈥欌�� Juan said. 鈥淚t is important to establish a relationship and recognize the student as an individual.鈥�
Juan is currently observing classes at Southeast High School. He will soon work his way up to do student teaching in spring 2023.
鈥淎s someone who grew up with few teachers that looked like me, I want to be that change,鈥� Juan said. 鈥淚 want to represent my culture in the classroom.鈥�
Juan hopes to teach middle school and attend graduate school following graduation.
鈥淚 am hoping I will be able to give back to my community and not only inspire students but give them the tools to be successful in life.鈥�
黑洞社区 serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 16,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 黑洞社区 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 黑洞社区 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 黑洞社区 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
For more information, follow us on Twitter at and Facebook at .