The Washburn Transformational Experience is a program unique to Washburn University. It gives students the opportunity to participate in and receive transcript recognition for four areas: International Education, Community Service, Leadership and Scholarly or Creative works. For the past 11years, students have had the opportunity to showcase their WTE accomplishments through presentations at the Day of Transformation.

“When students come back from studying in another country or completing a project they’ve been working on, they are overwhelmed by everything they’ve experienced,” said Tina Williams, study abroad program coordinator. “After taking time to process everything, the Day of Transformation is an outlet for them to tell everyone about it.”

Students who complete a WTE project can choose from different presentation methods, one of which is to print posters through UMAPS, where they can apply for a grant to cover the cost of printing.

“We chose to do a poster and present at the Day of Transformation because we felt like it would be the best way to showcase everything we’ve done this past year,” said sophomore marketing and finance major Kendall Beemer. “I’m looking forward to hearing feedback and answering any questions that people have.”

Beemer partnered with sophomore Becca Nyman for a Leadership WTE. Over the summer, the pair were peer mentors for the second year of the High School Leadership Academy with the Washburn Leadership Institute. The program aims to help Shawnee County high school students learn more about leadership and how they can impact their communities.

“Through this project, I learned that I’m passionate about seeing high schoolers grow as they discover their leadership potential,” Beemer said. “I also made some of the best friends on the entire planet. The experience really bonded us together through the challenges we faced and the things we accomplished.”

Participating in a WTE allows students to take learning from the classroom to the real world as they gain valuable firsthand experiences doing what they’re passionate about.

“Every student should consider doing a WTE,” Beemer said. “It gives you the opportunity to do something that you would have never thought you were capable of doing. It’s really awesome when college students pursue what they’re passionate about, and WTE provides the resources to do that.”

“I’m always impressed by how adventurous and curious these students are,” Williams said. “Students who are interested in a WTE should come to the Day of Transformation to see what all other students have been doing and explore the possibilities for how they can pursue their own ideas.”

This year, the Day of Transformation will be held on Friday, Nov. 16 at Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center from noon to 2 p.m. with presentations beginning at 12:30 p.m. If you have any interest in the WTE program or would like to see what other students have been working on, come listen to a student present on what they’re passionate about.