From classroom to career

On average, Kansas State University alumni earn a mean undergraduate salary of $64,384, compared to the statewide mean in Kansas of $50,028. Those outcomes reflect the value of a K-State education — one rooted in personal fulfillment, hands-on learning and preparation for meaningful careers across Kansas and beyond.

For Kimberlee Westcott, that value took shape through exploration, mentorship and practical experience.

When Westcott came to Kansas State University, she found opportunity in every direction.

"I remember when I transferred to K-State and felt like I had every possibility in the world to study anything," Westcott said.

She arrived as a political science and journalism major, unsure where her academic path would ultimately lead. That uncertainty shifted after enrolling in a course focused on the American West. Within the first few weeks, Westcott changed her major to history so she could fully immerse herself in a subject she had loved since childhood.

Less than two years after graduating in May 2022, Westcott is now director of the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute, Kansas. Her path from student to museum leader reflects how academic engagement, mentorship and applied learning at K-State support student persistence and prepare graduates to move directly into the workforce.

When coursework becomes a calling

A defining moment in Westcott's academic journey came when she connected with history professor Bonnie Lynn Sherow, who introduced her to public history and the work of the Chapman Center for Rural Studies. She encouraged Westcott to explore the field beyond the classroom and consider how historical study could be applied to public-facing work.

Westcott soon joined the Chapman Center under the leadership of director Mary Kohn. The experience helped clarify her academic focus and career goals.

"This was really the event that set me on my path into public history," Westcott said. "I fell more in love with the work and my courses each coming year."

At the Chapman Center, Westcott supported public history projects across Kansas, collaborated with community partners and developed her own applied project. The work allowed her to connect theory to practice while exploring nonprofit leadership rooted in preservation, education and community engagement.

"I really owe a lot of my career path to the Chapman Center," she said. "It was an incredible experience to work with Dr. Kohn and support the projects the center was doing."

The role of mentorship in staying the course

According to Kohn, the Chapman Center is intentionally designed to support students academically while preparing them for life after graduation. Students receive one-on-one mentorship, access to dedicated workspaces, and opportunities to participate in research and public-facing projects.

"That structure helps create a safety net," Kohn said. "It supports students as they move through their degrees and helps ensure they graduate prepared for what comes next."

Students work with community partners, learn how to incorporate feedback and present their work to broad audiences. Those experiences deepen engagement and help students clarify career pathways before completing their degrees.

For Westcott, that environment fostered confidence.

"I think a lot of my confidence came from Dr. Kohn believing in me and the work I was doing," she said.

Turning experience into opportunity

Through her work at the Chapman Center, Westcott gained early exposure to museum operations and leadership across Kansas. She attended the Kansas Museums Association Conference, networked with professionals, and learned about a range of museum roles and organizational structures.

Those experiences proved critical when she began applying for positions.

"Working with museums around the state helped me understand how leadership functions," Westcott said. "It made applying for my dream job feel possible."

She credits her undergraduate experience with developing skills she now relies on daily as a museum director.

"Everything really comes down to communication and the ability to think critically and empathetically," Westcott said.

Kohn noted that those competencies are essential across humanities-based careers and help graduates transition efficiently from degree to employment.

"Students leave with a clearer understanding of how their skills apply in professional settings," Kohn said. "That awareness makes a difference."

Carrying that preparation into rural Kansas

Westcott said her transition from K-State to Chanute felt natural. The sense of community she experienced on campus mirrored what she found in southeast Kansas.

"The university itself felt like a tight-knit community, so this was an easy transition," she said.

During her interview process, museum board members were particularly interested in her applied experience and her connection to K-State and the Chapman Center.

"They were excited about a fresh perspective and about having someone with strong ties to K-State," Westcott said.

Now in her first year as director, Westcott sees how cultural institutions contribute to rural vitality by supporting tourism, education and local identity.

"My education and experience at K-State prepared me to be an active part of the community," she said. "It showed me how important it is to give back wherever you are."