Lisa Oldham, a proud two-time Wichita State grad, has dedicated her academic and professional journey to advocating for healing and justice in underserved communities. Fueled by resilience and a deep connection to Indigenous culture, she aims to serve others through work in corrections, mental health and substance use recovery.
Lisa is one of more than 2,100 students eligible for spring 2025 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
What degree will you be earning in May?
What is your hometown?
Central Iowa
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
Dunbar Learning Center in Wichita
Why did you choose ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ?
ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ has been my alma mater since January 2007, when I pursued my undergraduate degree in criminal justice and psychology.
I chose ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ because of the location and ease of access from the city of Wichita, as well as the beauty and culture of the campus. I honestly never really thought I was smart enough to pursue higher education, having been a special education student through school; but I am indeed smart enough and I am proud to have accomplished both of my degrees at ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
Fear of the unknown, struggles with technology (I wish I were techier!). At times, I'm unsure of myself as to a specific career path. But I'm passionate about helping others succeed, heal from traumatic life experiences and turn their lives around. I am an advocate and someone that speaks to culturally diverse groups such as black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), and the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis.
I have had a lot of job experiences throughout my higher education that were not as favorable or did not turn out as I wish they had, and it has caused sadness and discouragement, and I have wondered where it is that I really belong in the workforce. However, I have not given up yet, and do not foresee that happening in the near future. Throughout my life, I have had to be a fighter, and I will continue to do so, even if it means going without for the betterment of others.
Overcoming is a process, and it's something that I must stay accountable for. In the Indigenous culture, we see everyone as a relative, everything in our life is a connection to who we are, and who we want to be.
We are all connected, all related in the web of life. What each person does or does not do sends a ripple affecting all strands of the web. I like to think of myself as a bit of a pro on being an overcomer; though I hold out hope that I will not have to continue to overcome, moreover, be a champion in thriving to the end of being of service to others.
I spent both my undergraduate and graduate studies years working with adolescents and the child welfare system. Though it was highly beneficial to be informed of the trauma patterns that span from the psychosocial stages of early development, I was able to see the correlation and direct relationship as to how early experiences can affect adult years. My passion is to work with men and women in a corrections setting, substance use and mental health setting. I see all of these issues as being extremely intersectional, and it is important to understand the relationship to all the issues to understand how to help individuals heal themselves to become the best version of themselves.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am currently seeking full-time employment. I will be taking my LMSW licensing exam just before commencement.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
The advice I would give to other students: Get connected. Start out with something fun and easy, I started with clay hand-building and photography. I love the arts so that was the beginning of my educational journey. Challenge yourself to reach beyond your own expectations. Have a vision. If you donβt have one, get one, and follow it. Dare to dream!
If you were given the opportunity to do a TED Talk, what would your topic be?
I would probably speak to why BIPOC lives matter. Though we have made small progress, the movement should become more progressive and proactive to engage and foster equality. Even though I look primarily Caucasian, I have mixed ancestry, which I am very proud of. This empowers me to be a part of a beautiful culture that I have a biological and spiritual connection.
In addition to racial diversity, I would address the gender wage gap and controversial conversations such as identity politics, and who is red and who is blue. I believe that it is of utmost importance for the times that we are in to create a sense of unity, belonging and connection. If we appreciated everyone for their own dignity and inherent worth, the world would be a better place.
About ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ
ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ 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), ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ main campus, is one of the nationβs largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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