Diego Vargas-Ruiz is graduating with his bachelor's in mechanical engineering this
fall. He took on the challenge of balancing his many responsibilities both in and
out of college and eventually found his rhythm.
For Diego Vargas-Ruiz, college life was trying to find a balance between academe, friends and personal health, but instead of trying to fight it, he took the challenge as an opportunity to optimize his responsibilities until he found his rhythm.
Vargas-Ruiz is one of more than 1,200 students eligible for fall 2024 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
Major
Bachelor of Science of mechanical engineering and a minor in mathematics
Hometown
Wichita
Are you a first-generation student?
Yes, I am a first-generation student, which means I have paved the way for my family and friends to envision a path in higher education.
Why did you choose Wichita State University?
The engineering programs, along with the scholarships I have received that alleviated the financial burden of paying for my education.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was balancing being president of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers: Leading Hispanics of STEM and taking senior level engineering courses. I overcame it by just enjoying the process through trial and error until I was able to find my rhythm/balance in academics, social life and sleep.
What is your favorite on-campus and off-campus spots?
Traveling, horseback riding, snowboarding, skiing, hiking and anything outdoors
If a movie were made about your life, who would you cast to play you? And what genre would best capture your story?
Diego Luna in an adventure movie.
What are your plans after graduation?
To work at Spirit Aerosystems as a stress engineer in propulsion structures; keep traveling the world, country by country, trying new things and doing anything outdoors.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, don’t do it alone.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU 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), Wichita State University 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 Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s 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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