Valeria Solis left Garden City, Kansas, to study journalism and political science at KU. Across the state, she’s building a community, exploring new opportunities, and proving what’s possible for students from every corner of Kansas.

 

Students from all 105 counties in Kansas call KU home, including Valeria Solis from Garden City. When Valeria toured the University of Kansas as a high school sophomore, she didn’t imagine she would one day be one of them, because she thought she'd leave her home state for college. After a second opportunity to learn more about the university through a KU on-the-road experience, the campus, people, and programs convinced her to take the leap.

Now a sophomore double majoring in journalism and political science with a minor in business, Valeria has embraced the opportunities she once thought were out of reach. From studying abroad in Costa Rica to becoming an honors ambassador, she’s making the most of her time at KU and showing other students from the furthest reaches of Kansas how to do the same.

Coming to KU from out of state or from a far corner of Kansas? Read our No Place Like KU series to see how students from all over found their place here.

Q: What year are you at KU and what are you studying?

A: I’m a sophomore double majoring in journalism and political science with a minor in business. Inside the journalism school, I’m focusing on multimedia. I’m potentially considering law school.

Q: How did you decide KU was the right fit for you?

A: I always knew I wanted to get into journalism, but the programs closer to me just didn’t click. I first toured KU as a sophomore in high school and loved the campus, but I wasn’t ready to commit. 

My junior year I went to the Rock Chalk Road Show {Editor's note: now we host Rock Chalk Receptions. See KU Special Visit Events}, talked with the honors rep and the journalism school rep, and realized KU had everything I was looking for. Getting into the Honors Program sealed the deal. Ultimately, it was the opportunities and the people that made me choose KU.

Q: You’re from Garden City. How far is that from Lawrence and did distance affect your decision?

A: It’s about five and a half to six hours with stops. Being the first person in my family to go straight to a four-year university, I knew that if I was going to make the leap it had to be somewhere I loved. Six hours is daunting. I rarely see my family — maybe once every few months — but I was willing to do that for a good school.

Q: Was KU an affordable option for you, compared to other schools you considered?

A: I knew KU might be slightly more expensive than other options closer to home, but the merit award and scholarships I received made it surprisingly affordable. It’s just about finding the opportunities to make it less stressful financially.

Q: Was there a moment on your campus visit when you knew KU was for you?

A: Yes! I was walking out of the Union in the spring. There were tulips and butterflies, and I saw students going by and thought, “That’s going to be me next year.” I felt it.

Q: What do you like most about living in Lawrence?

A: There’s always something to do. Mass Street is unlike anywhere else, and the people here are amazing. I came to KU alone, but you find your people here. When you do, campus starts to feel like home, and that’s what it is for me now.

Q: Where are your favorite places to study or hang out on campus?

A: For studying, definitely the Honors Lounge in Watson Library {now called The Kettle} because I can focus and get things done. I also like sitting outside to people-watch, and of course I spend a lot of time in the J-School.

Q: Have you had any unexpected opportunities at KU?

A: Studying abroad! It’s been on my bucket list since fifth grade. I worked with an amazing professor who helped me apply to a travel writing program in Costa Rica over winter break of my freshman year. 

I went on scholarship, which was amazing. It was one of the most transformative experiences of my life, especially as a Spanish speaker able to connect with locals. It solidified my goal to amplify underrepresented voices through my writing.

Q: Any standout academic experiences?

A: The travel writing class connected to Costa Rica gave me so much creative freedom. A lot of KU classes let you grow into yourself like that.

Q: When did you first feel like a Jayhawk?

A: Allen Fieldhouse during the North Carolina game. There was this amazing dunk, everyone went absolutely insane, and I realized I had real school spirit for the first time. Everyone needs to go to a game. The student section is electric and it’s truly one of a kind.

Q: Favorite spots in Lawrence or on campus?

A: Mass Street in general, and especially Sylas and Maddy’s for ice cream. On campus, the Journalism School and Marvin Grove behind the Union are favorites. I love Clinton Lake, too.

Q: How did you get involved on campus?

A: KU is what you make of it. I went to Kansas Union Fest, talked to everyone, and narrowed down the organizations that fit me. Now I’m on the executive board of three committees and an honors ambassador. The Latin Student Union has been especially meaningful, because it showed me I’m not alone as a first-generation student.

Get out of your comfort zone in that first month or even first year. You won’t meet anyone sitting in your dorm. Go to events, join clubs, talk to people.

Q: What did you like about living on campus as a freshman?

A: Being in the same building with others who are going through the same things gives you comfort. You can pop next door to talk with friends or meet people in class who live right across the hall.

Q: What’s your biggest piece of advice for students from the farther reaches of Kansas that might be considering KU?

A: Don’t shut out the possibility of a farther away school just because you don’t know anyone that has done it. KU will give you a great future if you let it. There are so many opportunities here. In rural Kansas, we don’t always have that. You can start at a smaller college if that’s right for you, but you can also take a different path from everyone else.

I’m a different person now — culturally, academically, professionally — because of the experiences here. The people here want you to succeed! Coming from western Kansas, I was so worried about not finding my place. At KU, I found my people, my passion, and what I want to do in life.