People of Wright State

Certainty by design

After watching her grandfather struggle with a prosthetic leg, Hana Habib traded a med school plan in Germany for a mission to reengineer her future at Wright State
Hana Habib smiling behind the microscope in the Neuro Engineering, Rehabilitation and Degeneration lab.

From campus involvement to cutting-edge research, Hana Habib is building the skills and experience to one day lead her own lab to inspire the next generation of biomedical engineers. Continue reading

Seeing and believing

Christina Davis knew Wright State was the right choice. Now she’s searching for cancer treatments while finishing her doctorate and preparing for the next big venture.

Now at the No. 1 graduate school in the country for biological sciences, Christina Davis credits her Wright State education for helping lay the foundation for her success. Continue reading

Curating a career

Wright State art major Mikail Berger-Messenger transforms a summer internship into his first public exhibition

Mikail Berger-Messenger, a painting and printmaking major, curated “From Campus to Community,” showcasing the work of college students and recent graduates, as part of his internship with the Dayton Society of Artists. Continue reading

Designing dreams

Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler ’05 reflects on her Wright State education and her flourishing film career
A woman in a cardigan standing in front of an old building with graffiti on some of the walls.

Oscar-winning designer’s journey from Wright State student to Hollywood trailblazer is a story of resilience and reinvention. Continue reading

From a homeless shelter to a healthcare lifeline

At Wright State, Jean de Dieu Mukunzi developed the blueprint for a nonprofit now helping immigrants and refugees access healthcare
Jean de Dieu Mukunzi

Wright State alum Jean de Dieu Mukunzi turned his master’s thesis into a nonprofit now helping thousands of immigrants access healthcare and other critical services. Continue reading

The path to positive change

After careers in editing, restaurant management and the service industry, Audrey Coleman discovered an unexpected talent — and a future in electrical engineering
Audrey Coleman '27 stands in the plaza outside of Russ Engineering Center.

A career change led transfer student Audrey Coleman to Wright State, where she discovered a passion for electrical engineering and found the support to pursue her dream of improving the nation’s power grid. Continue reading

A passion for storytelling

From Wright State to WYSO Public Radio, Will Davis ’10, ’14 teaches people how to share their stories
A man wearing a polo stands in front of a sign that reads "91.3 WYSO" with a lightning bolt.

From helping create the first designated podcasting space on a college campus to a career at WYSO Public Radio, Will Davis ’10, ’14 has always given people opportunities to connect with one another. Continue reading

Words of appreciation

Joe Letterhos ’97 expresses gratitude for his Wright State education

A heartfelt email from alumnus Joe Letterhos ’97 sparked a reflection on how Wright State’s supportive environment helped transform a struggling student into a successful educator and school district leader. Continue reading

Lessons lived, learned and happily shared

Asking questions, working hard and staying open to opportunity helped Anna Lawson graduate from Wright State with a 4.0 GPA, study abroad experience, a marketing internship — and no debt
Anna sits next to the Moat before her last round of final exams. The Moat, outside of Allyn Hall, was refinished and refilled during her final semester.

2026 graduate Anna Lawson earned her marketing degree debt-free, studied abroad in Spain and landed an internship through Career Hub by taking advantage of Wright State’s financial aid, scholarships and career services. Continue reading

Dragging mats and shaping NCAA policy

Jahi McDonald is giving student-athletes a voice in the evolving landscape of NCAA athletics

High jumper and marketing major Jahi McDonald represents Wright State, the Horizon League and Division I student-athletes on the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Continue reading