Shauna Bihlmaier Selected as September Student Worker of the Month

Written by: Caleb Sanderson

Shauna started working as a Microbiology Lab Assistant during the Spring 2023 semester to earn lab experience before entering the Medical Lab Science (MLS) program at Wichita State University. Shauna’s efforts to ensure proper lab preparation not only make her an asset to the biology department, they offer her hands-on exposure to a challenging and competitive field.

“She did the job of 3 lab assistants this summer, quite an amazing job,” Susan Forrest, Biology Lead Instructor said. “She did it without a lot of direction and was able to figure out what needed to be done without being told what to do. An amazing accomplishment for her second semester as a lab assistant. We could not have made it through the summer without Shauna. She represents the best use of our Biology Lab Assistant position.”

Shauna’s college academic journey began when she joined the Army after high school, showcasing a seven-year long dedication to her studies and goals. She believes Butler is a great fit for her and her academic background. “As a student at Butler, it has given me motivation to move forward with my degree and career along with personal accountability to show up and give everything I have to be successful,” Shauna said.

Shauna embraces her role and appreciates the responsibilities her position places on her. “As an employee, Butler has given me a sense of purpose; students and the microbiology professors count on me to prepare media – among other tasks – needed for labs and to stay on schedule.” Shauna believes this on-campus job will prove a useful resource for her academic and career goals, including an advantage over some of her academic peers. “Experience from this position will help me get into the Medical Laboratory Sciences program at Wichita State University,” Shauna said. “It is giving me experience and skills that are required for lab work and other responsibilities that I will have while in the program and possibly in my career after graduation.”

Away from Butler, Shauna works another job and finds time to enjoy hobbies and visit with loved ones. She has a spunky mixed dog, Stella, she brought home with her from her time stationed in Guam, a goofy Great Dane, Koda, and recently purchased a pied ball python named Dood. She loves to travel, including multiple countries with the military and going on semi-frequent cruises with her family.

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