Fort Hays State University senior Itzel Moya, a social work major from Dodge City, appreciates that the college is taking measures against the potential spread of the coronavirus, but Moya is worried she may not be able to graduate in May.
"I read the email that was sent and know that Fort Hays State is taking every measure possible to make sure students, faculty and everyone in Hays is safe," Moya said late Thursday afternoon.
Moya is currently doing a practicum with The Center for Life Experience in Hays and wonders what will happen for students like her who are doing practicums or internships outside the university.
"Our professors will have to take different measures to accommodate us," Moya pointed out.
"I think a lot of us seniors who will graduate in May are concerned if we'll be able to meet the requirements needed to finish our degrees."
With approximately two months left until graduation, Moya says about herself and others "our main panic is are these four years we just struggled through going to go to waste?"
Moya is a first-generation college student in her family, and up until she started her CFLE practicum, worked 40 hours a week to pay her bills.
Moya works with several grief support groups at CFLE.
Her practicum supervisor, Ann Leiker, says so far no changes have been made to the groups' meeting schedules because of coronavirus concerns.
"We're not going to cancel them for now," Leiker said. "We're asking people to use their best judgment on whether to attend."
"If the participation numbers do dwindle, that may affect what I'm doing for my practicum," Mayo noted. "That's the main thing I'm currently doing, the support groups."
Moya has been accepted into the FHSU social work master's program which starts in June, just two weeks after she graduates with her bachelor's degree.
She wonders if graduation is delayed in any way whether that will affect her entrance into the master's program.
"It's a lot of unknowns right now. Completely. I'm kind of glad I haven't bought any graduation announcements yet," she said with a wry smile.
Moya plans to eventually move back to Dodge City and work with grief support groups there.