For Kobe Wilkins, Walla Walla University senior health science pre-physician assistant major, WWU has been a launching pad for his future in healthcare and a community that has fostered his personal and professional growth.
Born in Bozeman, Montana, Wilkins grew up hiking, skiing and other outdoor activities. He developed a deep love for the Pacific Northwest and an ambitious sense of adventure. When he was 11 years old, his family moved to Kettering, Ohio. The move was a big life change and cultural shift for Wilkins, as the opportunity to do things he loved became limited. “There was definitely a yearning to get back to the Pacific Northwest,” he said, calling it the driving force that led him to attend WWU.
Like many college students, Wilkins started his journey with uncertainty, initially enrolling as a mechanical engineering major. However, after realizing his passion lay elsewhere, he transitioned to biology and eventually found his calling in the pre-physician assistant track. Through his coursework, Wilkins found several classes particularly valuable in preparing him for his future. He credits WWU’s dedicated faculty, especially professors like Jeremy Wiggins, associate professor of biology, and Trudy Klein, health and physical education instructor, for making his learning experience engaging and applicable.
Wilkins has taken full advantage of the opportunities available to him at WWU, working as an emergency room technician at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla to gain the clinical hours required for PA school. His role has given him firsthand experience in patient care, from performing electrocardiogram tests to preparing for his phlebotomy certification.
“This job has taught me that not every day in healthcare is great, but it’s about learning from each experience and taking the good with the bad,” Wilkins said. He emphasizes how his classes have provided a strong foundation for the work he does in the ER, particularly in understanding medical terminology and disease processes.
Beyond academics, Wilkins has been a key leader in WWU’s student life, serving as intramurals director, a position he stepped into unexpectedly during his sophomore year. Managing campus sports leagues while balancing his studies and ER job was no small feat, but Wilkins took the challenge.
“Intramurals at WWU is one of the most student-led programs out there. It teaches leadership, organization and patience,” said Wilkins. Despite facing funding limitations and scheduling conflicts, he’s proud of the community he helped build through campus sports. His ability to juggle multiple responsibilities is a testament to the environment WWU fosters, where students are empowered to take initiative while receiving strong support from faculty and staff.
Reflecting on his time at WWU, Wilkins emphasizes the sense of belonging the university provides. “WWU does an amazing job of making students feel independent while still being part of a community. It’s not cliquey. People are kind, welcoming and always willing to support each other,” he said.
As he prepares to graduate, Wilkins knows he’ll miss the daily interactions with professors and friends, as well as the close-knit environment WWU has cultivated. However, he leaves with confidence, knowing the experiences and education he’s gained here have prepared him for the next steps in his career.
For prospective students looking for a university that blends academic excellence with leadership opportunities and a strong community, Wilkins has no doubt — WWU is the place to be.
For more information about life at WWU or to visit campus, visit wallawalla.edu/visit.
