Graduating student trustee reflects on two years of fulfilled curiosity

While the position of Student Trustee may have taken up a lot of their time over the past year, CWU Theatre Studies major Vy Frolov’s time in Ellensburg was shaped by deep involvement across a variety of communities.

“I’m a transfer student, so I’ve only been here a few years, but I wish I did have more time,” they said. “Everything that I’ve had the opportunity to do has been so wonderful, and it has made me really passionate about both my own future, as well as the future of other people going into the field.”

After initially attending Portland Community College as the first step on a path to a career in medicine, Frolov’s journey was diverted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Along the way, they discovered a passion for the behind-the-scenes work that makes theatrical performance come alive. Their peers had an excellent suggestion as to where would be the best place to turn that passion into a profession.

“At PCC, there were a lot of people who had gone to Central for theatre, and they had a lot of good things to say about the experiences and opportunities they had here,” Frolov said. “I had gotten to work in theatre on a smaller scale and really enjoyed it, so the puzzle pieces just kind of fit together and I moved to Ellensburg.”

At CWU, Frolov discovered a Theatre Studies program dedicated to the entirety of the experience, not just what audiences see on stage. They enjoyed the fact that the department has professors dedicated to every theatre discipline, which helps provide students with opportunities to apply the skills they have learned in a practical way.

“A lot of theatre programs just focus on acting, which is of course an important part of it, but the behind-the-scenes work is an entire industry in its own regard, and you’d be surprised at how rare it is to have classes dedicated to that,” Frolov said.

Outside of the program, Frolov found time to get involved with the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as both treasurer and secretary of the organization’s CWU chapter. They also sharpened their skillset at the nationally recognized on-campus radio station, 88.1 The ‘Burg.

“Being able to have my own radio show, and the independence that comes with it, was definitely a highlight,” Frolov said. “It was a huge confidence booster, and it helped with my public speaking in a way that I don’t think anything else ever has.”

In their final year at Central, Frolov’s experience with the Board of Trustees brought them a fresh perspective on higher education as a whole.

“Working with the Board of Trustees has really given me great insight into the inner workings of higher education, as well as how business and education interact,” they said. “It has given me a newfound appreciation for the way networking happens on a larger scale, outside of what we learn in our career and portfolio classes.”

Through it all, Frolov has felt supported and encouraged by the faculty, building positive, lasting relationships with each of their professors, including Department Chair Tina Barrigan.

“Even before I took my portfolio class with her, I felt like we had this standing relationship focused on what I wanted to work towards,” Frolov said.

As the Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, and a new one begins to look forward to the fall, Frolov hopes that incoming students realize the sheer breadth of experiences available to them, both in their major and beyond.

They noted that even if the class doesn’t match your specific area of interest, you can still take different classes and get involved with the community that surrounds those interests.

“Take the opportunity Central gives you to explore things holistically, and let your curiosity be your guide,” Frolov said. “There’s no such thing as a dead-end degree; it all comes down to how you use what you’ve learned.”

As a non-traditional student, Frolov is excited to reach the milestone of walking across the commencement stage on Saturday. They know that if they can do it, so can anyone else who feels the time is right to continue their education.

“People are coming in at all points in their lives, so there really is no one right way of doing college,” Frolov said. “Central is very encouraging of people coming back and finishing their degree, or just getting started on it, even if it takes a little while. As a person who falls outside of what a ‘traditional’ college student might be, that doesn’t mean it’s in any way unachievable.”