Why did you choose UNI?

I went on numerous college visits in high school, driving well over 8 hours to test out different universities. But regardless of the variety of size, type of university, and location, University of Northern Iowa campus was the only campus to feel lively, even with the four inches of snow that fell the night before my visit. If current students were willing to stop, talk and even give movie recommendations to a random high schooler on a dreary day, UNI would be bound to be full of amazing people. Combine a perfect atmosphere with financial aid that no other university offered to a first-gen student, and the choice was a no-brainer.

What have you enjoyed the most, thus far, about attending UNI?

The professors and other students. It is obvious that the UNI professors love teaching and are always responsive to the needs of students inside and outside of the classroom. My UNI experience would not be anywhere as perfect as it was within the support and passion that my professors blessed me with. 

How did you become interested in your major? 

Originally, I chose Political Science because I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. I did Mock Trial in high school and always favored my government courses. But by the end of my first semester when I took the International Relations class, I had pivoted into International Politics and found passion in what my future could look like with my new path. My initial choice was a bit of a shot in the dark, but I still ended up with a bullseye.

What have been some of your favorite aspects of the major?

The versatility of the courses. With Political Science sectioned off into five chunks, I could pick and choose between a number of courses each semester and build my resume of coursework to what I wanted to do, not simply do the required courses. On top of my class choice, every professor I took used discussion to turn our textbook definitions into real-life situations that actually impact those around us.

How have you been involved outside of the classroom?

I have been in a couple of things.

Model UN Competition Team - My freshman year I traveled to a panel about nuclear disarmament and ended up going with three Model UN members. I was attending their weekly meetings the next week. I was very active in the Model United Nations Competition team, bringing three awards, two group and one individual, back to UNI. I spent a year as secretary and treasurer, and a year as their president where I was nominated for Outstanding President in a Student Organization. I’ve attended 8 conferences with our team and watched the Model UN team expand past male Political Science majors into a diverse group of students tackling the diverse topics the United Nations actually face.

CSBS SABR - I was a Social and Behavioral Representative for two years. I helped incoming and potential students at visits to understand the majors that the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers from a student perspective. I gave presentations about my time and volunteered whenever extra help was needed for CSBS.

Honors Thesis - I was part of the Honors Program on campus and completed my honors by creating a Political Science research thesis. My thesis advisor, Doctor Evan Renfro, helped my year-long process of drafting a 30-page paper on how extremist groups use the Internet that is currently on the UNI Scholarworks website as one of the 23 Political Science Honors Program Theses. I even presented my thesis at the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society’s Student Research Conference in February of 2023.

Study Abroad - My 2022 fall semester was spent abroad at the Universidad Veritas, in San Jose, Costa Rica. I took a Spanish-intensive course, a Latin American Politics class, a Drawing class, and a Latin American LGBTQ+ Sociology class as the only UNI student to travel to Costa Rica that semester. It was my first time ever leaving the United States, and my first time seeing an ocean (I actually saw both).

On-campus Job - I was a Desk Assistant for the Panther Village apartments for three years for my on-campus job and even won Student Staff Member of the Year for the National Residence Hall Honorary for 2021-2022.

What professors have been most influential through your time here at UNI?

The Renfros. Doctor Jayme Renfro has been my advisor since sophomore year and helped me make sure I was on the right path if I ever had questions. Her husband, Doctor Evan Renfro, was the professor of my first Political Science class here, my honors thesis advisor, and I took almost every class he taught while at UNI. I always knew that Doc was looking out for me and answered my numerous questions about my future and the multiple career paths that I thought about during my four years here.

What are your post graduation plans?

Nothing secured, just a bunch of job applications on USAJobs.gov to hopefully take me to Washington D.C. But the hiring process for the federal government can take four-six months so I’m not surprised.

How has UNI helped prepare you for these plans?

While at UNI and in my major classes, I cultivated my passion for diplomacy and cooperation. Classes like U.S. Foreign Policy gave me history and insight into how the United States works with our foreign partners. My student organization, the Model UN Competition team, developed my ability to work with anyone, complete strangers, to address major global issues. My study abroad experience threw me into living and working abroad while navigating the cultural differences I’ll run into as I enter the career force. UNI helped me recognize where I want my career to go and how exactly I’ll get there.

What advice would you give to students who are considering this major?

Don’t let the stereotype of lawyers and politicians only limit you from Political Science. With the connected majors of Public Administration and Political Communication at UNI, and the five major sections like International Politics and Comparative Politics, there are so many paths that you’d never thought you could take with a Political Science degree. While Politics may be very divisive at the moment, now is when we need young people to be learning how to shape the world when we get our chance at lasting change. 

Anything else you’d like to add?

Go cats! 🐈