Why did you choose UNI?

I chose UNI because it was both a good distance away from home, while still being a university that felt personal and had a close knit community!

What is one of your favorite memories of your time at UNI?

One of my favorite memories was having the honor of being the president of the Ultimate Frisbee Club as well as being able to compete against other colleges around the country!

How did you first become interested in your major, and what ultimately led you to pursue it?

I first became interested in my major because of my father who studied political science in college and would always have the morning news on before I went to school everyday. What ultimately led me to pursue a degree in Political Science was my senior year government class in high school. That class led me to want to learn more about American Politics and International Affairs. 

What aspects of your major have you found most engaging or meaningful?

An aspect I found that helped me a lot was how much the professors are willing to help their students understand the curriculum. Their individual ways of teaching their courses helped keep an engaging classroom environment even at the earliest of class times.

In what ways have you been involved outside the classroom?

I have been involved with many different student organizations during my time at UNI. Like previously mentioned, I was involved with the Ultimate Frisbee Club for 4 years and was an executive member for 3 of those years. I was also involved with the Student Government for the past year and a half as a member of the Senate helping and being a representative for students of CSBS. Lastly, I have been a member of the Model United Nations Competition team the past two years being able to compete at conferences in Chicago and St. Louis. I was also involved with an internship as the City Administrative intern here in Cedar Falls which allowed me to realize my future goals!  

Which professors, mentors or advisors were particularly influential during your time at UNI?

Dr. Chris Larimer and Dr. Jayme Renfro allowed me to realize the career path I wanted to pursue within Public Administration. Dr. Evan Renfro allowed me to pursue more knowledge in International Affairs and the many nuances in the field of study. Dr. Ana Kogl created a fantastic learning environment for students like me to understand the course content and have meaningful discussions every day! Dr. Donna Hoffman helped me realize that I can surpass many challenges in and outside of the classroom if I work hard enough. Mike Bobeldyk helped me better understand the processes within the Student Government and how we as an organization can best help the students of this university while also being able to talk about Minnesota professional sports as much as possible!

What do you plan to do with your degree?

I plan on continuing my education to achieve my Masters in Urban and Regional Planning. My next step is to apply for grad schools around the midwest for the upcoming fall semester!

How did UNI, and your major, prepare you for your next steps?

UNI helped me prepare for my next steps by requiring me to do an internship to graduate with a Public Administration degree. Before the internship, I had no idea what I wanted to do other than work within local government. But with the help of my internship, I was able to meet and work with the city planners of Cedar Falls which helped me realize that I wanted to pursue the same career path they took!

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

Becoming a student within the Political Science Department at UNI is the best decision I have ever made. This opportunity has allowed me to meet some of the best professors and mentors I could have asked for who have helped me both understand more of the Political Science field, as well as better understand things about myself and my future career. I also met some of my best friends who I hope to have for the rest of my life!

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience at UNI or within your major?

Getting involved is a massive requirement I think everyone should do at UNI! There are so many great student organizations on campus for everyone to find something to enjoy and if not, the ability to create a student organization is just as accessible! Joining the student organizations that I did helped me grow as a person as well as meet some of my best friends who would later become future roommates for years!