Tell us a little about your background. How did you end up at UNI?
Coming from the smaller town of Forest City, I wanted to spread my wings and explore. Growing up, I was always involved in the community, whether in sports, fine arts, or numerous volunteering experiences. Choosing my area of study in physical education definitely stemmed from those ideas such as serving others and being surrounded by the school atmosphere. I've always heard about UNI from my favorite teachers and decided to take their word for it and visit multiple times before making the right decision.

Why did you choose to pursue this degree at UNI? 
During my college search, I visited plenty of universities with strong education departments, but none compared to UNI's rich community and foundational curriculum. The faculty and staff were unmatched during my visits, and the facilities for my areas of study stood out to me. When I was younger, I had three ideas in mind: Business, military or education - as you can see, visiting UNI helped me make up my mind very quickly.

What’s been your favorite experience at UNI so far?
This question may be the toughest yet, so I definitely can't choose just one! I've had many memorable experiences at UNI, including playing intramural football in the UNI-Dome, winning Intramural softball with my friends, participating in Dance Marathon and mentoring kids in my local area during my Level 2 field experience.

How has UNI helped you achieve your goals?
Several of my goals have always been to earn a degree and explore. UNI is helping me by providing me with the tools I need, from creating resumes to having staff that always lend a helping hand within my coursework. UNI hosts events left and right that allow you to meet people in and outside of your area of study, so get involved within the community and explore what Cedar Falls has to offer. I’ve already built an immense network here, thanks to the tips and tricks of the faculty, and landed several jobs during my time here at UNI (from coaching Cedar Falls freshmen football to working as a facility manager at the Wellness and Recreation Center).

What challenges have you faced as you've worked toward this degree – and how have you overcome them?
The elephant in the room is definitely COVID-19, and I'd say that took a toll on many students, including me. Luckily, the education department had a fair amount of classes in-person (with plenty of precaution), but with the masks and social distancing, getting to know classmates and really practice my craft was difficult at times. However, with the grace of the professors and all of us students in the same boat, we all helped each other succeed, which may have grown us even closer for this coming academic year.

Everyone has an idea of what college will be like — and then you get here. What has surprised you about UNI? About being in college? About yourself?
I feel that some people have this perception that college is a scary place from maybe a fear of not fitting in the right community or much harder coursework. Honestly, this is not the case. UNI has shown me that there are so many different social networks to be a part of, and the professors here really make sure the workload is manageable around our busy schedules. UNI is helping me become a more confident educator and coach, a better friend to others, and helping me explore the many diverse avenues society has to offer.

We often say UNI is ... student focused; a place where professors care--and teach; a place where learning happens in and out of the classroom: and is perfectly sized. How do one or more of these statements ring true for you?
Going into my junior year here at UNI, I can honestly say the professors care about us more than just inside the classroom. They are flexible, understanding and always want to get to know you on a personal level. When these things occur, better learning cultivates. On top of this, the student organizations here are phenomenal. I've found communities that care for each other, from other dancers at Dance Marathon to fellow PE major friends within the club to other like-minded individuals through The Salt Network. Finding a social network in college is key to the best learning possible. Also, the size of everything is picture-perfect. A short walk across campus and family-like class sizes are what you will find here at UNI.

What advice would you give to students considering coming to UNI?
Always have an open mind! There are numerous opportunities to get involved, from student organizations such as Dance Marathon to working on campus to intramural sports. Meet your dorm neighbors, get to know your professors and explore Cedar Falls!

What three adjectives describe yourself?
Determined, passionate and outgoing!

What do you plan to do with your degree? Or, if you are graduating, do you already know next steps/have a position?
I plan to seek a job in the education and/or kinesiology field within a school district in Iowa. My dream would be to teach PE and health and coach youth sports for a few years before getting my master's degree within a similar area of study to become an athletic director.