What made you choose the University of Northern Iowa?

The size of the campus and student population. Cedar Falls seemed like a peaceful, quaint town with great biking trails and public parks. During orientation, I met a graduate assistant for the Outdoor Trips program who introduced me to outdoor recreation and what UNI had to offer. I was hooked instantly.

What have you enjoyed the most about your experience at UNI?

The experiences I’ve been able to have through the abundant resources UNI offers to students who want to be educators. Since my freshman year, I’ve led and facilitated 20+ outdoor trips through the Outdoor Adventures Program, including camping, rock climbing, backpacking, canoeing, rafting, and day hiking. Outdoor education wasn’t my intention coming into college, but now it’s my career path thanks to the opportunities here.

What first sparked your interest in your major?

I’ve always been interested in human behavior and mindset training. Through my five-year practice in meditation and daily reflection, mental health and mindfulness have become a huge part of my life. Studying psychology allows me to connect psychological concepts and theories with lived experiences. It has played a major role in my decision-making and interpersonal skills when working with youth groups in the summer and college students during the school year in outdoor settings.

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

A psychology major offers a blank map for you to draw your own route. For me, that meant combining outdoor recreation with therapeutic practices. Classes like applied psychology, biopsychology, and professionalism in psychology help you see psychological knowledge in almost every facet of life. They provide the foundation you need to build on what you discover in your career.

How have you been involved outside the classroom?

I’ve been heavily involved in student organizations since my first semester. I started going to Climbing Club my first week on campus, and by week three, I was on a trip to Colorado—an experience I’ll never forget. Since then, I’ve joined the exec team, programmed events, built community, and led the same outdoor climbing trips I originally went on as a freshman.

UNI Outdoors and Recreation Services has been a home for the community. Whether through the outdoor equipment rental program or the rock wall, my on-campus job has been one of the highlights of my time here. I’ve worked for Recreation Services under Andy Martin for seven semesters, and I don’t regret a single hour spent contributing to such an important department. This job has given me opportunities to run climbing competitions, instruct belay clinics, and manage hundreds of pieces of outdoor equipment.

The Outdoor Adventures Program under the College of Education has been the number one factor in my success at UNI. It’s incredible what a program like this can do for a student’s leadership, communication skills, and group facilitation. Through this program, I earned my Wilderness First Responder certification with support from dedicated faculty. There’s so much I could say about this program, but to really understand it, you have to go on a trip.

Which professors or mentors have had the biggest impact on your time at UNI, and how?

Working with professors in a research setting has been extremely valuable. With Psychology Professor Gary Gute, I’ve been able to explore the combination of psychology and outdoor education through a research project on flow in climbers. He has also given me opportunities to lecture in his Science and Experience of Human Flourishing course. I took the class in the fall of my sophomore year, became the TA in the spring, and have visited each semester since to share my knowledge on mindfulness and breathwork from a student perspective.

Andy Martin and Kathleen Scholl have also been major mentors, guiding me through the unique career path of outdoor education. What may not seem like a traditional university career field has been the most rewarding and impactful work I’ve done. Without these incredible people, the outdoor community wouldn’t have the same opportunities to turn their passion for nature into meaningful jobs. My seasonal work with youth groups and future opportunities in collegiate recreation wouldn’t have been possible without Andy Martin and Kathy Scholl.

What are your plans after graduation?

Graduate Assistant for the College of Education Outdoor Adventures Program at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Recreation Administration.

In what ways has UNI and your major helped prepare you for your next steps?

As mentioned earlier, the programs, faculty, and hands-on experiences at UNI have shaped my leadership, communication, and facilitation skills—everything I need for my next steps.

What advice would you give to students who are thinking about pursuing this major?

Keep your mind open to all the possibilities UNI has to offer, even if they fall outside your major.