Why did you choose UNI? 

UNI felt like home the instant that I stepped onto campus as a high school student. I knew that this was a place that would foster my growth not only academically, but also personally as I spent 4 years here. I knew that I would be surrounded by people that genuinely cared for me and I would make lifelong connections, which is definitely true!

What have you enjoyed the most about attending UNI?

I have enjoyed the ability to be a part of so many different things throughout my time here on campus and making so many connections. I can leave UNI knowing that I was given the opportunity to do everything and everything, plus more! I have also loved the people that I have met throughout my time and the connections that I will have even after leaving UNI. 

How did you become interested in your major at UNI? 

From a young age I knew that I wanted to help people and Psychology gave me the opportunity to do just that - no matter what avenue I took in the field. I also knew that I had a love for language and chose to stick with my ability to speak Spanish and double major during my time here. Knowing that class sizes were smaller and the faculty teaching them were/are professionals in their field was one of the biggest draws academically for choosing my programs. 

How have you been involved outside of the classroom?

• Study abroad: I was able to spend an entire semester in Costa Rica, studying the Spanish language while also finishing up my last UNIFI course in biology. My class sizes were anywhere from 3-10 students which allowed for a lot of learning from my professors. I even spent a weekend in the rainforest learning in the field about the frogs and snakes and bugs we had been learning about in my biology course! 
• Research: I have spent roughly the last 3 years doing research with Gary Gute out of the UNIFlow Lab which I have loved. Our research project was entitled “Flow as a Positive Self-Intervention for Combat Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” that we presented at the Inspire Conference and also was accepted into the European Conference on Positive Psychology last summer which was held in Innsbruck, Austria. 
• Internships: I was given the opportunity last summer to work as the summer intern for Love INC, a local non-profit organization in Cedar Falls. I was able to learn how a non-profit runs, sit in on budget meetings, help write grants, coordinate events, and all the little things in between that come with being an intern. 
• Student organizations: I have been involved in many things during my time including Psychology club, Panther Ambassadors, CAT Crew,  BASIC, Orchestra, etc. I have spent the majority of my time with Panther Ambassadors as I have served as their Director of Public Relations for the past year. 
• Working on campus: I have been fortunate enough to hold different positions on campus throughout my time here at UNI. I spent a year working at the UNI Ticket office which I enjoyed a lot. I then moved into more of the peer educator roles and that is where I have been for the rest of my time here at UNI. I worked as a tutor in the Learning Center (writing coach and academic success coach) and from there stepped into a role as a Peer Mentor for first year students. Within this, I was also a tutor for the TRIO program and spent time in the Waterloo school district tutoring high school students. I have also spent the past year working in the Office of Academic Advising. I have also been fortunate enough to work Orientation staff two years ago which sparked my love for incoming students into higher education. 
• Teachers Assistant: I was able to be a TA 3 times for different classes, twice with Gary Gute and then once with Professor Arsiwalla in the Psychology department. I was able to gain a lot of experience behind the scenes in the growth of students while also leading things like small group discussions to ensure the learning of the students. 

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

• Professor Gute opened the door for research in my education and gave me opportunities well past what I ever thought was possible for me. 
• Professor Arsiwalla gave me the opportunity to TA for her and obtain a deeper understanding of what it takes for student success in higher education 

What are your post-graduation plans? 

After graduation, I am moving to Colorado Springs, CO to attend the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs for their Leadership: Student Affairs in Higher Education program. I will be a graduate assistant in the College of Education as their Admissions and Recruitment Specialist while I am obtaining my masters degree. 

How has UNI/your major helped prepare you for these plans? 

Without UNI I wouldn’t be where I am today. This university has given me so many opportunities to grow and I will leave as a completely different person than when I walked onto campus four years ago (in the best way possible). I have discovered what my passion is throughout my time and will continue on to get my masters in a field that I didn’t even know existed 3 years ago. I have been supported by not only professors but faculty and staff as I have learned and grown into what I know that I am meant to do. UNI is so much more than a university where you go to get an education, it is a deeply rooted support system and will help you chase any dream you can think of. 

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

I would tell them that it is the best major ever (but I guess I am a little biased!). I would tell them that the Psychology major is one that is so compatible with other majors and is very easy to stack and play around with to build the degree and education that you truly want. When you put it into the bigger picture, Psychology is a field that is great with whatever career you choose, as learning more about how humans behave and what makes them act certain ways will help strengthen their understanding of humans.