Why did you choose UNI? 

I chose to come to UNI because I liked the environment and how personal it felt. I thought that the size of the school and campus was a good fit for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here when touring schools. 

What have you enjoyed the most about attending UNI? 

I have most enjoyed the outlet that UNI has given me, especially through my classes, peers, and professors. I loved being able to meaningfully engage with others who shared the same passions as I do and being given the opportunities and space to do so. I am so thankful for the professors that have inspired and encouraged me to deepen my knowledge as they have made my experience here much more impactful. 

How did you become interested in your major at UNI? 

When I took my first Introduction to Sociology course it put a name to the field of work I was most interested in studying and learning about. I was not exactly sure what I wanted to major in coming into college because I am passionate about so many different things. Once I learned about Sociology and what it was, I felt like it was connected to everything I wanted to do, so I signed up for more courses. I quickly realized the importance of Sociology for understanding and navigating my life and the skills that came with studying this. Psychology also quickly influenced my way of thinking so I declared it as my second major. I knew I wanted to take classes in this field before coming to college so I originally planned on getting a minor in Psychology. However, I had taken a lot of classes and really enjoyed them which encouraged me to make it my second major.

How have you been involved outside of the classroom?

Outside of class I have been involved in a few different things but something that I want to share is my field experience and job at the Center for Social Behavioral Research on campus. I was a telephone interviewer/student researcher for a year and I would conduct surveys over the phone about health for the CDC and HHS in order to gather research. We made calls using the random digit dialing method and tried to convince people to take part in the study by using different rebuttals. This strengthened my abilities to quickly problem solve and think off the top of my head, and to do it in a professional and calm manner. It was really cool to play a part in collecting this data that is used by large scale organizations to not only inform the public but also influence decisions about health and health practices. 

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

In my time at UNI professors that have been the most influential for me are two of my Sociology professors, Dr. Kysar-Moon and Dr. Froyum. Dr. Kysar-Moon is an incredible professor who cares deeply about her students, not just their learning but also their overall wellbeing. She has made a tremendous impact on my time here at UNI and I have taken away more than just knowledge from her classes. I have been inspired by her compassion, advocacy, and dedication to educating. Dr. Froyum is another professor who I have taken many classes with and who has inspired me beyond just the classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed taking her classes and I have always felt engaged and encouraged by her to learn and think deeper. Both of them have made a significant impact on my time here as a student but also on me as a person. I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to connect with them and the insights they have provided me with, and I know I will carry that with me for the rest of my life. 

What are your post-graduation plans?

At this time I plan to continue my job search around the Cedar Valley for a career in the Social and Behavioral Sciences as I finish up my last semester of college. 

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

My major in Sociology has prepared me in all aspects of my life by providing me with the tools I need to succeed. I have gained many skills that are essential for navigating the work world while also strengthening my existing skill sets. Sociology has provided me with interpersonal, analytic, communication, research, and leadership skills, as well as critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and many others. 

What advice would you give to students who are considering this major? If I could encourage anyone to go into any field of study it would be Sociology. There are many benefits of this field and it not only sets you up for success by providing you with the skills you need but also enables you to think critically and expand your knowledge.

Anything else you’d like to add? 

I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had to further my knowledge in the social and behavioral sciences. It is crucial that students have not only the right to learn and be educated in the fields they want to study, but that they are also provided with the highest quality of that education.