Why did you choose this degree -- and to pursue this degree at UNI?
Both my parents are teachers and, growing up, I always loved school and looked up to most of my elementary teachers. So when I got to college I knew that was something I was going to want to do!

What kind of path did you take to achieve your degree?
I started off thinking I would want to be a school counselor, so I tried psychology out for a bit, but then I realized I wanted to be in the classroom teaching! 

What does completing your degree mean to you?
It represents everything that I accomplished at UNI and is a reminder of what this college brought me which was lifelong friends and experiences that I will remember forever.

What challenges did you face as you worked toward this degree – and how did you overcome them?
It’s challenging to adapt to college in general, but, if you put yourself out there, you’ll meet new people who will become your best friends.

How did UNI help you achieve your goals?
It helped me grow into the person I am today and challenged me to be a better version of myself each day.

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 perfectly sized. Do any of these statements ring true for you?
I’ve experienced this a lot at UNI, specifically the last semester when I did my PDS (professional development school) block for my teaching major. It showed me a group of peers who became close friends and the professors that were involved with that block were mentors to me and really made it evident that they wanted me to succeed and wanted to help me achieve all my goals.

What’s your best memory of your time at UNI?
Definitely my last semester here when I grew incredibly close with some of my peers and realized UNI brought me so much joy that I never want it to end.

What advice would you give to students considering UNI?
Try new things. Challenge yourself. Never settle for things that make you feel unworthy. 

What do you plan to do with your degree? Do you already know next steps/have a position?
I plan to student teach in the fall of 2025 and then hope to get a job in an elementary school soon after I complete that!