Tell us a little about your background. How did you end up at UNI?
I was late applying for colleges when I was a senior in high school. I was undecided on what institution to attend after graduating, but I knew I wanted to pursue a major in instrumental music education. UNI became of interest after hearing from my high school peers and teachers that UNI had a great music program overall, but I also knew UNI had a strong education program—I thought it would be the best of both worlds being in an institution that values both education and music. I applied to UNI before going on a campus visit, but when I visited for the first time, I met with music faculty and sat in on a class, being able to get a glimpse of the School of Music. Although my plans have changed since starting my first year at UNI, in hindsight, I knew I would enjoy my time being a UNI student after my first visit. The rest is now history, but I appreciated being able to receive support before starting classes that following fall semester.

Why did you choose to pursue this degree at UNI?
My undergraduate involvement sparked my interest in student affairs. I fulfilled various peer leadership roles that allowed me to serve as a resource for students, and I always enjoyed being able to support students and serving as a mentor in some capacity. My summer internships in Human Resources further solidified my interest in this program because I oversaw interns in my roles, allowing me to gain experience in supporting college students in a corporate setting. I realized that I enjoy helping students. Especially in a leadership role, I have always found it fulfilling working alongside students and seeing them grow and succeed during their higher education journey. I knew this degree would allow me to continue supporting and working with students but also expose me to hands-on opportunities in student affairs, challenge my thinking in an ever-changing higher education landscape, and reflect on my growth as an individual and future student affairs professional.

Describe your graduate assistantship position and what you've gained from that experience.
I was a graduate assistant (GA) for Undergraduate Studies during my program and primarily worked with The Learning Center, UNI’s centralized tutoring service. Undergraduate Studies encompasses several offices, but my focus was on supporting student success through academic services. Most of my work involved co-instructing peer leadership courses for new and returning peer educators at UNI (e.g., Orientation Leaders, Success Coaches, and Peer Mentors). I had opportunities to engage with students from diverse backgrounds, which helped me better understand inclusive practices and teaching/learning styles. My role was flexible because I also worked on projects to build my skills in technology, marketing and student development. Overall, being a GA for Undergraduate Studies allowed me to deepen my understanding of student support services in higher education and strengthen my leadership skills. The combination of teaching, projects and office collaboration gave me a well-rounded foundation that I will continue to draw from as I progress in my professional journey.

What three adjectives describe yourself? 
Personable, adaptable, persistent

What does completing your degree mean to you?
It means more than earning a credential. To me, completing my degree means being committed to fostering student growth and building inclusive campus communities in my future work. My graduate journey has challenged me to reflect on my values, strengthen my leadership and embrace equitable practices in higher education. Overcoming personal and academic challenges along the way has also shown me resilience and passion I bring to this field. Earning this degree is significant, but it is a promise to keep learning, growing and making a meaningful impact in students' lives.

What challenges did you face as you worked toward this degree – and how did you overcome them?
Truly, the biggest challenge was adapting to graduate life. A lot of my peers started their full-time work after graduating with a bachelor's degree together, so I had difficulty adjusting socially when I entered my program. Most of my first semester consisted of isolating myself and not attending any campus events in fear that I was going to stick out like a sore thumb. It was aggravating, but I knew I needed to build my community to help me be successful. To overcome this, I started building connections with my assistantship colleagues and my cohort. I knew I would be seeing the same individuals every day at work and in classes, so I determined it would be best to start building those relationships. It was a gradual process, but establishing relationships with my peers ultimately helped me feel more grounded and confident in a new academic environment. By the end of the first year, I had found a sense of community that made graduate school manageable and rewarding.

How did UNI help you achieve your goals?
As an undergraduate student, I did not have clearly defined goals beyond wanting to graduate, but it was during my time as a graduate student that I truly began focusing on my personal and professional growth. UNI helped me to achieve my goals by surrounding me with supportive colleagues, professors and peers who encouraged me and opened doors to new opportunities. I wanted to gain experience in student affairs and grow as a person, and I was able to accomplish both through hands-on projects, attending conferences and applying my experiences in and out of the classroom. The direct relationships I built and one-off connections that came from events or casual conversations shaped my experience. Because of this, I am leaving UNI feeling more confident, capable, and connected to the work I want to do.

What’s your best memory of your time at UNI?
My best memory would be being a part of UNI's episode on The College Tour. It felt like my big break being on an Amazon Prime streaming series! I loved being able to represent UNI along with nine great students and share our stories with a wider audience, shining a light on the amazing experiences UNI offers. I will always be grateful for that moment and will always look back on it as one of the coolest things I did at UNI!

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?
My overall graduate experience at UNI reflects all of these statements. Being able to connect my assistantship with my coursework helped me to see how theory translates into practice and deepened my understanding of how to support students in meaningful ways. My professors not only cared about how we performed academically, but also cared about who we were becoming as professionals and people. They challenged us to think critically and apply what we learned to our own lives and work. I had the chance to develop new skills and explore new opportunities both in and out of the classroom through my assistantship and other campus experiences. Because UNI is perfectly sized, it was easier to build genuine connections with faculty, staff, and peers—relationships that truly shaped my growth and made my time in the program feel personal and impactful.

What advice would you give to students considering UNI?
If students are considering UNI, I think they should recognize that UNI is a happy medium—it is a small campus with a big university atmosphere. UNI is a growing institution, and there are many opportunities for students to succeed in and out of the classroom. Despite the small campus, we are also being recognized more and more every day, having presence both nationally and internationally. The Panther Community is strong, and it is a place where you can truly find your purpose, grow as a leader and make your mark on the university.

What's next?
I am at Drake University as an admission counselor! Later down the road, though, I hope to continue my education and receive my doctorate. I am not sure what doctoral program to pursue, but I am always looking for opportunities to expand my learning and promote growth in my professional career!