Why did you choose this degree -- and UNI?
UNI always seemed like the right fit for me, I loved the campus and the community. It was once I got to UNI that I decided RTNL (recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership) was the the degree I wanted to pursue. I had never heard of recreational therapy and it was something that really piqued my interest. The more I learned about this emphasis and what all this major encompassed, the more sure I became this was the route I wanted to take. 

What kind of path did you take to achieve your degree?
I always knew I wanted to work with people, but I didn't know in what capacity. I have also always loved recreation and sports so, when I heard about therapeutic recreation, it seemed like a no-brainer. 

Describe your internship experience and how it has prepared you for your career.
I am currently on an internship at MercyOne in Waterloo working on the psychiatric unit under a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. This has been such a great experience as I have learned so much about what this career looks like in real practice and gotten so much hands-on experience. I have loved getting to interact with the patients here and have been challenged and grown in ways I was not expecting. 

What does completing your degree mean to you?
Completing a degree is something I am very proud of. It is a privilege and a blessing to have the opportunity to go to college and it is not something I take for granted. I look forward to using the experiences I have had during my time in college as I take next steps after graduation. 

What challenges did you face as you worked toward this degree – and how did you overcome them?
I was a student athlete for all of my years at UNI on the women's volleyball team and this presented a unique set of challenges. Being an athlete while also managing school required me to grow in a lot of areas. Figuring out the balance of school, volleyball and having a social life was really tough freshman year. However, I learned that I was capable of a lot more than I gave myself credit for and I have become a much more confident individual through the experiences and challenges I have faced in college. 

How did UNI help you achieve your goals?
I always knew I wanted to go to college and get a degree. UNI has been the means to achieving this goal and I am so thankful for this university because of it. I have made so many connections and gotten so much valuable experience that I not only learned a ton from, but it will also be beneficial for me in my next steps. 

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 is perfectly sized. Do any of these statements ring true for you?
I truly believe there are so many professors here who genuinely care about the students in and out of the classroom. They have always made themselves accessible to me and have gone above and beyond to support me in every way they could, especially being a student-athlete. I think a big reason they can do this is because of the perfectly-sized campus. UNI is large enough that you get the feeling of a big school, but small enough that students can make genuine connections with the professors and the community. 

What’s your best memory of your time at UNI?
My best memory at UNI has to be my time on the volleyball team. I will be forever grateful for the lessons I learned as a student-athlete, the people I met, and the experiences I have had along the way. Getting to represent this university through the sport of volleyball has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. 

What advice would you give to students considering UNI?
Take the leap of faith in coming here, you will not regret it! Cedar Falls is a great community and not only will you get a great education, but you will find somewhere and something to belong to. 

What's next? 
After my internship is over at Mercy One I will be joining SALT staff which is one of the University's campus ministries. I am really excited to step into this role because SALT is where I found community and grew so much in my faith. I am looking forward to giving back to the ministry that has given so much to me during my college years.