Tell us a little about your background. How did you end up at UNI?
I knew it used to be the Iowa State Teachers College and thought it would be the best place to go for teaching. It was the only campus I toured and I fell in love.

Why did you choose to pursue this degree at UNI?
I knew I wanted to be a teacher because of the impact my teachers had on me.

What’s been your favorite experience at UNI so far?
I love how welcoming it is. When it’s warm, everyone is outside smiling. There’s so many activities throughout the year as well. I definitely used my 2 tickets and attended many sporting events.

How has UNI helped you achieve your goals?
With a lot of hard work, I’m participating in commencement a year early!

What challenges have you faced as you've worked toward this degree – and how have you overcome them?
I have a chronic illness (Crohn’s Disease) that was diagnosed my first semester at UNI, so participating was difficult at that time. I still made the dean's list that semester!

Everyone has an idea of what college will be like — and then you get here. What has surprised you? 
I thought that I would struggle making new friends since all of my high school friends went to U of I. I’ve met some really great people at UNI who have the same goals as me. I was surprised at how accessible things are on campus, there’s so many ways to meet new people or get involved. I surprised myself about how much better I am in my college courses than I was in high school.

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. How do those statements ring true for you?
My first semester I took Soundscapes, a music course required for my LAC’s. I had Diane Meyer who loved to teach us. She got us on our feet, moving and singing along to songs when most of us were not musically inclined in the slightest. Most gen ed courses I took were pretty large, about the same size as my high school classes. Once I got into courses required for my major I had less than 20 people per class which surprised me because there are so many college of education students. I took part in the first PDS (professional development school) methods block at Poyner Elementary this year where we got to go into the classrooms two or more times per week. I don’t think I would have that experience anywhere else.

What advice would you give to students considering UNI?
Jump right in! It’s been a great place to become a more independent person. There are so many things to do here that you don’t get at other colleges including a free gym on campus, free tickets to sporting events and the arts, professors who care about their students success, and a close knit campus where you can easily make friends.

What three adjectives describe yourself?
Dedicated, generous, hard working

What do you plan to do with your degree? 
I’m hoping to get a job in an elementary or intermediate school right after student teaching.

Vivian participated in the spring 2022 commencement and is completing her degree with student teaching in fall 2022 at first grade at Westfield Elementary (Linn-Mar Community School District) and fifth grade at West Willow Elementary (Cedar Rapids Community School District).