Why did you choose UConn?
I initially chose to attend UConn primarily because of financial reasons! UConn was one of the few schools I did not tour before accepting my offer, but I fell in love with the campus and community when I attended Admitted Students Day.
What’s your major and why did you choose it?
At UConn, I am pursuing a BA in Sociology, a BS in Molecular and Cell Biology, and a BS in Physiology and Neurobiology with a double minor in Chemistry and Bioinformatics. It sounds like a lot but I honestly had the best time taking these classes! I was originally pre-med and took a lot of intro classes in different disciplines, and the subjects I especially loved were the ones that I chose to take more classes in and eventually added as majors/minors.
Who was your favorite professor/class and why?
Professor Lynne Goodstein for Intro to Sociology! Professor Goodstein was such an empathetic, compassionate, humble, intelligent, and positive person who taught us so much about sociology. All the books she had us read in class are books that I still read to this day. One of the books she assigned us to read, “Evicted,” by Matthew Desmond, completely changed my perspective on the importance of social issues such as eviction and housing insecurity, which was a topic I ended up writing about in my graduate school application essay. She also really cared about us and would take time out of her busy schedule to address our questions and insights. She was the first teacher I ever had who really understood the power of silence, and oftentimes would let us guide class discussions in directions we felt most strongly about. She passed away a few months ago, but the impact she left on me and others will last forever. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from and become inspired by her, both academically and personally.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be starting a 2-year MS in Environmental Health Epidemiology at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. Afterwards, I might try to enroll in a master’s program of Public Policy, medical school, or both.
What’s your favorite thing about UConn?
The sense of community! The amazing friends and memories I made on campus have made my time at UConn so special and unforgettable.
What activities were you involved with on campus?
I was involved with many different things on campus! Examples include Leadership Legacy, BOLD, TEDx, PATH, UNA-USA, and other environmental efforts on campus including the President’s Working Group on Sustainability and the Environment.
What’s one thing all UConn students should do during their time at UConn?
Trip to the Dairy Bar and Horsebarn Hill walks!
What were some of the things you had never done before you came to UConn?
I’ve had so many firsts as a student at UConn! For example, I got to go whitewater rafting for the first time with Leadership Legacy, travel to Madrid, Spain as a COP25 Fellow, and attend my first Broadway play during our BOLD Scholar summer retreat!
Any advice for incoming first-year students?
Take opportunities as they come! Even if their relevance to your academic and career goals is not clear at first. If you don’t love what you are studying, change it! Your undergrad years are a time to explore your interests and find what you want to do. Set aside time for yourself! Even if you have a lot of assignments and things to do, take time to do something you enjoy. Think about your academics and well-being from a sustainability standpoint. My last piece of advice: enjoy your time at UConn! It truly does fly by!
