As of right now, I am getting ready to enter into my last semester as an undergrad at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). It’s about an hour from my hometown and 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis! With graduation in May, I look forward to and dread wrapping up this chapter in my life. I am excited to move into a new chapter, especially on the World Race but sad to leave the life I’ve made in college behind.
I started college with a business degree in mind. That changed and became my minor because I learned pretty early on that it just wasn’t for me. I switched to interpersonal communications, and I have never looked back. To say this is the field for me would be an understatement. I have become great friends with classmates and have been so lucky to have had wonderful professors this entire time! I can honestly say, I like school. Classes are always interesting and I actually enjoy researching the topics.
I am very involved on campus here at SIUE. I work on campus at our Student Fitness Center. This place is practically home to me. I spend long days on campus and this is the place where you are likely to find me! Aside from enjoying my job, I have grown to really love my staff. The professional staff here have been a great influence in my professional development and my student coworkers have grown to be some of my best friends. I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else the past few years.
I am also the chair of Family Programming for SIUE’s Campus Activities Board (CAB). Being on CAB has been more fun than I can even put into words. I love working with other students to put on great events for our campus. Specifically in Family Programming, I get to work with kids! Being a kid at heart, planning the events is a dream come true! I mean who wouldn’t love a gym full of inflatables, watching Frozen in a pool or having a cupcake decorating workshop? The people that are a part of CAB are wonderful people. It is a diverse group with diverse ideas!
I attend church in Edwardsville at Trailhead, a non-demominational church. Trailhead has become my family to say the least. I got involved in a community group my sophomore year and couldn’t be more thankful that I did. The people in that group have seen me at my best and worst, yet have still been there for me no matter what. Their unconditional love and support has grown me in more ways than one. I have had the pleasure of seeing kids born and raised, couples get engaged and married and many college students in the same boat I am. I love these people and this group is what I will miss the most when I leave.
I am excited to add to my story come September!
