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Hometown: Belleville, IL
Year/Graduation: Sophomore, May 2027
Concentration: Human Dimensions of the Environment
Why Illinois? – What factors helped contribute to your decision to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
Coming from a small town, college for me seemed like this huge opportunity to explore something completely new and different! So, with that in mind I had three goals for my so-called “dream school”. I wanted a big campus to explore, a diverse student body, and lots of opportunities available for my major. And initially I thought to have all this, I would have to go somewhere far and out of state, which was too expensive for me.
So, I gave UIUC a chance, and I'm so glad I did. It checks all the boxes and really is the perfect fit.
Something I'm especially grateful for is having the opportunity to be far enough to experience something new, but still close enough I can still visit my friends and family on any weekend.
Why NRES? – Specifically, why did you choose to study Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences?
I've known for a while I wanted to have a career in environmental science, I've always had this love of the field. But I never really knew what I wanted to do. And that's why I chose NRES. I love how the major has such diverse class options, and it really gives you the opportunity to not only better understand what you're studying but also the different opportunities in your field.
Also, the community is just as amazing! It's refreshing to feel like you're part of this close-knit community while being in such a large campus. Being able to really get your peers and learn all sorts of new perspectives is beyond rewarding. The professors are amazing, they all have such a clear passion for their field, making even the most boring topics somehow intriguing.
Overall, everyone is very welcoming, and this is easily a place you'll feel right at home