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Hometown: Bloomington, IL
Year/Graduation: Junior, 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?
I really wanted to step out of my comfort zone and not attend college in my hometown. I was looking for a bit of space to gain some independence from my family. U of I is just 45 minutes away, which is the perfect balance for me! I love that it’s close enough for family dinners every now and then, but far enough to give me that little bit of nostalgia for home. It feels just right!
I really love the location, but what really stands out to me is the academic reputation of the school. Even though Illinois is a larger university, the faculty genuinely care about building strong connections with their students. No matter what your interests are—like my passion for environmental epidemiology—there's always a professor who has experience in that area or knows someone who does. This approach fosters a sense of community on campus. Plus, with so many clubs and activities to choose from, everyone can find something they enjoy and get involved!
I used to be really nervous, and honestly, I still have my moments about whether Illinois would be the right place for me. I worried that I might not be smart enough or that I wouldn’t fit in with the campus vibe. I’m so glad I decided to give U of I a chance! It’s truly opened so many opportunities for me and given me amazing experiences along the way.
Why NRES? – Specifically, why did you choose to study Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences?
I got really interested in pursuing a degree in environmental science after taking a graduate requirement course in the subject. Honestly, I was dreading the class and thought I’d “hate everything about it.” But spoiler alert—it ended up being my favorite class of the year! For the first time, I felt like I could explore a topic forever, and it sparked a deep passion for all things environmental science. During the class, we got to test water quality, dive into population studies, create ethanol, and do a bunch of hands-on experiments that were super interesting.
When I shared my interest in environmental science with my high school teachers, they encouraged me to apply to U of I for the NRES program. I’m so glad I did! Being in this program has been an amazing experience. The professors have such diverse interests and topics that help us grow into stronger, more understanding students. Plus, I've met some of my closest friends here who share my passion and values about the environment.