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Hometown: LaSalle, IL
Year/Graduation: Senior, May 2024
Concentration: Ecosystem Stewardship and Restoration Ecology
Why Illinois? – What factors helped contribute to your decision to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
As a transfer student, UIUC was the most accommodating and helpful during this process. I immediately felt at home when I arrived here! UIUC is also very accommodating to veteran families, which I found very helpful in terms of choosing this school.
There are plenty of opportunities provided to grow both your academic career as well as your post-collegiate career. Also, coming from a small town, I was very attracted to the large campus life while also still feeling the same community aspects of a small town. UIUC’s commitment to a walkable/bikeable campus sold me as well; I love the idea of getting places without depending on a personal vehicle while feeling safe enough to do this independently.
Overall, it was an easy choice coming to Illinois and I’m proud to be a part of the Illinois family!
Why NRES? – Specifically, why did you choose to study Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences?
I have always had a passion for the outdoors both from a conservationist perspective and as a recreationist. My father is also an NRES Alum, which made the choice pretty easy for me and I knew NRES would be a perfect fit!
NRES is an extremely diverse program, from Fish & Wildlife to Human Dimensions there is something for everyone! I also found that the community within NRES was something special. The professors are passionate about their research and my peers are wonderful to be around.
Overall, choosing NRES was one of the best choices I have made and has provided me with wonderful academic opportunities as well as future career opportunities that allow me to be outside as much as possible!