Student spotlights
Check out these student spotlights and featured videos to discover more ways to get involved.
Thuy
- College:
- CBS, CLA
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Biochemistry, Physiology
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
“One Person Can Change the World. Be The Change” is the motto of Circle of Giving, which is a student group and nonprofit organization I helped co-found this year. From my role models, mentors, and peers, I have seen the difference one person can make in their own lives and their community when they decide to become involved. With all of the opportunities the University of Minnesota has to offer, students like myself are blessed with the chance to find activities that suit our interests and allow us to learn and grow.
Dylan
- College:
- CEHD
- Class:
- 2011
- Major:
- Youth Studies
- Minor:
- Political Science
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
By being involved in various activities, I have strengthened my connection to the University of Minnesota. I have been singing since I was a little kid and I am fortunate enough to continue doing what I enjoy here at the U. We have top-notch music performance groups on campus and I am lucky enough to hold a student employment position that lets me work around many talented musicians!
Connor
- College:
- CLA
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Journalism, Art History, Studies in Cinema & Media Culture
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
Everyone talks about how important networking is these days, and for the first half of my college career I just didn't understand how to really improve my networking skills. Does that just mean that I should ask everyone I meet for a business card or talk to every person I know to see if they've can help me out?
Ernest
- College:
- CLA
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Communication Studies
- Minor:
- African and African American Studies
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
As president of PRISM, I am in charge of helping to redevelop the organization. This means I have to do a lot of networking with the various departments at the University of Minnesota and getting to know staff and faculty. I also have learned a lot about campus and the surrounding community. The network I have developed as a byproduct of the work that I have done has really helped to enhance my experience on campus.
Kevin
- College:
- CLA
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Broadcast Journalism, Spanish Studies
Experiences that mattered
- Humphrey Institute Center for Democracy and Citizenship
- Prensa de Minnesota
- Cicerones de Buenos Aires
Reflection
When I started at the University of Minnesota, I knew I needed to make the most of my undergraduate career to prepare me for my lifetime career in bilingual television journalism. After I graduated, I wanted to be able to produce quality video journalism that connects the Spanish-speaking world with the English-speaking one. I knew I’d need to venture outside the classroom to make that happen so I always kept my eye out for opportunities to engage!
Maarya
- College:
- CBS
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Genetics, Cell Biology, Development
- Minor:
- Global Studies
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
Throughout my undergraduate career, I sought out experiences outside my coursework that would be meaningful and unique, and be inclusive of my interests in both global studies and medicine. These experiences not only enhanced my studies, they gave me a chance to apply what I was learning and allowed me to mature as a person.
Ganesh
- College:
- CEHD
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Biology (Concentration of Society and Environment), English
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
I participated in several student organizations on campus during my freshman year. During my sophomore year, I was recruited as a teaching assistant because of my efforts to succeed as an undergraduate. I worked a total of seven semesters alternating as a Teaching Assistant for Cultural Anthropology and U.S. History.
Additionally, I volunteered in hospitals off campus during my spare time to learn about the healthcare industry and to give back to my community. I also completed two invaluable internship opportunities as a personal care assistant (PCA). These prospects helped me to explore healthcare to see it if it was a worthwhile fit for my values, goals, and future.
Finally, as my senior year approached, I was recruited as an instructor to teach two supplemental instruction courses for the TRiO program in the College of Education and Human Development. I was also nominated to participate in the prestigious Tom Burnett Advanced Leadership Program to strengthen leadership skills and mentor a student in the First Year Leadership Institute.
Every one of my experiences directly or indirectly led to bigger opportunities. My position as a Teaching Assistant gave me the skill set and experience that I needed to qualify and teach as an instructor. My volunteer work and vice-president position in the Pre-Occupational Therapy Group provided the experience I needed in order to be accepted to graduate school. Getting to know my professors was an incredible opportunity to not only network, but to obtain wisdom that books could never offer. Additionally, my relationships with my professors lead to scholarships, awards, fellowships and incredible letters of recommendation.
I strongly believe that my experiences on the Twin Cities campus adequately prepared me for my post undergraduate plans and life after graduate school. Different skills and abilities that I discovered and refined were pivotal in allowing me to graduate with a double degree, teach two courses and be accepted into a Master’s program in Occupational Therapy. My advice to impart to those seeking direction is to persevere and remember that college is THE opportunity of a lifetime that billions of people will never have. Napoleon Hill was once noted to say that, "Edison failed 10,000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times."
Leah
- College:
- CBS, CLA
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Biology and Physiology
- Minor:
- Spanish
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
During my undergraduate career, I tried to go outside my comfort zone by placing myself in new situations. In addition to exploring different areas, I consistently contributed my own, unique ideas to work in collaboration with other individuals toward similar goals.
Anh
- College:
- CBS, CLA
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Neuroscience, Psychology
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
Through involvement with student organizations, I have learned the meaning of leadership: to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones to become more active members in their communities. More importantly, I have learned to work with others and to become a more active community member myself.
Do you have a profile or video you would like to see posted on the Engage! search?
For student spotlights: e-mail engagetc@umn.edu with your reflections on 2-3 experiences that mattered to you.
For videos: Send us a link to a YouTube or Media Mill video that highlights your engagement with an undergraduate opportunity, and we'll consider adding it to the site.
