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.
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.
As an undergraduate I was very interested in humanitarian aid. To make this interest become a reality, I co-founded Biology Without Borders (BWB) to encourage others with a similar passion to work together to provide aid. We travel to Tanzania every summer to lend a hand in less visible communities. With the formation of BWB, students now have the opportunity to volunteer locally and internationally. Not only do these opportunities make traveling to other communities possible, the funding that BWB offers makes the traveling financially feasible. This summer, we are implementing a sustainable, long-term diabetes project entitled Diabetes Advocacy Through Awareness and Education (DATAE), in which many more students can participate in the future.
When I entered college, the only post-graduate plan on my mind was medical school. My engagements in student groups have given me a variety of opportunities to explore different careers. Through my involvement with the neuroscience and forensic science club, I learned about research and have participated in numerous research projects at the University. Currently, I am conducting electrophysiology research in Dr. Mark Masino's lab in the neuroscience department. With that experience, I considered a pursuing a Ph.D. After volunteering and traveling with BWB and learning about health through the lens of a public health advocate, I've learned that I really want to pursue advanced degrees in medicine and public health.
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.
