Student spotlights
Check out these student spotlights and featured videos to discover more ways to get involved.
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.
In my position as a Black Student Union general member, I have had the opportunity to work on the Historical Restoration Project. I worked in collaboration with several professors and community members on the pre-conference for the 40th anniversary of the Morrill Hall Takeover, which brought on the development of the first African American Studies Department at any state university nationally. My involvement with that event makes me feel like I am a part of a legacy on the University of Minnesota campus.
Though I only recently became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, it has already had an impact on my undergraduate experience. The activities that I participate in and the mentorship that I have received from the members of this fraternity have provided me with the tools I need to further develop my talents academically and non-academically.
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.
Aaron
- College:
- CEHD
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Kinesiology
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
I got involved as a community adviser for the Multicultural Kickoff. I was also the president of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and was a physiology tutor for two years at the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence. I am also a McNair Scholar and University of Illinois-Chicago Summer Research Opportunity Scholar.
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.
Jill
- College:
- CFANS
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Agricultural Education: Leadership, Training, and Development
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
My first semester in college, I jumped right into joining a sorority on the St. Paul campus, Lambda Delta Phi. For four years, I participated in many events including Homecomings, Spring Jams, Greek exchanges, and Minnesota Royal events. My absolute favorite event would have to be Homecoming. I really got to understand the true Gopher spirit on campus. I also had the opportunity to meet different people throughout the Greek community, some of whom are now my best friends.
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.
Richard
- College:
- CDes
- Class:
- Senior
- Major:
- Environmental Design
- Minor:
- Geography
Experiences that mattered
Reflection
I was fortunate enough during my time at the University to be engaged in several great activities. Three in particular really shaped my experience during my time at the U: a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program) research project, a Metropolitan Design Center fellowship to China, and my membership on the University's Club Tennis team. These activities took me across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, Texas, California, North Carolina, and even to China.
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.
