Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
Major: Fisheries & Wildlife, Spanish
Anticipated Date of Graduation: May 2018
Why did you decide to come to the University of Nebraska?
Although the University of Nebraska wasn’t at the top of my list since I wanted to leave my hometown for college, I decided to go on a college visit just to check it out, and loved the atmosphere and research opportunities at this university.
What is your favorite thing about the University of Nebraska?
My favorite thing about the University of Nebraska is the variety of people I’ve met and the communities I’ve been involved with. I like meeting students that enjoy and care about the same things I do, but I love (and think it’s extremely important) to meet people who have different interests and viewpoints from mine.
What is your favorite class you have taken so far and why?
Classes with Dennis Ferraro (tropical ecology and conservation biology) blew my mind and captured my attention. I can’t say enough good things about the staff in SNR, but he is at the top of my list for favorite professors. Learning from a great guy like Dennis, who cares so much about what he does, is really inspiring to me and drives me to work harder at everything I do. I enjoyed Dennis’ fun personality so much in the classroom that I ended up working in his herpetology lab for a summer.
What are your plans post-graduation?
My dream job is to work on wildlife research in Central and/or South America. I have a passion for learning foreign languages (I’m currently learning Portuguese alongside Spanish), and being able to utilize my love for languages and wildlife at the same time would be so fulfilling.
What’s life like outside of school?
I try to stay pretty involved outside of the classroom. This year I am doing a UCARE project on bats, I am a CASNR Ambassador, involved with Wildlife Club, Archery Club and I row for UNL Crew Club as well. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing, backpacking, hunting and fishing. Being physically active is what keeps me sane when I have a heavy class schedule.