Hometown: Spring Bay, Illinois
Major: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication
Anticipated Date of Graduation: May 2016
Why did you decide to come to UNL?
The small-town atmosphere of the university and the friendliness of CASNR faculty and students is really what attracted me to UNL. I also knew that I would be able to flourish in the AESC program and have the opportunity to make an impact working with faculty and fellow students.
What is your favorite thing about UNL?
My favorite thing about UNL is the sense of community and the shared passion for all things Husker-related. Nebraska residents, and especially UNL grads, support anyone who is somehow tied to the state or university. I’ve had numerous conversations with former Huskers all over the U.S., and it makes the world seem a little smaller and a little less intimidating knowing that no matter where I go, if I see a red N in the crowd, it will be followed with a smile and a friendly wave.
I also love seeing a fellow student's eyes light up with interest and enthusiasm for their program of study and the industry they hope to represent post-graduation. My fellow students motivate and encourage me to always try harder and push me to be the best person I can be. I know the professional world will be better off because of the passion and professionalism UNL students bring to their areas of interest.
What is your favorite class you have taken so far and why?
My favorite class would have to be ALEC 393 - “Digital Imaging and Storytelling in Agriculture” taught by Mike Farrell and Mike Forsberg. This class is a hands-on video production class where I was able to create a short documentary focused on women in agriculture, their unique strengths and challenges, and how they’ve affected and changed the industry. This class has challenged me to think bigger, be open to new ideas and harness my creativity to create a story that is compelling, impactful and worth telling. Mike and Mike are influential teachers that encouraged me to dig deeper into this subject and learn some things about myself along the way. This class also gave me the opportunity to further develop my videography and photography skills as well as provide me the tools to create and edit a documentary piece. I highly encourage anyone interested in learning about multimedia production and storytelling to enroll in this class.
What are your plans post-graduation?
After graduation, I will begin working as a marketing representative for John Deere in Ankeny, Iowa.
What’s life like outside of school?
Life outside of school is pretty busy. This year, I had the opportunity to serve as AESC student ambassador, president of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, vice president of communications for Collegiate Farm Bureau, and as a member of Alpha Zeta Honor Society and the Quarter Scale Tractor Pulling team. My time at UNL has been a whirlwind of student activities and class projects, but I’ve had a great time learning from my professors and developing friendships that will last a lifetime.