Where are you from?
I’m local, born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon! I’ve lived here my whole life.
What drew you to English, studio art, and natural resources as your fields of interest?
I’ve always had a talent for words, and I like to think of both my skills with language and my creativity as my greatest strengths, so English was the natural choice for me. It was also a very flexible major where it can get me into a lot of different careers. I minored in art because of a long love for it and wanting to hone my skill. I’ve always been a bit of a tree hugger, so I fell in love with the environmental majors, but I didn’t look into them enough early on, so I had to settle for a minor instead.
What has been your experience as a student of both the College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College?
It’s a little different for me and my year than others, since my first year was totally remote. I have had some struggles with the administration and finding who to talk to, but almost everyone in the faculty has been super supportive and open. I wish that events were at more staggered times though.
Have you started your honors thesis? If yes, what’s the topic and/or focus of your research? If not, are you considering any ideas so far?
I have! I have a mentor who has been very supportive and I’m done with a good chunk of my research. My topic is an analysis on the elements of gothic literature, focusing on suspense and narrative, and their presence in literature, as well as how this relationship has evolved over time.
What have been some of your favorite classes taken?
I have really loved the classes: Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy (WR311), Writing of the Sea (WR460X), Drawing Concepts (ART331), and Honors Writing (HC199). All of these classes gave me a lot of creativity within certain parameters, and you could tell that the instructors for each of these courses truly loved the subjects they taught and were just as passionate about my ideas as I was.
What are you hoping to do after you graduate?
I don’t really have a concrete plan. I’m thinking of taking a year in food service to get back on my feet financially and look around for jobs that interest me. I want to look into environmental writing or some form of journalism, and hopefully I’ll be able to find a job that will pay for my grad school since I want to get my masters in environmental arts and humanities.
How do you feel that your experience in CLA and HC is setting you up for success?
I feel like I have been able to meet a lot of people who will be invaluable to me, both in networking and the advice I’ve been able to take away from knowing them. There have been a lot of resources that have given me a good safety net.