Activities: , presentations at Erickson Undergraduate Reasearch Conference, M.J. Murdock Conference, Bible study
Hometown: Ellensburg, Washington
What is something you wish everyone knew about your major? The math is hard, but you really don't need it after you take the classes. Just power through it and you won't have to see it again (at least in my experience).
What was your most impactful class or professor? My most impactful class in computer science was Concepts in Programming. This class is hard, but it forces you to become comfortable with your abilities to code and solve problems. Just be ready for a lot of coding. My most impactful class in my biology minor would be genetics. Genetics gave me real, hands-on experience of research, which I was able to get a paper out of it.
What are you excited for in your future career? I am going into cancer research and I am excited to explore what that means and looks like. I am also excited to see what different labs are doing and how they are fighting cancer.
What advice do you have for incoming students? Your first year is going to be tough: you're away from home, you are forced to make all new friends, classes are way harder than high school, and you might not like your professors, but after the first year it gets easier. You learn your groove, how to study, and you get more comfortable with yourself. However, the most important thing is to get close to God. He will be there for you no matter what.
How have you grown during your time at SPU? College not only allows you to grow your education, but it also forces you to grow as a person. You don't realize how much you need to grow until you're faced with it. God has guided me through these last three years, gently guiding me and pushing me out of my comfort zone. Change will happen, and it’s just a matter of how you are going to grow from it and who you are going to grow with.