I did it! I have finally completed my bachelor of science in political science at Southern Utah University.
Let me just say, I LOVE SUU! I honestly owe everything that I am to SUU and my experiences here. Let me enlighten you on why I make such a bold claim....
In 2006 my parents announced that we would be moving to Cedar City, Utah. After months of trying to sell a house we finally moved at the end of October that year. That was about three months into my senior year of high school. I was devastated and heart broken that my parents would tear me away from my friends who were practically family. I won't lie, my senior year was not easy though I did make some pretty great friends during my short time at Cedar High School that helped me out very much. I still know very few of the people I graduated with. Regardless, I look back on that time as a marvelous period of growth in my life. I learned to spread my wings, love my siblings, and be completely comfortable with who I am and what I stand for.
My decision to come to SUU was completely money driven. I had a goal to not go into debt, but didn't have the money to move out of the house and go to school. I also received a 2 year scholarship at SUU. So naturally, SUU was to be the university I'd attend. That same year one of my dearest friends left for his mission and I felt very alone. I missed him terribly and I didn't want to do anything. I met few people and was so shy I wouldn't even accept help from someone when I was carrying a heavy box (though I am now good friends with this person and was always grateful for the gesture). My first year of college was not much better than my last year of high school but that summer was when things started picking up. Enough of the sappy stuff, right?
I was part of an amazing singles ward. I met new friends who have become some of the closest confidants and life-long friends. I had a blast! This is what college was really about. Sure, my formal education was phenomenal, but the things that I learned outside the classroom helped me become who I am today. Chemistry 1010 never really taught me how to be a better person, but it did teach me that I never want to be a chemist. I guess that was a good thing. Thanks to all of those amazing friends who helped me out of the rut that I was stuck in for far too long.
Well SUU seemed a brighter place my second year. I was familiar with the territory and knew how to play the game a little better. I met more and more people though I still was not exactly extroverted. I moved away from home, spent too much money, gained a lot of weight (lost it! Don't worry) and learned a lot about being a "grown up". Yeah, it was some crazy times.
It was the third year that really changed my life. I had been eying the Political Center on campus for quite sometime. I was a political science student, but didn't really have any connection to politics. So I finally plucked up some courage went straight into the Center and looked for the oldest person there. I announced "hi, who are you and how can I get involved?" Best decision I have ever made. It took a little prodding, but the group finally gave me an idea that they had and told me to run with it. Thus Pizza and Politics was born at SUU. It's a political discussion group complete with free pizza. It started off slow, only about 4 or 5 people per week, but it has grown and grown since! Now the program can hardly afford all of the pizza needed to feed everyone. I was so proud of my work there that I applied to be the Student Director of the Leavitt Center even though I was sure I didn't have much of a chance. Another amazing decision.
To my everlasting surprise, I got the position! I was thrilled. This year I have worked harder than a horse to get the Center to go from unknown to necessary on campus. I believe that has happened though there is still a lot of work to be done for next year's Student Director. Our emailing list and attendance have increased by three times what they were last year. Now I must give credit where credit is deserved though, the Executive and Associate Directors did more for the Center than anyone could ever know. The huge increase in numbers can also be credited to the amazing Executive Council, a group of 9 students who ran the Center. You guys are amazing people and I couldn't have done it without you. Shout out to you guys for being so great! The picture below is of me and the two amazing directors of the Center.
This year, again to my surprise, I was accepted to go on a trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for a conference called Education Without Borders. Wow. That was the trip of a lifetime. I learned so much about other cultures, doing something for others and trying everything. It was eye opening! I will never forget the people I met and the lessons I learned.
Well this past year I have become far more outgoing, exciting and I love life more than I could ever say. I have learned more in my four years at SUU than I have anywhere else or at any other time. I've made life changing decisions, played a lot (much to the dismay of my grades at times), and met life long friends. My life is full of the best memories I could ask for. SUU will always hold a special place in my heart.
I love SUU.
Master's in Public Administration. I am really excited to start this fall. Now the only big question is what my emphasis should be. I'm debating right now between higher education and health administration. I worked with the Leavitt Center and fell in love with higher education administration, however, I also did a year long internship with a public health department and also fell in love with that. Luckily I don't have to officially decide for at least one semester, but due to scheduling conflicts in my courses, I may have to declare one a little earlier than I anticipated. Shoot.
