麻豆视频

鈥溌槎故悠� has changed me in so many ways. I鈥檝e grown in communication, networking with other students, and managing my time more effectively.鈥�

Degree/Certificate & Anticipated Class Year 
Associate in Arts 鈥� DTA Chemistry 鈥�26 

Hometown 
Cowiche, Wash. 

Major 
Chemistry 

How did you decide on a major? 
I like all the different ways you can help the world. I was watching a documentary about carbon emissions and all of these super bad ways that the world is dying. There are so many bad things going on right now that are permanently damaging the Earth. 

Hopefully with the knowledge I acquire about chemistry, I can find a way to reverse some of this damage so the generations that come after us will have a better place to live. 

What do you like or find most interesting about your major? 
There's so much cool stuff that you鈥檙e able to do with chemistry. For example, there is this one invention that I saw recently where scientists were able to create bacteria that can help break down plastic waste, which was cool.  

Another thing I鈥檝e learned is how we use chemistry and chemical principles in everyday life, like when we cook or bake. Which is so cool. I think all that stuff is interesting, from our couches, to how legs are connected to the table or how paper is made.  

What does being a first-generation college student mean to you? 
It鈥檚 pretty cool being a first-generation college student. Earning a degree has been tough, but it鈥檚 also inspired my younger sisters and brother. It鈥檚 helped them realize they鈥檙e not limited 鈥� they can grow into all these amazing things they dream about. School isn鈥檛 just about showing up and doing nothing. There鈥檚 so much more they can do. I love that. 

As a first-generation student, one of the biggest challenges was the lack of guidance early on. I started college not really knowing what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to help people, but I didn鈥檛 know what resources were available or who to ask for support. I had to figure out who I needed to surround myself with to help me reach my goals. 

What made you interested in studying at YVC? 
When I saw the location, it really made me want to stay here. College, man 鈥� it just felt right. Some of my friends from high school came to YVC, and it turned out to be a great place to get started before transferring to a university. I kind of followed their recommendations, and now I鈥檓 here. 

Extracurriculars 
ASYVC Vice President, STEM Club, Engineering Club, Climbing Club 

What three words would you use to describe YVC? 
Community, Fun, Awesome 

What鈥檚 your favorite class? Why? How has it expanded your knowledge? 
Chemistry with Natalia Dunn was one of my favorite classes. She鈥檚 so cool and super fun. What makes her stand out is how she interacts with students 鈥� not just handing out papers and saying, 鈥楧o the work,鈥� but actually helping us and answering questions in a way that鈥檚 engaging and supportive. She doesn鈥檛 just say, 鈥榊ou have to do this,鈥欌�攕he makes learning enjoyable. If you get the chance to take chemistry with Dunn, you definitely should. She鈥檚 awesome. 

Who is your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor? 
There are so many cool mentors here. Kevin Huerto, who teaches calculus, was one of them 鈥� he鈥檚 a super cool guy and even does rock climbing. He鈥檚 great to talk to and really approachable. Then there's Matthew Loeser, a biology instructor I worked with during my summer research. He鈥檚 an awesome instructor and great mentor. And Cristy Rasmussen, STEM director, is another incredible resource. These are the kinds of people who will talk with you, support you, and help guide you. If you鈥檙e looking for mentors, they鈥檙e great ones to connect with. 

What鈥檚 your favorite spot on campus? 
There are a lot of cool places. The HUB is great 鈥� we鈥檝e got a pool table and a setup where you can bring video games and play. But honestly, my friends and I mostly hang out in the [ASYVC] office where we work. It鈥檚 a fun space, and a lot of people stop by, so we get to interact with them. We also visit the snack pantry and do homework together. There鈥檚 a STEM room with big windows, and the library is another popular spot, especially for STEM students. It鈥檚 a great place to study with friends. 

Were there any barriers you overcame to be successful at YVC? 
One of the biggest barriers I鈥檝e overcome to be successful is time management. Staying consistent and keeping things under control 鈥� especially at home 鈥� can be tough. If you let it slip, it can really affect your progress. Fortunately, there are workshops on campus that offer advice and support. The Career and Wellness Center is a great resource. They helped me with scheduling and managing my time, which made a huge difference. That鈥檚 definitely one barrier I鈥檝e worked hard to overcome. 

How has 麻豆视频 changed you? 
I鈥檝e grown in communication, networking with other students, and managing my time more effectively. I鈥檝e even learned negotiation skills 鈥� like during Senate meetings, when we鈥檙e trying to get something passed or discuss ideas with representatives. That鈥檚 been great real-world practice. 

I鈥檝e also picked up marketing skills. When we plan events for YVC 鈥� like our pizza socials or Spring Fling 鈥� we learn how to create posts that really grab people鈥檚 attention and get them to show up. Our events are awesome, and it鈥檚 cool to see people get excited about them. 

Are there any support services or resources that you have taken advantage of? How have you found these beneficial? (e.g. tutoring, academic advising, library) 
The Math Center has been incredibly helpful to me. If you have any questions related to math, you should definitely check it out 鈥� they鈥檙e super helpful. Many of the math instructors are also available at the center, which is a great place to go if you鈥檙e applying for scholarships or looking into summer research opportunities. They鈥檒l guide you through the process and give you a strong chance of getting in. 

Another valuable resource is the Career and Wellness Center. You can drop by to get tips on job interviews, time management and more. The staff there are amazing. They鈥檝e been a huge help and have really supported me in becoming a stronger, more successful student. 

What are your educational or career goals after YVC? What are your dreams? 
My educational and career goals after YVC are rooted in chemistry. I want to become highly skilled in the field, even though that sounds broad right now. I鈥檓 working on narrowing it down. Ultimately, I want to take what I鈥檝e learned and make it accessible to others especially through creative and engaging formats. 

For example, last year I did research with local farmers and created 3D animations to help explain crop science in a way that children could understand. I鈥檇 love to do something similar with chemistry 鈥� possibly through Disney-style animation 鈥� to help people understand how chemistry works, how harmful practices are affecting the planet, and how science can help reverse that damage. 

One area I鈥檓 passionate about is the ocean. I鈥檝e learned that oceans absorb a massive amount of carbon, and that deforestation and destructive fishing practices 鈥� like deep-sea trawling 鈥攁re damaging coral ecosystems. These ecosystems play a critical role in regulating Earth鈥檚 climate and carbon levels. If we keep destroying them, we risk long-term harm to the planet. I believe we can fix it, but it鈥檚 going to take a lot of work, and I want to be part of that solution. 

Have you had the opportunity to do research with a professor? If so, please describe the project and the experience. 
Being part of research has been incredibly valuable. If you ever get the opportunity, you should absolutely take it 鈥� it鈥檚 worth it. One of the biggest benefits is connecting with mentors and faculty members beyond the classroom. You get to know them on a deeper level, and that relationship can really help you grow. 

Research also opens your eyes. You鈥檒l likely be reading a lot of articles related to your topic, which gives you a broader perspective. For example, I researched antibiotics last year. At first, I thought they were just something scientists created in labs. But I learned that bacteria actually fight other bacteria 鈥� and that鈥檚 how antibiotics are discovered. It鈥檚 concerning, though, because while bacteria are evolving, we haven鈥檛 done enough research to keep up. If we don鈥檛 act, we could face serious consequences. 

That鈥檚 why the research we鈥檙e doing here is so important. It鈥檚 not just about science 鈥� it鈥檚 also about communication and networking. If you ever need a recommendation letter, chances are your mentor will be the one to write it. That kind of support is incredibly valuable. 

Do you have anything else you鈥檇 like to share with us about your experience at YVC? 
One thing I always tell people is: make friends and network. Connect with others 鈥� don鈥檛 isolate yourself. It鈥檚 important to stay focused on your goals, but if you have the chance to attend an event and meet new people, take it. You never know who you might meet 鈥� maybe someone who shares your interests. 

Build a group, get involved, and participate in all the amazing things happening at YVC. There are events and opportunities you might not even know about until you show up. And once you do, you鈥檒l see just how cool it all is.