 Student Spotlight: Nikki
The real world, or some version
of it, seems to have, once again,
snuck into the imminent,
unavoidable futures of college
seniors everywhere. Some of
these students take on this
new experience with complete
unpreparedness, while some, like UNI senior Nikki, feel as
though their undergraduate backgrounds have adequately prepared
them for whatever challenges lay ahead. As a Spanish major,
Public Relations minor, study abroad participant, Dean’s Scholar,
student worker, law student hopeful, and asset to the College of
Humanities and Fine Arts, Nikki is one of UNI’s many successes.
Nikki began her UNI experience in the fall of 2005. As one of
the College of Humanities and Fine Arts Dean’s Scholars, she
immediately found her place on campus. The scholarship program,
which off ers a handful of exceptional students a $5,000 scholarship
each year, tickets to a multitude of shows, presentations, and
speakers, as well as a place where each can centrally locate
themselves, off ered Nikki opportunities not available otherwise.
Nikki, who is one among the eleven Dean’s Scholars, feels “proud
and thankful to be a Dean’s Scholar,” stating that the connections
she has made “have had a very positive impact” on her college
career. She feels as though the communication skills, personal
connections, and overall experience she has had within the College
of Humanities and Fine Arts are the reasons for which she is so
prepared for life after UNI. Reinhold Bubser, Dean of the College
of Humanities and Fine Arts, has been a main character in Nikki’s
UNI experience. “Dean Bubser has had a profound impact on my
life at UNI. Because of my scholarship, Dean Bubser has become
a mentor of mine and has helped me make a lot of big decisions
while at UNI,” said Nikki.
Nikki knew before she came to UNI that she wanted to pursue
the Spanish language. “I chose my major…because of the passion
I developed for the language in high school. I wanted to pursue
a major that I knew I would enjoy and use for a lifetime,” said
Nikki. As one of UNI’s undergraduates studying the language, Nikki spent the second semester of her sophomore year abroad,
in Oviedo, Spain. “My language skills improved greatly. I gained
a deep appreciation for other people and other cultures, something
which I think will benefit me in my future career. Choosing to
study abroad is one of the best decisions I have ever made for
myself,” she stated.
Through Nikki’s involvement within CHFA and UNI as a whole,
she gained the confi dence and background necessary to pursue
her life goals. From learning to balance her time between a job
and classes, to fi guring out that law school is where she sees herself
next year, Nikki feels as though UNI was the best place for her,
stating, “I chose UNI because I fell in love with the campus and
found everyone in the Cedar Valley community to be so friendly
and welcoming.” Nikki’s positive feelings toward UNI continue
to remain in place, and she now excitedly looks ahead to where the
path UNI started her with will lead. |
