Why do you like Northwestern?
I love Northwestern College because of the people. There are so many people that want to invest in other people’s lives and establish meaningful relationships. The girls that I have gotten to know really well are willing to pray with me, talk about issues I’m struggling with, and just laugh with me. I promised all of them that we are going to always be BFFs.

Which residence hall do you live in?
I’ve lived in Knuha every year now. Knuha is definitely the place to be. There are always activities. Knuha Day is kind of like a talent show where every hall performs in the student center. The Res Life staff votes for the winner and you do a performance based on your hall theme. There are other activities, like Christmas Extravaganza, where each hall decorates however they would like for Christmas. Knuha definitely has many bonding experiences.

College involvements?
Besides volleyball, I’m the Treasurer of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). This is the only IABC student chapter in Minnesota and it’s a networking opportunity to meet with public relations and business professionals. I also work as an Admissions Ambassador, which means I give tours of the campus, have lunch with visiting students, etc. It’s been so fun working with friends and meeting new people. I’m definitely a people-person, so it’s the perfect job. I also help out my RA by being her Ministry Partner. Through this, I help plan activities, pray with the RA for guidance in the hall, and get to know the girls in our hall.

Favorite place on campus?
The fountain is my favorite. After class, during the fall and spring, students just sit by the fountain and soak up the sun. It’s a great place to just relax and enjoy the sun. A lot of my friends also do this, so it’s just a fun meeting spot to talk.

How has your relationship with the Lord changed since you've been at NWC?
My relationship with the Lord has changed significantly. I was always known as “Christian” throughout high school, but only because I wouldn’t swear, steal, drink, etc. I never really lived my life for Christ everyday. After coming to NWC, I am spurred on by others to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus. He’s my Creator and Romancer and wants me to talk to Him. Ever since I’ve come to NWC, I have gotten deeper in the Word and deeper in relationships with other Christians. NWC has helped me establish a strong faith with a foundation only in Him.

Special Northwestern moment?
Our hall went to Coldstone after hours for free ice cream. When we got there, our president, Dr. Al Cureton, and his wife were there too! He is such a big teddy bear and I just want to embrace him every time I see him. Yay Blue Hall!

Favorite classes?
So far, the Book of John and Management. I know they are complete opposites, but they are my passions: the Bible and business.

Favorite professors?
Every professor in the business department. They are all so good at teaching because they just love their subject. They have so much previous experience in business that is great getting an inside view of the business world. And they also are so personable that I always want to stop by their offices and talk to them.

Also, Dr. Mark Muska (biblical & theological studies professor) is amazing. He probably would brush it off that I think he’s so good at life, but he has guided my faith in so many ways that I just can never thank him enough. His class on the Book of John made me love Jesus even more.

David Johnson is another one of my favorites. He’s a literature professor and he relates literature to Christianity. He really makes us think about the issues of life and I just cherish what he has to say.

Favorite Twin Cities location outside NWC?
I love driving in Minneapolis. I don’t even need a destination. Especially during the Christmas season, I love just driving down and looking at the Christmas lights in the parks. Downtown Minneapolis is just a really fun place. You can find a new place to hang out every time you go there.

NWC missions/service experience?
Through NWC, I have gone on two missions trips. My freshmen year, I traveled with the volleyball team to Costa Rica. We traveled downtown to give homeless people bread and juice. One guy didn’t know how to speak English, and after he got his food, he put his hand on his heart and pointed up towards the Lord. It was so great that the Lord used me to bless this man.

My sophomore year, I went to Tijuana, Mexico with Northwestern’s spring break missions teams. We went to a battered women’s shelter for single mothers. It was a ladies-only mission trip, which was a bonding experience in itself. We stayed at one shelter and got to know the mothers and their children. We held VBS programs for the kids and painted their kindergarten room with the story of Noah and the ark. The look on the kids’ faces when they saw the room for the first time was enough of a reward. Before I left, a little girl named Veronica, who I always called my best friend, gave me a teddy bear that she had. I have it to this day and sleep with it to remind me of her.

Plans after graduation?
Northwestern has prepared me for life. I know who I am and what I want to do and I have Christ who strengthens me. I’m hoping to pursue advertising in the corporate world. I would love to work alongside an established company and promote their brand. It sounds kind of nerdy and I never would have thought that I would be interested in this, but the business world is so exciting to me. I really want to work for a corporation somewhere, but a marketing agency is also a possibility. I just know I want to give presentations representing a company and plan events and fundraisers, etc. There are so many job opportunities that would allow me to do this, so we will see what lands in my lap.

If someone asked you why they should attend NWC, what would you tell them?
Come now. It’s hard to get a taste of the culture at NWC by just going on a tour or eating lunch with ambassadors. I would tell them to stay a night, and they will just know. Everyone is so welcoming and makes you feel like their dorm is your home. Jesus is so prevalent on this campus. You will just feel the love of Christ once you step on campus.