Looking Back, What Moment or Experience at VTSU had the Biggest Impact on You?
I would say that the Model UN Club had the biggest impact on me both as a student and personally. I had never really been involved in school clubs in high school outside of sports and the same was true at my previous university. I was a member of this club for three years and slowly worked my way up the chain of command; first I was the club’s treasurer, then Vice President, and finally President this year. It taught me how to manage my time and people simultaneously while building my ability to deliberate on political topics. Going down to Boston for the Harvard Model UN Conference every February with a team of like-minded individuals are some of the best memories I have in my academic journey as a whole. These conferences gave me a taste of what it is actually like to work within the United Nations. The VTSU Model UN Club introduced me to people I hope will be in my life forever as well as making contacts with people around the world. I am sincerely grateful I decided to join the club on that fateful day three years ago.
Who or What Helped You Succeed During Your Time at VTSU?
I would like to center my attention on three individuals, Dr. David Plazek and my parents. From the very first time that I was in Dr. Plazek’s class I knew that I wanted to take more of them. At this point I believe that I have taken nearly every class that he offers. Through the years my relationship with Dr. Plazek has grown from a professor-student association, to a mentor-apprentice situation, to now being considered a friend and colleague. Every step of the way Dr. Plazek encouraged me to take my talents further than I knew possible, even labeling some of my most resent papers as my “magnum opus”. I also would not have been able to succeed as much as I have without the support of my parents. They have never given up on me even when I was at my lowest. When I first went to college in Long Island I prioritized the wrong things. I was going out every night and indulging in what many college students do when they are first given the keys of freedom. I was failing nearly every class that I took and felt lost beyond belief. I was sincerely depressed and even had thoughts about taking my own life – though I never acted on those urges. But my parents never gave up on me even when many would have. Through their support I have now received numerous grants and academic awards at this university. My father died in October of last year and I just wish that he could see that his and my mother’s unwavering support has paid off. I am now graduating and heading to graduate school to become a professor one day. Showing up and supporting your loved ones can benefit them in ways that no one can comprehend.
How did Your VTSU Experience Prepare You for What Comes Next?
My VTSU experience prepared me for what to expect in graduate school. One of the requirements for a Political Science major is to develop a senior thesis in a two-semester long course. I had never written a research paper with the quality of those published in academic journals but in that class I learned how to do so step-by-step and created a 30 page thesis on the crisis of homelessness in the United States and what policies effect the issue both positively and negatively. Another course that prepared me is Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences which is also a requirement for graduating Political Science majors. I know plenty of people who went to graduate school and felt underprepared for the material they were being presented. This course, taught by Dr. Rich Clark, introduced me to the side of quantitative political science research that is typically never touched on until one reaches the next level of education. Now that I have that experience I feel confident in my ability to succeed in graduate school. VTSU, and specifically Dr. Plazek, has also provided me with the opportunity to teach a singular lesson within a class which gave me both a sense of what a graduate course is like as well as what teaching a subject to undergrad students requires from me as an individual.
What are Your Plans After Graduation?
I am heading to graduate school at West Virginia University starting in August! I plan on receiving my masters and eventually my PhD in Political Science with a focus on American Politics and Policy. This will give me the opportunity to become either a professor or a political consultant.
What Advice Would you Give to Incoming or Current VTSU Students?
Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone. I was terrified to go to the Harvard National Model UN Conference my first year and that nervousness never really went away but I learned to embrace it. You do not grow as a person in a state of comfort. The uncomfortable is what drives us to become our best selves. So if you see a club that you’re interested in, go for it! If you think that a different major would be more suitable for you then take a class and find out! Go out and meet your neighbors, some of the greatest people I have connected with were here in Johnson. Don’t be afraid to try something new, for the greatest people in their respective fields were once terrible at it. You have to start somewhere so don’t be afraid to fail! It will only make you stronger.