Global Awareness:

    I plan to enroll in coursework that expands my understanding of cultures in different parts of the world.  My minor in Russian, hopefully accompanied by a study abroad program, will provide insight into Slavic culture.  In the next few years I will be traveling to Uganda with family, and I hope to integrate experiences like that with my classroom content.  Economics, especially macroeconomics, has enormous global implications. Because a nation’s economy often indicates its standard of living, understanding the larger economics factors in play is key to understanding international relations.  

Original Inquiry & Academic Enrichment

    My major should provide me with a solid foundation upon which my academic curiosity can grow.  The two different paradigms of philosophy and economics offer new perspectives through which to view choices and problem-solving.  My “Contemporary Social and Moral Issues in the United States” class is driven by debates in which we try to come up with sound philosophical arguments to issues deeply rooted in contention.  I will continue to enroll in classes that challenge me to address complex problems on an interdisciplinary level.

    My chosen coursework and fields of study illustrate my commitment to academic excellence.  Despite my lack of experience in the field of economics, I chose economics to be one-third of my major and began my first semester in an honors macroeconomics course.  I made this decision because I realized that economics plays a role in nearly every aspect of life, especially in the societal issues I am passionate about. In order to further my intellectual development, I am willing to push myself by jumping into a new field of discipline.  Additionally, I am fulfilling my GEs with classes that relate the subject back to my major or other topics that excite me. For my biological science GE, I am taking honors Evaluating Evidence, which focuses on analyzing the credibility of science in the media. This class is designed to increase my scientific literacy, which will allow me to research confidently scientific factors influencing public policy or the economy.  In my first semester, three of my five classes are honors.  

Leadership Development & Service Engagement

     I hope to cultivate an aptitude for leadership through active involvement in political organizations (on and off campus).  I am passionate about advocacy for just causes, and I intend on joining mock trial or moot court at some point in my undergraduate career.  I will continue to seek out climates that facilitate intellectual debate so that I may continue to grow in my leadership ability.

     One way in which I plan to serve the community is through politics, primarily voter registration.  In the following months before elections I will be volunteering with OSUVotes to register new voters in the area.  Voter registration and turnout are important because our elected officials should accurately represent the electorate.