I’ve had many wonderful experiences during my time at NIU (Fall 2011 – Fall 2014), and some of the people I’ve met during my time at NIU have played major roles in making my NIU experience what it was.
Courtney (NIU alumna) is one of my sisters, and my life certainly wouldn’t be the same without her. She was my Membership Educator when I was a Candidate, so she was the first sister that I bonded with. In the following years, we planned Recruitment events together, managed the sorority as a fantastic President-VP team, and bonded even more while we were RAs at University Plaza. She was by my side supporting me as my Vice President, and I couldn’t have asked for a better or more dedicated VP. She reviewed and edited my SROP application essay and always cheered me on. She texted and called me several times when I was an RA on duty for the first time to check in and make sure I was doing okay. We had adventures. Now she lives in Maryland with her family and dalmatian, Phillip Rivers, and I’m preparing to move to Champaign, but every time we talk or manage to get together, it’s as if no time has passed at all.
Becca (NIU alumna)is my sorority big sister who I really bonded with while she was President during my first year as an active. Courtney was also VP while Becca was President, but she had a pretty crazy schedule at the time, and because I had more free time and always volunteered to help, I became Becca’s other VP. Our big-little bond has since flourished, and she’s like the big sister I never had. From “WHERE ARE YOU COME HERE NOW” texts to trading clothes, from skating and Chicago adventures to finding the best frozen custard in any given area and binge-watching “Say Yes to the Dress,” this is true sisterhood.
Dr. Lesley Rigg (VP of Research and Innovative Partnerships) has been the AΩE Mu Chapter’s Faculty Advisor since Fall 2012, and she has been an incredible role model and mentor for all of the members. She’s been a fabulous resource for all things women in science-related, and has helped and supported the chapter in every way she could. There’s been more than one member that has said they want to be her when they grow up!
Dr. Bethia King (Professor of Biology) introduced me to the world of research as my first research mentor. I first met her when I took Biodiversity at NIU and missed the first class because it wasn’t originally in my schedule. Later the following semester when I emailed three faculty members asking about joining their labs, she was the only faculty member I contacted that responded. She gave me a chance and taught me the basics of research, and she nominated me for a 2014 Outstanding Woman Student Award. Without her mentoring, I wouldn’t have become interested in research, and I wouldn’t be as successful as I have been in my science pursuits.
Dr. Doug Wallace (Associate Professor of Psychology) has been an incredible mentor. I first met Doug the summer before I started working in his lab, and by midterms of my first semester working in his lab, he saw my potential and encouraged me to look into summer research programs on campus for Summer 2014 because he had a project in mind. He has always been supportive and eager to help me with personal statements, applications, and choosing programs, and I wouldn’t have become interested in neuroscience without his guidance.
Dr. Leslie Matuszewich (Associate Professor of Psychology, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies) has also been a wonderful mentor and role model. I had a class with her every semester that I was in the psychology program, and she has been a great and inspirational teacher.
Dr. Angela Grippo (Associate Professor of Psychology) has also been a great role model. I only had one class with her, but the work that comes out of her lab is cutting-edge, and she won the APA Distinguished Early Career Scientific Contribution Award in 2012. She probably doesn’t know it since I haven’t worked with her very much, but she is certainly an inspiration to me in more ways than one.
These are some of the people from NIU who have played larger roles in my life during my time at NIU, and I am certain that I will become a combination of these professors and others who will come to play larger roles in my life during graduate school.
Studying Megan 