“I studied Psychology at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where one of the highlights was the ‘Learning and Behavior’ course, commonly known as the ‘rat class.’ In this course, my classmates and I trained lab rats to compete in obstacle courses, culminating in the ‘Rat Olympics.’ My rat, Emilia, won second place in the wall climb! After the class, I adopted three of the rats and loved them dearly.

“Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is my favorite book, and has been throughout the multiple times I’ve read it. I appreciate both the factual and storytelling elements of this nonfiction work, which details Christopher McCandless’s decision to abandon material possessions and create a new life for himself in the wild. While I don’t see myself venturing into the “wild,” I find many of Christopher’s views resonant and thought-provoking.”

“I wish I could draw and paint. I often find it difficult to translate what I visualize in my mind onto paper. If I had this skill, I would use it purely for personal enjoyment. I look up to my 94-year-old grandmother, who almost pursued a career in art before switching to dietetics. Despite her hand being shakier now, she still enjoys watercolor painting, and I admire her for keeping up with her hobby.”

“After graduating college, I faced the challenge of figuring out my next steps. When I chose Psychology as my major, people often asked, “What are you going to do with that degree?” At the time, I dismissed it, but after struggling to find a job, their concerns felt valid. Still, I held onto my belief that studying something I loved would lead to something meaningful. With encouragement from my friends and family to persevere, I stayed hopeful. In January 2024, I started working here at the Center—a job I truly love.”