What is your major?
Bachelors of Science in Marine Biology
What makes Stevenson different from the other colleges at UCSC?
The Stevenson community is one that I find is unique to the rest of the colleges. During my time as a student I found that my peers were very kind and always outgoing. Many of the friends that I have today were people that I lived with in House 8. I also found the Stevenson staff and faculty to be very nice and always willing to help.
How are Stevenson students different from other students at UCSC?
In my opinion Stevenson Students are a diverse group of people. Many Stevensonians come from different backgrounds and come with unique experiences and are willing to learn from each other.
Why did you choose Stevenson College? or, Why do you think prospective students might want to choose Stevenson?
I think prospective students should choose Stevenson for a wide variety of reasons. Most notably, Stevenson has the famous knoll which has a beautiful view of the Monterey Bay. We are also in close proximity to the athletic facilities on campus so if you want to go play tennis, go for a swim, or just throw a ball around, Stevenson is a perfect place to do that. Stevenson College also puts on an amazing variety of events. There are monthly college nights, various student led programs and open mic nights held frequently in the Fireside Lounge and Coffee House. Finally, Stevenson is a very close community that generates students with a lot of drive.
What is the most important thing you learned in the Core Course at Stevenson College?
I think the most valuable lesson that I learned from the Core Course was how to budget my time and adhere to strict deadlines in a very fast paced quarter system. Because the quarters at UCSC are only 10 weeks long, work is constantly assigned and due in short periods of time. The Core Course was the perfect medium between the pace of high school and of college.
What activities at Stevenson College or UCSC are you involved in? How did you get involved in this activity and what do you think you've gained from the experience?
I was involved in various activities while at UCSC. For three years I was on the Santa Cruz Swim Team, a NCAA Division III team. During that period I learned a lot about team work and competitive drive, something that I do not think I would have got anywhere else. I also worked as part of the Stevenson Event Staff where I was in charge of audio and visual equipment. From that I was able to meet a great variety of people and got to know the Stevenson College staff on a more personal basis. I still am in contact with them to this day.
Can you tell us about a particularly positive, memorable or special experience you've had with a Stevenson community member (faculty member, staff member, or student)?
Because I worked at the college for three and a half years I have many positive experiences with Stevenson Staff. I think the most memorable come from working with them during the Commencement Ceremonies. It is a group effort and watching all of the different departments at Stevenson come together is always great.
If applicable, how has Stevenson challenged your expectations about college life?
Living at Stevenson gave me first hand experience into what being an independent person is like. I think your first year of college needs to be one of exploration and Stevenson is set-up so that you are given a lot of freedom, but will make sure that you don’t fall off track. That background prepared me for the rest of my college career.
Stevenson is a large community. It was nice to have a large group of students all going through the same things and being able to talk to them about it. I think one of Stevenson’s greatest attributes is its students' ability to work together for a common goal. In my opinion Stevenson College is the closest knit of all of the colleges.
