Major Insight

Uncertainly is a big part of life, especially for college students who are figuring out their future. For Alexandria Coffman ‘23, embracing uncertainty is an essential part of success. We’ll also talk about gaining and nurturing leadership experience. Building a new network of friends from scratch. And about how there may not be one right answer for your future, but lots of right answers. Featured Majors: Urban and Regional Planning, Geography and Sustainable Development, Sustainability Featured Organizations: EcoReps

Never let the fear of rejection hold you back. That’s one of the most valuable lessons Kailey Kraft has learned in college so far. As an economics major, Kailey has already interned with the Federal Reserve and participated in the extremely selective Fed Challenge Competition. We’ll also talk about the extraordinary power of facing your fears, and about the domino effect it can have on academic success and social support. Featured Majors: Quantitative Economics Featured Organizations and Internships: The Fed Challenge, Women in Economics, the Federal Reserve

It was a love of movies and music that inspired Ryan Rosu to study film in college. But along the way, he also became interested in the kinds of writing and thinking that unlocked new levels of self-awareness and personal understanding. We’ll also talk about immersing yourself in your passions, and about the value of surrounding yourself with people who are just as passionate as you are. Featured Majors: Film Studies, English Literature, Philosophy Featured Organizations: Inside Hollywood, Telluride Film Festival’s Student Symposium, Zero Waste Oxford

Zoë Neubig ’23 creates personal works of art that circumvent the elitist mentalities often found in the art world. Her work also focuses on the experiences of growing up as a woman in today’s society, and her exploration of art history is helping new generations of artists and historians bring difficult topics to light. We’ll also talk about overcoming imposter syndrome, and about embracing new opportunities wherever and whenever they present themselves. Featured Majors: Studio Art, Art Therapy, Art History Featured Organizations and Internship: Miami University Art Museum, College of Creative Arts Student Advisory Council

Ben Maldonado '23 has always loved math and problem solving, which is why he’s now exploring the new frontiers of machine learning, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and self-driving cars. We’ll also talk about gaining leadership experience through Greek life, about making hard college decisions, and about why it’s important to close some doors before new ones can open. Featured Majors: Computer Science, Data Science and Statistics Featured Organizations and Internship : Center for Analytics and Data Science, Alpha Psi Lambda, Miami University Climbing Club, Miami University Outdoor Pursuit Center, Neurolex Data Science Intern, Amazon Software Engineering Intern

Makenzie Knore is a true storyteller who hopes to inspire curiosity and to enrich lives through many forms of media including screenwriting, songwriting, and film making. We’ll also talk about overcoming college doubts, finding confidence and clarity when your path becomes uncertain, and about how movies, music, and media can carry us through tough times. Featured Majors: Media & Culture, Creative Writing, Music Composition, Emerging Technology in Business + Design Featured Organizations: Miami Television News, University Communications and Marketing, Miami University Gospel Singers, Intramural Sports Program, Inside Hollywood (Study Away program)

Theatre has the power to inspire, educate, and even change the world. And for Charlotte Perez ‘23, it’s the perfect way to address important social issues through the power of art and performance. She’s been a playwright, a performer, a stage manager, and she recently directed the Theatre Department’s mainstage production of the “Angel’s Trumpet,” while also staying involved on campus as a tour guide, and more. On this episode, we’ll also talk about navigating college as a first-gen student. And about the importance of following your own intuition as a way to find out who you really are, and who you may wish to become. Featured Majors: Theatre, Social Justice and Inequalities Featured Organizations: The Walking Theatre Project, Office of Admissions Campus Tours, Cedar Summerstock Theatre Company Internship, London Theatre Study Abroad, Urban Cohort, Fostering Just Communities

When Laura Schonken decided to help plant flowers for club in high school, she never imagined how that experience would change her life forever. Today, Laura hopes to make a positive impact on the world through botany and science. But plants aren’t her only passion. Laura is also interested in fashion. So we’ll talk about this unique combination of majors -- and about ways to avoid burnout, the value of research lab experience, the importance of peer perspectives, and about learning how to take your time in college by letting things grow and unfold in their own natural way. Featured Majors: Botany, Fashion Design Featured Organizations: The Bauer Lab, The Botanical Society, Miami University Fashion & Design (MUF&D), Miami Apiculture Society, Undergraduate Summer Scholars, MU Costume Shop

When Eckhardt Karsten ‘24 first took the initative to email a professor for a simple recommendation, he never imagined the life changing paths it would ultimately open. Today Eckhardt is embarking on an ecological research project as part of the U.S. Antarctic Program and he’s a member of the Honors College Student Advisory Board on campus. On this episode, he also talks about overcoming the fear of reaching for new opportunities and how building confidence is key for college success. Featured Majors: Microbiology, Environmental Sciences, Geology Featured Organizations and Internships: Honors College Student Advisory Board, Rachael Morgan-Kiss Lab, Pacific Northwest National Lab, The REU Disturbance Ecology in Central Appalachia Summer Research Program

After finding her passion to connect with people from different backgrounds, Victoria Lopez Rangel is combing a love of languages with a career field that's greatly in need of more bilingual speech pathologists. Victoria is also a recent recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship for Portuguese, and on this episode, we'll talk about finding a place on campus while managing the challenges of being a commuter student, why it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times, and about overcoming the trap of being too hard on yourself. Featured Majors: Speech Pathology & Audiology, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Latin American Studies Featured Organizations: National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, Miami in Spain (study abroad)

On this episode, we welcome Meredith Aliff '24 to the podcast as the new host of Major Insight. An all new season is here as our hosts talk about embracing the newfound independence of university life, viewing college as a glimpse into adulthood, crossing paths with different people across campus, and why you should never be afraid to try new and interesting things.

Hear stories from students who found the courage to step out of their comfort zone, embrace exciting opportunities, join new clubs, and get involved on campus. As we prepare to bring you a new season of Major Insight this fall, part two of this special summer series shares some of the best advice from the podcast so far.

Hear stories from students who found themselves away from home for the first time, trying to make new friends, and learning how to adapt and thrive in new and unfamiliar environments. As we prepare to bring you a new season of Major Insight this fall, part one of this special summer series shares some of the best advice from the podcast so far. 

Gretchen Spenn is highly involved in the academic and cultural sides of campus life. As a Kinesiology and Nutrition major, she combines her interests in sport and physical activity with a deeper understanding of how nutritional needs change as we grow and age. Gretchen is also a member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, which is commemorating a 50-year-long partnership with Miami University this year. Her work is helping to strengthen the relationship between the two Miamis by promoting the language, culture, knowledge, and values of the Myaamia people. Featured Majors: Kinesiology, Nutrition Featured Organizations: Myaamia Center, Native American Student Association

Wil Stevens ‘23 has come a long way from his Chicago neighborhood to Miami University, where he plays on the Men’s Basketball team and studies East Asian Languages & Culture. On this episode, he also talks about discovering his interest in East Asian culture, how to balance athletics with academics, and how he’s building confidence and character, and all while staying true to himself.

After seeing how the pressures of ballet dancing affected the mental health of many close friends, Kristina Miljkovic ‘22 became interested in psychology. Today, psychology continues to influence her work with the Research on Eating Disorders and Suicidality Lab (REDS), and she’s added a public health degree to help even more people live healthier, happier lives. On this episode, Kristina also talks about avoiding the trap of comparing yourself to others and the importance of taking things one day at a time. Featured Majors: Psychology, Public Health, Dance Featured Organizations: Research on Eating Disorders and Suicidality Lab, UP Magazine, Miami University Fashion & Design

Music performance and zoology define two different sides of James Lukenda ‘23. He is not only studying animals in an academic setting, he’s also the first violin in the Miami University Symphony Orchestra. James is also highly active on campus as the VP of the Miami University Audubon Bird-Watchers Society, and on this episode, hear how his different interests work together in surprising ways, how music has improved many aspects of his life, and how a lifelong love of animals is preparing him for a meaningful career after graduation. Featured Majors: Zoology, Music Performance Featured Organizations: Audubon Bird-Watchers Society, Miami University Symphony Orchestra

Molly Ferguson ‘23 discovered her passion for nursing early on. When a memorable experience at a young age showed her the difference a caring and compassionate nurse can make, she knew she wanted to have that same impact on patients and families one day. On this episode, Molly also talks about balancing her major with student organizations, and about how rewarding it can be to find a career dedicated to helping others. Featured Majors: Nursing (BSN) Featured Organizations: Miami Oxford Student Nurse Association (MOSNA), Kappa Kappa Gamma

Startup entrepreneurship is an area that Blake Faulkner ‘23 knows well. As a junior, Blake is already working on scaling up his own venture-backed startup called Bloxsmith -- a Web 3.0 company that provides an innovative marketplace for metaverse game developers. Blake is also highly involved in Miami’s student-led venture capital fund, Redhawk Ventures. And on this episode, he talks about the road that led to Bloxsmith, overcoming the challenges of building a new business, and how more students can follow their own entrepreneurial dreams. Featured Majors: Entrepreneurship, Finance, Anthropology Featured Organizations: RedHawk Ventures, RedHawk Launch Accelerator

Teaching is almost a family tradition for Olivia Casey ‘22. As a Middle Childhood Education major, Olivia is preparing to teach math and social studies and she’s part of the Urban Cohort, where she collaborates with high-needs local schools. She is also all about studying abroad, and became passionate about traveling after visiting MUDEC, Miami’s campus in Luxembourg. On this episode, she also talks about the life-changing impact of experiencing new cultures, the joys of teaching, and how to overcome homesickness after moving away to college. Featured Majors: Middle Childhood Education, TESOL Endorsement (Teaching English to speakers of other languages) Featured Organizations: Urban Cohort, College of Education, Health and Society (EHS) Ambassadors, Miami Activity and Programming (MAP)