What is your preferred name and major(s) and minor(s)?
My name is Zoie and I am a history major. I’ve also dabbled in sociology, cross cultural studies, and the encompass program.
What are some of the jobs you held at McDaniel?
I’ve worked at the library for four years as a technical services student worker, I’ve been a peer mentor, a SASS peer tutor, an admissions student ambassador and admissions operations student worker, and a camp aide at conference services.
What organizations were you part of at McDaniel?
I have been active in Green Life, the Progressive Student Union, and Compassionate Communities. I’m also in four honors societies and the honors program. I’ve also taken part in LEAD, LeaderShape, the Griswold-Zepp Award, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
How much did you enjoy your time at McDaniel?
I have changed as a person since starting McDaniel. I’ve been lucky enough to have had many opportunities at McDaniel that have changed how I view myself and the world. I was awarded a grant to do research with Dr. Fang in China, have interned at the UNHCR in Budapest while I was studying abroad, and have presented research at conferences at St. Petersburg and Pittsburgh.
Who do you think is/was your best mentor(s)?
My favorite professors were Dr. Upton in history, Dr. Leahy in political science, and Dr. Smith in sociology. They always supported me and encouraged me to apply for opportunities outside of my comfort zone. They made McDaniel special for me.
What were some of the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
Sometimes I felt like everything was too busy or too stressful or that I didn’t deserve to have the opportunities that I was given. Sometimes I wanted to leave McDaniel and thought about taking a semester off or transferring. I am so thankful for the great professors that we have here. They have been my support system. They have a real passion to connect with and aid students.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I’m going back to Budapest! I was awarded a scholarship to study political science at Central European University! It is a one year program and ranked #29 in the world!
What is your best memory at McDaniel? What is your worst memory at McDaniel?
Ooh, that’s a hard one. I’m split between late night cards against humanity parties in the room of requirement during orientation, sledding down the gold course hills, leafletting and handing out vegan food samples outside of glar, and sitting outside PA ave and picnicking and hula-hooping with my friends.
My worst was probably either the power outage or jan term my freshman year! It was so cold and there were continuous ice storms.
What advice can you give to those not graduating?
Apply for everything that you can—your dream internship or fellowship or graduate school. Study abroad—my first flight was my sophomore year to China! We actually flew over the polar ice caps! Every flight since then has seemed way less scary and much shorter to me.
