Senior Profile: Kathryn Dixon

What is your major and minor? What other academic programs were you a part of?

Environmental Studies major with a specialization in Biology. Chemistry minor.

What are some of the jobs you held while at McDaniel?

Student Ambassador for Admissions Department, a SASS tutor, and a note taker for SASS. I also worked as a Summer Science Academy Counselor for McDaniel in the summer as well.

What organizations were you a part of at McDaniel? What positions did you hold?

McDaniel Women’s Soccer, Alpha Phi Omega (Positions: Sergeant at Arms two different semesters), Pre Health Club, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Trumpeters Leadership Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, Gamma Sigma Epsilon (GSE) Honor Society (Position: Sergeant at Arms), Tri Beta Honor Society

Have you enjoyed your time at McDaniel? If so, what did you enjoy the most?

I enjoyed my time attending sporting events on the Hill with my team and friends and exploring many new academic fields through my liberal arts education.

Who do you think was/is your best mentor?

Dr. Engle and Dr. Ferraris were my best mentors.

Describe your favorite memory at McDaniel.

My favorite memories have been going to Switzerland and Germany with the soccer team and to two Jan terms (Bahamas and Peru). Additionally, I have loved going on adventures with the environmental studies department with some of my favorite professors and meeting my best friend Sarah Cowan.

What are some of the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?

I had always planned to be Pre-med and thought I had to major in biology but then realized I had a passion for the environment and how it impacts human health as well. I was scared to change my plan I had in my head for so long but ,y educational opportunities and mentors at McDaniel helped me to embrace both passions and enabled me to find a path that overlaps both fields.

What are your plans for after graduation?

I will be attending Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to obtain my Master of Health Science in Environmental Health degree with the plan of then continuing on to pursue a career in Public Health and obtain my doctorate in environmental epidemiology.

What would you tell yourself as a first-year student at McDaniel?

I would tell myself to always try to make the biggest positive impact you can in everything you do. You never know who you might be helping and the little differences you make can have a large influence on others and the world around you.

Where do you see the world in 10 years?

In 10 years I see the world as a place of change. I hope to see changes in perspectives, changes in our environmental conditions, changes in treatment and acceptance towards others, changes in our health care system, changes in our norms, and changes towards equality.

How do you reflect on your senior year during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic?

This pandemic took away some of the most important memories and experiences during the time of our lives as seniors in college. I learned to appreciate every opportunity big or small more than ever because you never know what might be taken from you and not ever be given back.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the McDaniel community?

Don’t be afraid to fall while you’re climbing on the hill or anywhere else in life. You can and will always be able to find a way to get up again. You never know when the next part of your climb might turn out to be even better than your original path.