prospective honors students

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Britany Dean, Senior
 

MAJOR: Public Relations

MINOR: Marketing

HOMETOWN: Brazil, IN

EMAIL: bdean7@sycamores.indstate.edu

 

What are your career goals, and why?

I want to continue my education after graduating from Indiana State. I plan on attending graduate school to study marketing and then completing a doctoral degree in higher education administration with the ultimate goal of becoming the president of a college or university. I have loved the idea of working in higher education since I came to Indiana State and the opportunities I have been given to explore the career have secured my decision.

What hobbies or interests do you have?

I like to read best-selling books and love going to watch movies at the local theatre. I am interested in the social media trend and am currently conducting research to find what benefits it can provide when used in crisis communication plans.

What other leadership roles do you have and/or what else are you involved with on campus or in the local community?

I serve as president of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, vice president of Alpha Lambda Delta, public relations director of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association, and am also a member of Sycamore Ambassadors. I mentor and tutor 7th grade students through a program called PACE that I started last year with the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. I am conducting research with a faculty mentor through the McNair Graduate Opportunity Program. I also work part-time at the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce as a support specialist, Old National Bank as a teller, and Applebee’s as a waitress. I love keeping busy!

What was your favorite Honors class so far, and why?

Communicating about Health was my favorite honors class. I didn’t realize how complex healthcare interactions were so it was very neat to dig into this topic. I also learned about how I can get the most out of my interaction with a doctor. It was a very well-rounded class with tons of examples to help make sense of the information.

What do you like most about being an Honors student?

I love the types of classes offered to honors students. Each semester, there is a fresh set of topics that are extremely interesting and unique. These classes are much different than regular classes because the professors allow students to discuss ideas with each other so we can all learn together.

What advice do you have for first-year Honors students about easing the transition from home to ISU?

It’s always helpful to remember that college is only 4 short years of your life. Make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to experience life away from home. You will make so many new friends through the Honors program which really makes the process much easier! Also, don’t forget to take advantage of your Honors Peer Advisor. That is what they are there for!

What advice do you have for first-year Honors students about time management?

Your first year on campus is your trial and error period. Experiment with a good mix of regular classes, honors classes, and organizational involvement. If anything is not working for you, switch it up the next semester and try something new. It is nice because each semester is a new start.

What advice do you have for first-year Honors students about dealing with stress?

There are several ways to deal with stress. My personal favorite is spending some time in the Student Rec Center. They offer lots of fun classes like Zumba and Cycling to help take your mind off of school and relieve stress. We also have a Counseling Center. It is always nice to have someone to talk to that is unbiased and is a good listener. This is the perfect place to get some help! If you would rather talk to a peer, utilize your Honors Peer Advisor! They have been in your shoes before and would love to help you out.

What other general advice do you have for first-year Honors students?

The best choice I made as a first-year student was to be as involved on campus as possible. It is nice to see what Indiana State has to offer early on so as you move through college, you can take full advantage of the opportunities. Also, it is so important to prioritize Honors because the more you are involved in the program, the more benefits you reap. You want to leave ISU confident that you received the most out of your time here as possible.