Mikayla Martin ’23 is all about helping people, and her majors in applied psychology and human relations reflect that. It was important to her to find the right fit when it came to her college search, and while Martin wanted to be comfortable in the university she chose, she still wanted to pioneer her future as an independent young woman. Pace ended up being that choice for her.

“Going to Pace opened up so many doors for me, both education-wise and experience-wise. I got a chance to meet so many new friends and try many new things. Pace is a great place to get a head start on my career.”

Martin, who was born in Germany to parents who were in the military, has been extremely passionate about her community and helping others for a long time. In particular, her focus has been on mental health—and what we don’t talk about, even by today’s slowly changing standards. “There’s a lot of stigma around mental health,” Martin explained, and it’s ultimately why she chose the courses she has. “My main motivator for my major was mental health in the Black and person of color community. In these communities, mental health is often overlooked, and people tend to not get the help they want and/or need. No matter which route I decide to take for my career, I will always circle back to this underlying cause and try my hardest to make a difference in this community.”

And Martin is always looking for ways to make a difference. She’s participated in the annual Pace Makes a Difference Day where students, faculty, and staff lend a helping hand in the local community by volunteering their time, and it was an experience that had a profound effect on her. “I volunteered at GiGi’s Playhouse and got to spend the day with children [who] had Down syndrome. It was easily one of the best days of my life.” Martin said the experience even inspired her to look into becoming a licensed behavior analyst. “It holds a special meaning to me, as I also have a family member [who] has autism. I plan on using my degree—and license—to broaden my horizons and help as many people as possible.”

“My main motivator for my major was mental health in the Black and person of color community. In these communities, mental health is often overlooked, and people tend to not get the help they want and/or need.”

That level of dedication to helping her community earned Martin the distinguished honor of being named a 2020 Millennium Fellow along with a select group of her Pace peers. “I have always wanted to start a program or host an event that could help those in my community, but I never got the opportunity to do so,” she explained. “To be able to work with others to help people on such a large scale is an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I’m excited for what comes next!”

In the meantime, Martin has kept busy with her studies and even a position as a patient care assistant at Cooper University Hospital. There, she volunteered her time in the intensive care unit. “[The ICU] sounds really intimidating, but working there, you realize it’s not that bad,” Martin told us. “Before my first day, I was extremely nervous because I thought it was going to be hectic and very fast-paced—almost like [an] emergency room. However, it’s very calm and everybody is very kind and relaxed, including the patients.”

At first, Martin wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a nurse, but that job working in the ICU changed her mind. “While volunteering and observing the doctors and nurses doing their jobs, I began to realize I was more intrigued in their stories,” she explained. “I wanted to know how they ended up there, how it changed them as a person, and what they planned to do in the future.”

We know that natural curiosity and profound caring for others will only help Martin in her journey toward a fulfilling career.

A podcast setting out to define what love feels like. Made by and for college students.

That’s the opening pitch for DefLove, the new podcast by Abi Shorter ’24, an acting, film TV, voice-overs, and commercials (FTVC) major. As the host and founder, she’s got her hands full—but that’s exactly how she likes it. “I’ve been itching to make something for months. I constantly have to be creating or I’ll burst,” she told us.

Initially, she had quite a few projects planned, but COVID-19 forced everything to a screeching halt. “I’m tired of grieving,” Shorter said of the temporarily shelved works. She needed a new creative venture, and it was a talk with a friend that sparked her idea for the podcast. “Neither of us really knew what love was,” Shorter explained. “I had my idea of it—I was in love at the time actually—but it’s not the sort of thing you can receive confirmation on. It’s somehow different from that crush feeling, but how do you know when you’ve reached it? Can you?”

From there, she planned to start the podcast off with two stories from her own personal experiences with love. The script turned into a “forty-page monster” in only a few nights. Talk about motivation! “I took inspiration from the podcast Alice Isn’t Dead with the narrator structure, mushed a few separate events together, and approached my roommates with the text,” Shorter told us. (They’re acting majors. Very helpful.) They recorded everything on their phones as voice memos, and after editing it all in one five-hour sitting—geez!—the podcast was ready to be launched. “It truly is a passion project,” she said.

It’s that level of passion and dedication to the craft that truly elevates Shorter’s work. But then, she’s always been fueled by her creativity. “I love telling stories in ways that hit someone in the face,” Shorter told us. While she had plenty of experience in the theater, having put up a play she wrote herself, ultimately, she chose to pursue film instead. “There’s a humanity to acting for film because it’s mimicking reality. I’m fascinated in the real because that’s where stories happen.”

“I love telling stories in ways that hit someone in the face,” says Shorter.

She took her time choosing a college once she knew what she’d be majoring in. It was a decision that happened fairly quickly thanks to her experience during the process. “Other schools just emailed me to check my portal,” Shorter told us. “By the time their program head actually reached out to me, I’d had a Zoom call with [Pace] FTVC students and realized it was where I wanted to be.” She emphasized how “chill” everyone seemed even in those initial virtual meetups, which was another big selling point for her. “I came from a program where the air in the room would change every time the program head walked in, so it’s nice to feel like our instructors are actual people and not god-like entities in stiff button-downs.”

So, what’s next for the DefLove podcast? “I don’t really have an end goal in mind,” she said. “I just give my all to little projects like this because it’s where I find my life. If the podcast makes even one person happy and believe in their ability to love just a bit more, then it will have achieved its purpose.” We’re excited to see where it goes from here! If you’re interested in getting involved in DefLove, whether to share your own story or lend your voice acting talents, please email Shorter or DM the podcast Instagram account.

Cristina Rosario Pérez ’23 is a first-year international student eyeing marketing as a major, and she traveled from Puerto Rico to come to Pace. “I had always wanted to study in the US, but it seemed [like] a really far away dream,” she told us. Pérez was facing more obstacles than most; Hurricane Maria made landfall in September 2017, and it is now considered to be the worst natural disaster to affect her home in recorded history. “I had no electricity and no water for months after [the storm] hit, and I was scared about my future.” She dedicated herself to helping her community rebuild, temporarily shelving her hopes of pursuing higher education in the States.

And yet, her dream didn’t end there. “I want to say that after a hurricane literally comes a rainbow,” Pérez said. She was offered a scholarship to study in California for her senior year of high school. Everything began to fall into place, and with her parents’ enthusiastic support, she began to tour a variety of colleges in hopes of finding the perfect fit—and in particular, the perfect team.

“I felt such a strong connection with the people from Pace,” Pérez explained, having visited for one of the Pleasantville Campus tours. “I told my parents that I had an amazing experience and that I loved the swimming team [...]. Everyone was so [eager] to help me, especially the swimming coach, Alexis Chocianowski.”

Chocianowski ’15, who was named head swimming and diving coach last year, started out as a student-athlete at Pace too before moving up the ranks. Her passion for the sport is clear in her dedication to the team, a trait Pérez indubitably shares—and that passion began very early for her. “I started swimming when I was five years old,” she said.

Motivated by her desire to one day receive a college scholarship, Pérez trained vigorously until she earned her spot on Pace’s swimming and diving team. But what motivates her now that she has achieved the goal that once seemed impossible to reach? “Representing [my team] with as much pride as I can,” she told us. The most important thing to Pérez is “giving my best at practices so I can give my best to the team.”

For all she’s already accomplished, though, Pérez has laid out a number of goals for her time here at Pace. Not only does she want to train harder, she has her eye on even more leadership opportunities. “I will work hard to become a Residential Assistant (RA) for my sophomore year,” she explained, going on to add that, “I [want to] earn as much knowledge as I can to prepare myself for [a] career.” Being an RA is a great way to develop the skills necessary to become an excellent communicator, as well as an organized manager.

“I love meeting people from all around the world,” she enthused, another important trait for any would-be RA to possess. Combined with Pérez’s infinite passion and dedication as a student-athlete, we’re certain she will go on to hold many leadership positions here at Pace—and beyond.

“My main goal has always been to shed light on the injustices that Black people and people of color face constantly, while also working towards finding solutions,” says Pleasantville Political Science major Kimberly Mars ’23. Her podcast, The Root with Kim, focuses on her experience as a Black woman in America and serves as a platform to highlight and explore inequalities in the world around us.

“My podcast is open to people from all walks of life,” she says. “And I hope that after listening they will be more educated, have more of an open mind, and are more comfortable with having discussions about race and diversity within their communities.”

Kimberly got the idea for a podcast almost a year before she produced her first episode after realizing that the topics she talked about on her Snapchat really resonated with viewers. That realization combined with watching her favorite Black creators on YouTube develop a platform for themselves inspired her to get started. “Podcasting seemed like the natural next step and was as great way for more people to have access to my thoughts longer than 24 hours,” says Kimberly, referring to Snapchat’s ephemeral nature.

“My favorite episode to record, so far, has been ‘Protecting Black Women.’ I recorded it back in June right after it was reported that Megan Thee Stallion had been shot. People, mainly men, on social media reacted to her injuries by making fun of her and it was heartbreaking to see,” Kimberly says. “I wanted to use my platform to show people that Black women are one of the most disrespected groups in the world and that we deserve just as much respect that everyone else gets, including men.” In the episode, Kimberly laid out several examples of how Black women, especially those in the entertainment industry, have been mocked by society while still being on the frontlines leading major movements.

Kimberly’s has had a passion for advocacy for as long as she can remember and attributes that passion in large part to her family, who taught her to treat others fairly and to use her voice to stand up for what’s right. During Summer 2020, as support for the Black Lives Matter movement gained steam across the nation, Kimberly attended her first protest and spent the rest of her summer raising awareness on her podcast about the many Black lives that have been lost due to police brutality, working to educate her community about white privilege, and how to stand in solidarity with people of color.

Here at Pace, Kimberly’s the secretary for Pleasantville’s Black Student Union where she’s worked with their Executive Board to organize rallies on campus, lead group discussions about race and diversity at Pace, and provide a safe space for BIPOC students to talk about their experiences. “Being in BSU has been one of the best decisions that I’ve made while being at Pace because it’s refreshing to be able to feel seen while attending a predominately white institution,” she says.

In September, while back on campus, Kimberly joined Pace students and student-athletes for their march against police brutality, walking from campus to the site where Pace student and football player Danroy “DJ” Henry Jr. was shot and killed by a Pleasantville police officer in 2010. It was an emotional and affirming experience for Kimberly.

“It was the first time I had been able to see such a large amount of the student body stand up and demand the need for change and really gave me hope that my generation will be the one to bring a real change in our country,” she recalls.

Advocacy is hard work and it takes time, effort, and a level of patience that can be difficult to have, especially after the national conversation has shifted away. Kimberly’s advice for people still doing the work: keep pushing.

“The work we’re doing is important and will be remembered long after we are gone, so if you are losing faith, take a moment to think about all of the people who are grateful that we are providing a voice for them,” she says. “Being an advocate can be stressful on your mental health, so don’t forget to take a step back and take time to make sure that you are okay.”

What’s next for Kimberly? She’s going to keep producing The Root with Kim and working towards a more inclusive and diverse University community at Pace. “I am hoping that by the time I graduate that I will be able to say that I saw a version of myself represented on the Pleasantville Campus in more ways than one and that incoming students of color will never have to go searching for that.”

You might have heard the name Eden Litvin ’23 before. She’s responsible for reviving the Students Supporting Israel (SSI) chapter at Pace. It’s an international student-led movement that supports Israel as a Jewish Democratic nation-state, a very important—and personal—initiative for Eden. “I felt that Pace needed a pro-Israel club on campus,” she explained to us. “I knew it would make a big change in my life and in the Pace Community. The process of getting approved was definitely tricky, and posed a far greater challenge than expected.”

Ultimately, though, this was a rewarding experience for Eden, who went on to present to the Student Government Association (SGA) with a proposition: to officially adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism. And they did.

“When I came up with the idea for the bill, it was in response to the spike in antisemitic attacks across NYC,” Eden explained. “When the SGA chose to adopt the IHRA definition, they took a stand that Pace University will not support hate, and made a clear statement that anti-Semitism will not be tolerated on our campus. It was one of the most meaningful things I did for the Jewish and Pro-Israeli community at my University.”

The IHRA definition for anti-Semitism is as follows:

• A certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

“I would not have been able to pass the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism at Pace without the help of three amazing organizations: SSI, Hillel, and IAC Mishelanu,” Eden told us. “We look forward to having a safe space on our campus and knowing that the university stands behind our community.”

Before Eden even came to Pace, though, she moved to the US from Israel about eight years prior. “Most of my childhood I spent speaking, reading, and writing in Hebrew,” she said, emphasizing the fact that, “Israel will always remain a crucial part of my life.” When she started researching colleges, Eden knew she wanted a unique experience—something that fit exactly what she was looking for in terms of many different factors. “Pace is the perfect school for someone who wants to have access to the world, an immense range of opportunities, and feel that they are truly a part of a school and not just a number,” she told us.

Initially, she chose international management as a major. But after taking a few business classes, she knew what she wanted to switch to. “I realized that I am more interested in marketing than management,” she told us. “I chose global marketing because I know I want to work around the world and I also love learning about different cultures, so this was [the] perfect major for what I wanted.”

Wherever Eden is headed next, we know she will continue her passionate activism and incredible leadership ability. We look forward to hearing what her next initiative will be!

Maria Escobar ’22 is a women’s and gender studies and psychology double major with a minor in peace and justice studies. If that sounds like a lot, it is! But Maria is dedicated to the causes she has always felt passionate about. “Ever since I was young, I have felt a strong responsibility towards ensuring justice, especially in terms of gender equality,” she told us. And it would seem she made the right call to take on so many different subjects. “Three years later, I can say that every course I take for my major reaffirms the fact that I made the right decision.”

Initially, there were several colleges that Maria was considering. But it was a visit to the campus on accepted students day as an early decision applicant that really solidified her choice. “I had this feeling that Pace was the right college for me,” she said, noting that the location in particular had a lot to do with her decision, too. “If you take advantage of this, you can make so many connections for your future career and land internships as early as your freshman year.”

She landed her own internship during her sophomore year with Sanctuary for Families, which is a leading nonprofit service provider for survivors of sex trafficking, domestic violence, and gender-based violence in New York. “The main aspect of my internship revolved around doing research on the Nordic Model, a legal framework to partially decriminalize prostitution. I had never heard of it before and it remains one of the lesser known frameworks despite being adopted in seven countries around the world,” Maria explained. “[It was] my dream internship. It inspired me to pursue a career in law working with survivors of gender-based violence.”

Maria’s interest and potential in this area was definitely noticed. Her manager from Sanctuary For Families suggested she attend the World Without Exploitation annual youth summit, which took place over the summer. “[It’s a] two-day event that focused on educating youth on commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking,” Maria explained.

Along with ten of her cohorts, she went on to help form the World Without Exploitation National Youth Coalition, a network of young people who are dedicated to ending exploitation through advocacy, awareness, and education. Their mission statement is a powerful one, and admirable from passionate students:

“The fight to create a world where no one is bought, sold, or exploited is a fight for the future—and creating an exploitation-free future is what the World Without Exploitation Youth Coalition is all about. Our new, national, youth-led network—made up of young people, ages 15 to 28—is using advocacy, educational, and awareness raising initiatives to create change while supporting a culture of inclusion and diversity. Young survivor leaders, students, professionals, activists, artists and allies are all encouraged to be a part of our efforts.”

“I am very proud of this venture and [I’m] so happy I am part of its development as its director of social media,” she went on to explain. Check out Maria’s work on Instagram!

Of course, the important work is never finished. Maria is currently presenting at the 2021 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women along with two other council members of the coalition. “[We will] discuss our movement as part of an event called ‘Girls Fighting Human Trafficking,’” Maria told us. We wish her luck on another incredible endeavor!

It all started when Jaeda Blackman ’22 spotted an ad for College Board’s “Pledge Your Collegiance” competition, which promised a $5,000 scholarship to the best college reveal post of any incoming first-year student. “I wanted to do something a little different to represent my transition from Hewlett High School to Pace,” she said. And College Board took notice.

Shortly after Blackman posted her now Insta-famous video, College Board tweeted: “Even if your ‘I’m going to #college’ dance isn’t quite on this level, you can still pledge your #Collegiance and be entered to win $$$.” She was named a finalist and even took home a cash prize for her hard work.

The routine was actually a family affair—literally. Her mom, two aunts, and close family friends all got involved when she needed backup. “We all love to dance. It’s in our blood,” Blackman explained. She’s been assisting her mom who teaches dance at a local fitness center for a while now, and she even runs a class herself. “When I turn 18, I plan to get certified to teach dance. I am sometimes booked to perform at events, and I teach dance to elementary students every Thursday.”

Pace’s School of Education would seem like the perfect fit, then, considering her background. Blackman admitted that, “My passion for helping people first led me to wanting to become a teacher,” but after careful consideration of all her skills (of which there are many), she decided on a slightly different career path: school guidance counselor. “I believe counseling fits me better because as a school counselor, I can connect with students on a deeper and more effective level. Therefore, I want to begin studying the foundations of human behavior.”

That doesn’t mean Blackman plans to give up dance altogether. With an extensive background in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and African dance, she’s had her sights set on joining all the dance-related clubs Pace has to offer. Not only that, she plans to start her own team, too! “[It’s] inspired by my Caribbean culture,” Blackman told us. “The class would be called ‘Afro Soca’ dance, and based on all the feedback I received from current Pace students on my ‘Pledge Your Collegiance’ video, I think everyone would enjoy it!” She’s been dancing in the Labor Day Carnival Parade (also known as the West Indian Day Parade) that lights up Brooklyn every year, and she’s eager to bring that energy to Pace.

It’s obvious that Blackman is one seriously ambitious individual. But just what, exactly, keeps her motivated? “I always remind myself that to get where I want to be, I have to work hard and not give up,” she said, citing her mom in particular as a strong, positive influence. “She’s there every step of the way to keep me on track.”

We’re so excited to see where Blackman’s time at Pace will take her! Join us in welcoming her to the Pleasantville Campus this fall.

Angelina Prevete ’22 is a student who defines campus involvement. She’s currently pursuing the BBA/MBA Public Accounting combined degree program, works as an associate for the student-run business Pace Fit, and has helped launch and run a number of conferences and volunteer opportunities, all while participating in programs at Deloitte and Marks Paneth, and most recently, interning at Estée Lauder. Talk about ambition!

Initially, though, Prevete had her mind set on one day becoming a pediatrics doctor. “I loved helping children and science had been something that I really had a passion all throughout high school,” she explained. However, as graduation loomed, Prevete realized science had always been more of a hobby for her, not a career path. “The other thing that I really enjoyed was numbers—specifically math.” She proceeded to research all the majors that fell into this subject area, and discovered accounting. “I knew that I wanted to get the most of my time here at Pace, and the five-year program seemed like a sure way to do that.”

And she certainly has. For the past two years, Prevete has been planning conferences at Pace including the Women’s Leadership Conference to the Fall Leadership Conference—two very popular events on the Pleasantville Campus. “I have always loved seeing the looks on students’ faces when they attend a conference and walk out with knowledge that will help them succeed,” Prevete explained. “The leadership conferences have shown me how important it is to foster the leader within ourselves and others, and [...] to also listen to those around us.”

It was no surprise, then, that Prevete became involved with the Setters Leadership Program. For one of her involvement projects, she coordinated with the Pace Dance Team and the JCCA Cottage House, a residential treatment center for underprivileged children. A representative had contacted Prevete’s mentor saying that a few girls were interested in learning how to dance. “I jumped at the chance to make it happen,” she told us. “I had danced for the first few years of my childhood, and it was one of the first activities that I truly fell in love with.”

She acted as a liaison between JCCA and the Pace Dance Team, working on the logistics of securing a space and ensuring a timely set-up for the lessons. “It was such a successful event that Setters Leadership Initiatives and the Center for Community Action and Research (CCAR) picked it up as something that they would like to have as a recurring event.” Prevete won the Impact Award at the Setters Leadership Program last year for her efforts.

Prevete was also involved in helping to coordinate Estée Lauder’s Influencer Workshop where they brought together different departments, brand representatives, and influencers. “I was able to sit in and take notes during the entire day of the workshop, [and] I even got to voice my opinions and ask questions,” she said. It changed her perspective. “This event showed me that not only as people, but as corporations, we are continuously trying to improve our processes and trying to be the best version possible.”

Her advice for getting involved? “Say hello to everyone! You never know which hello will turn into a conversation and which conversation will turn into an amazing opportunity. Also: go to events that excite you and talk to the faculty and staff who are running the event.” She insists there is always something to learn if you continue to put yourself out there and ask questions.

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Chloe Mayhew ’22 is pretty much unstoppable. From vice president of the Lambda Sigma Honor Society to representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to delegate for the Model United Nations team, she’s always looking ahead—and she says it comes from her parents. “I am a first-generation student within my immediate family, and every day I wake up thankful for the fact that I am attending an incredible four-year university, studying a field that I am very passionate about,” Chloe told us.

Initially, she was recruited by Kayte Kinsley, assistant athletics director and head field hockey coach, to play field hockey for Pace. It was her “commitment to the team” that inspired Chloe to attend, not to mention the location. “Pleasantville is just a short train ride away from New York City,” Chloe explained to us. “[It’s] a land of opportunity for professions in international relations.”

Joining the Pace field hockey team ended up being a perfect fit. “I have never before been a part of such a unique group of talented young women who share a passion for hard work, dedication, and loyalty to the team’s success,” Chloe said. “Our program is very young, as Pace Field Hockey played their very first season just 2015, and we have already achieved so much in such a short period of time, including a trip to the 2018 DII National Championships Festival during my freshman season.”

And travel is something Chloe has been doing long before she came to Pace. In high school, she participated in the People to People Student Ambassador Program, which offers one-of-a-kind travel opportunities to students. “From living with an Italian family in La Spezia, to making paella with professional chefs in Barcelona, this experience opened my eyes to this amazing world around me,” Chloe told us. It was what ultimately inspired her to major in global studies. “I became obsessed with learning about and comparing the different regions of the world, understanding the values of individual cultures, and comparing them to my own.”

That determination and deep respect for global affairs caught the eye of the Millennium Fellow committee last year, a prestigious honor of which Chloe was recognized. “It is truly a privilege to work alongside such motivated, like-minded, and kind-hearted intellectuals from across the globe that make up our Class of 2020,” she enthused. “I have every intention to make the most of this wonderful opportunity before me.”

We’re excited to hear more about Chloe’s many future successes as she completes her degree here at Pace. And she’s certainly keeping busy! Chloe recounted her 2020 New Years with us, which she celebrated on another continent. “I was visiting one of my teammates, Grace Henderson, who is a goalie on the Pace Field Hockey team,” she explained. “Over winter break, a few of my teammates and I took a trip to Australia where we met up with Grace and some of her local friends, and together we rented a 12-seater van and did the Great Ocean Road trip across Southern Australia.”

Biology and health science major Lara Ellentuck ’22 has been an animal lover from a very young age. “Growing up, I always had at least two pets by my side,” she told us. “This led me to discover a deep connection and motivation toward helping all animal species.”

It seemed only natural that she would come to launch the Pre-Veterinary Club at Pace, an organization dedicated to promoting veterinary medicine and creating a space where students can share their love of animals. “[We] provide members with opportunities in the veterinary medical profession,” she went on to explain. Most recently, they rolled out all new ways to get involved like discussions, workshops, trivia, and more.

Lara’s definitely qualified for this work, too. She’s interned at a local animal hospital as a veterinary assistant, an experience that left a profound effect on her. “[It] allowed me to get a glimpse of my future career,” she explained. “One day, I hope to teach students as my mentors taught me—with an open heart and an open mind to learning respect for every animal.” She’s looking forward to gaining even more clinical experience by volunteering and interning at local animal shelters and hospitals as well, even if COVID-19 put a brief hold on her plans.

“Since the pandemic started at the end of my sophomore year, all of my internship plans fell through,” Lara said. But she’s keeping her options open. “Currently, I am still searching for opportunities to gain experience with animals.” We know that she’ll land exactly what she wants!

In the meantime, Lara is working in the Pace mailroom as an assistant. Before that, she was a research assistant for the College of Health Professions—all big jobs when you’re also juggling classes and assignments, not to mention running a brand new student organization. It’s a lot of work for one person, but Lara is nothing if not incredibly driven and positive when it comes to what she wants.

After completing her undergraduate degree next year, Lara told us she plans on taking a gap year before heading off to attain the veterinary school requirement of 500 hours. “I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason,” she told us. “I hope that this gap year will allow me to work in the veterinary industry and grow to love my passion even more.”

We’re excited to follow Lara’s career and work in advocating for animal welfare! Be sure to check out all the latest events and opportunities from the Pre-Veterinary Club this month. All majors are welcome—the only requirement is that you have a love and respect for animals. The team is also on Instagram, Facebook, SetterSync, and their very own website. Give them a follow!