Rachel McKay, '19

As a child, Rachel McKay's passion for nature and the outdoors led her to become a certified Junior Ranger in ten national parks across the U.S. 

Now that she's a senior in college, Rachel hasn't lost that passion. In fact, she puts her knowledge and skills to good use as an education assistant in Marian University's Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab.

Her efforts were recognized with a 2018 Excellence in Summer Service Education Award, a $1,000 award provided courtesy of the Summer Youth Program Fund.

In fact, she was one of 15 students from Marian's Klipsch Educators College who traveled to South Korea this summer to explore that nation's educational system and culture.

"Traveling to South Korea was a very enlightening experience. I met and talked with faculty and administrators in South Korean schools. I sat in their classrooms and observed their teaching and instructional methods. I learned that South Korea has one of the world's best educational systems. But, on the flip side, they have a very high rate of teen suicide. One of the most important insights I gained was about balance between educational achievement and childhood development. In the United States, we emphasize the importance of education, but children have more time to be creative, have fun, and be children," reports McKay.

She says study abroad opportunities teach college students there is more to the world than their own social systems. "Studying abroad teaches acceptance and understanding of other cultures as well as the opportunity to view one’s own culture with a new perspective."

McKay's advice for choosing a college? "I think it's important to go with your gut. Choose the school that's right for you, wherever you are right now. Look for a campus where you'll get a great education AND offers programs that meet your spiritual, emotional, physical, and other needs. If your needs or goals change, then change schools."

Since transferring to Marian, McKay says she has found a community that's always here for her. "Between my friends, classmates, and professors, I've learned when to ask for help, which has made me more academically successful and less stressed than I was at my previous school."

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education