Lourdes Kalusha-Aguirre knew from a young age that she wanted to make movies. With her Film & Media Studies major and Journalism minor, the…
Discover what’s growing at KU’s Community Garden
Long before COVID reared its ugly head, many Lawrence and KU community members were struggling to access nutritious food on a regular basis. As…
Nikki Brown explores civic engagement in the Latinx community
Nikki Brown discovered her passion for politics, cross-cultural sociology, and pop culture through an American Identities class during her freshman year. Now a junior…
Sam Glaser seeks to better understand coronavirus protein
Sam Glaser wanted to chart his own course at KU. As a student in the College, he was able to do just that by creating his own major. Recognizing the need for a pre-medicine-specific concentration within the physics B.S. program, Sam reached out to program directors across the country and began mapping out a plan for the new concentration area.
In the College, Sam has kept a busy schedule with hands-on research projects as well. During the Summer of 2019, he worked in a pulmonary immunology lab, where he gained exposure to medical research. Soon after, he joined another research lab which was a coronavirus virology lab. And in Fall 2020, he was selected as one of eight KU students to receive an Undergraduate Research Award.
Meet Sam and learn more about how he created his own major, the most valuable parts of his experience, and the KU College mentors who helped him along the way.
15 KU College moments from an extraordinary year
2020 has been — well, take your pick of adjective: Difficult. Uncertain. Unpredictable. Unprecedented. Challenging. By now, we’ve all heard and used these words…
Mason Hussong’s love of languages leads to adventures around the world
Mason Hussong’s passion for language goes back to high school, where he spent four years studying Latin. After learning about KU’s nationally renowned Slavic…
Abigail Vegter investigates religion, politics and gun ownership in America
Religion and politics in America can be messy, divisive, and contentious, certainly. But, as Abigail Vegter points out, the topics are anything but boring.…
Alex Pang seeks to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education
From the day of his college visit in 2017, Alex Pang knew he wanted to be a Jayhawk. “I wanted to attend a university…
Myra Dotzel uses lessons in visual art to solve problems in STEM
There’s a common stereotype that those who are creatively gifted are naturally bound to pursue arts and the humanities, while students skilled in math…
Camila Ordóñez Vargas launches campaign to support Colombian community during the pandemic
When Camila Ordóñez Vargas, a political science and economics double-major, traveled to spend spring break with her family in her home country of Colombia,…
Jayhawks flock to Iowa ahead of 2020 caucuses
Two months before the spread of COVID-19 became the center of collective national attention in the U.S., political rivals across the ideological spectrum journeyed…
Strength in numbers: KU community joins forces to limit coronavirus’ spread
Everywhere you look, Jayhawks are coming together and rising to today’s challenges. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is felt across the U.S.…
College senior Sara Carlsen reflects on social media research, internships, and possibilities at KU
Where do you turn for inspiration? Sometimes taking a look back at where you were a few years ago and the progress you’ve made…
NSF grant helps first-year PhD student research low-income communities and nonprofits
In the School of Public Affairs and Administration, students from every background are shaped into exceptional leaders for public service who provide solutions to…
Non-profit internship takes Aristote G-Atata from Lawrence to Tokyo
An internship can help you build professional skills and apply lessons you’ve learned as a student outside of the classroom, and even around the…
Daphne Lin finds connections between healthcare and humanities
From the time KU senior Daphne Lin arrived on the Hill, she had med school in mind. As any medical professional is sure to…
Lights, camera, action: Ishan Parikh releases his third feature film ‘Ego’
Steven Spielberg released his first full-length film at the age of 25. Hitchcock made his debut at 26. Ishan Parikh, a film & media…
Top 10 #HeartofKU stories of 2019
As the first month of 2020 comes to an end, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite KU stories of 2019.…
Lilah Wilder goes to Washington as a Department of State intern
If you’ve been keeping up with headlines, you’ve probably noticed that stories involving diplomacy have been dominating the news cycle recently. As a Public…
Mitch Lightfoot: on the court and in the College
Student athlete. Kansas Jayhawk. Econ major. With hometown roots in Kansas City, Missouri, senior Mitch Lightfoot was a KU fan long before he began his…
Rachel Smith meets the beetles (of South America)
Rachel Smith is fascinated by the beetles. Water beetles, to be exact. As a biology major with an emphasis on ecology, evolution, and organismal…
Alex Murray & Elizabeth Sundahl: For the love of bees
You’ve probably heard about the recent boost in popularity for the KU Beekeeping Club (KUBC), who signed up nearly 300 Jayhawks at this fall’s…
Avary Kolasinski applies variational mesh adaptation to improve solution approximations
The opportunities and applications that can stem from subjects like Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing seem to be endless in a world where technology…
Poetry assignment reminds Fengxue Zhang of her childhood in China, helps her find home in the College
Fengxue Zhang, a junior from Hays, is studying economics, political science, and creative writing. After moving to the United States from China as a…
Courtland Triplett seeks to do good through government
Growing up in Kansas City, Courtland Triplett always knew he wanted to bring positive change to the world but struggled to find the right…
An Sasala expands the way humans conceptualize bodies in relation to technology
How are social norms about gender and sexuality perpetuated through portrayals of robots and other digital entities in sci-fi storytelling? What can these treatments…
Pegah Naemi examines critical multiculturalism and its influence on social justice
Hometown: Santa Monica, CA What are your research interests and why did you choose them? Was there a moment when you decided this is…
Finding a creative outlet led Trevor Bashaw to KU’s Department of English
Trevor Bashaw has found an outlet for his creativity in KU’s Department of English. He’s the winner of the Spencer Museum Brosseau Creativity Award…
Aroog Khaliq examines human nature through writing, psychology, and medicine
Where are you from? And why did you decide to come to KU? My hometown is Overland Park, KS. I really ended up at…
Sarah Wright: Depth of Field
Where are you from? And why did you decide to come to KU? I’m from Overland Park, Kansas. I decided to come to KU…
Nathan Bowman: Taking center stage
Program of study and year: 3rd year Ph.D. Student in Theatre Hometown: Kansas City, MO What are your research interests and why did you…
Ben Clark goes to bat for the Kansas City T-Bones as a Social Media and PR intern
Hometown: Tonganoxie, Kansas Major(s) / Minor(s): Communication Studies / Journalism Internship title and organization: Social Media and PR intern for the Kansas City…
Aaron Carrillo finds his passion in the Heart of KU and explores Asia through two internships
Preferred Name: Everyone calls me A-A-Ron, but Aaron works too! Major(s) & Minor(s): I’m not going to lie, I’ve been jumping around in the…
The world is your canvas: Van Go intern gives back through community art
Hometown: Fairway, Ks Majors and minor: Psychology and Strategic Communications, Spanish (minor) Internship title and organization: volunteer, Van Go What were your responsibilities…
Evin Smith interns in India
Hometown: Tribune, Kansas Majors: Finance and Economics Internship title and organization: Research intern at the Center for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) What were your…
Tyan Fairbank, biologist and social media guru
Major: B.S. biology (Molecular, Cellular and Develeopmental Biology), pre-med track What would you tell your freshman self? I transferred to KU sophomore year and…
Liberal arts & sciences at work: Elizabeth Orr
Hometown: Westwood, KS Majors: Global & international studies and French, minor in economics Internship title and organization: Events Intern at the International Relations Council What were your responsibilities during your internship? I…
Ella Richards, a Jayhawk dedicated to helping people
Majors: Women, gender and sexuality studies major and psychology, business and human sexuality minors. Hometown: Topeka, Kansas What has been your favorite class at KU? And…
Kathleen Meeds interns in Eutin, Germany
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska Majors: English major with German and journalism minors Why did you choose your majors/minors? I’ve always really enjoyed English and German, and I figured…
Cody Boston mixes film major with DJing
Recent KU film and media studies grad Cody Boston found his home and purpose at KJHK, KU’s student-run radio station. As KJHK’s Multimedia Director,…
McKenzie Cory, scientist, artist & zoo intern
Combining classes in photography, sign language, biology & anthropology, junior McKenzie Cory takes full advantage of all the variety the College and KU has to…
Rebecca Rumptz interns at Department of State
A career in the US army sparked Rebecca Rumptz’s passion for international diplomacy. A desire to learn more led her to KU.
Carson Vickroy, the World’s Fastest Weatherman
“Take advantage of all the opportunities that you have, while you can.” That’s the advice of self-proclaimed “weather nerd” and aspiring broadcast meteorologist Carson…
Savannah Pine broadens horizons
Savannah Pine lives and breathes history. It’s a passion that has directed her days since she arrived at KU, and she dreams of working…
Trent Allen interns in Washington D.C.
Hometown: Beloit, Kansas Majors: Political Science & Economics Internship title and company: Office of Postsecondary Education Intern, United States Department of Education What are your responsibilities? I…
Insia Zufer takes passions from classroom to community
Ask Insia Zufer why she studies biology, and she’ll give you an answer that extends far beyond a passion for fieldwork. By exploring how and why…
Home court advantage: KU hosts National Debate Tournament for the first time, makes history
While KU basketball’s quest for the National Championship grabbed our attention during March, another heated tournament with an equally illustrious KU history took place…
October Davis learns for her students
October Davis loves teaching history. It’s her career calling. So when she arrived at KU, she enrolled in the School of Education and began developing…
Meet the CLAS of 2017: Social Sciences
These graduating Jayhawks are fascinated by the way the world works. From the individual, to the local, to social media, to crises across the…
Meet the CLAS of 2017: Arts
Our arts graduates pursue their passions with heart and intent. As they created, they developed useful skills and knowledge, and career paths emerged before…
Meet the CLAS of 2017: Sciences
Our graduates are not only scientists but leaders in the lab, classroom and across the campus. Some found their passions early in life, while…
Meet the CLAS of 2017: Humanities
Our humanities graduates push boundaries, driven by the conviction that anything is possible. They look to the past to understand different ways of living,…
Prescription for success
Do you ever feel that you have too many interests to choose just one major? The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences has a…
8 KU discoveries illuminate hot topics
Across the humanities, sciences and the arts in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, there are inspiring faculty and students busy helping us…
Video production club revived by film student
Wanting to provide film students with the opportunity to collaborate and gain experience on film projects, an ambitious and talented film and media studies…
A Self-Published Success: Sophomore author turns her exoduster roots into a novel
What started as a high school project turned into five years of work and a self-published novel that’s already in its second printing. Crystal…
15 #BestofKU moments from 2015
Looking back, it’s amazing to see what our students, professors and alumni have accomplished in the past year. They made ground-breaking discoveries, received national…
Driver’s License to Degree: CLAS celebrates 16-year-old graduate
2015 was a big year for Alina Zheng; in the same year that she celebrated her sweet 16, she also earned a bachelor’s degree…
Beyond the Coffee Run: An Internship for Change
As an intern, Melissa Fontana wasn’t making coffee; she was making a difference. Using the interpersonal and communication skills she learned in her classes,…
6 things #KUresearch discovered in summer 2015
Taking a break from the classroom, many of our talented faculty and students were hard at work this summer digging into their research –…