My Journey

The biggest blessing SIUE has brought me is amazing friends. I can definitely credit this to the CODES program because my closest friends I met through them. I’ve met people with similar life experiences to me and similar values. This has meant a lot to me because I haven’t met many genuine people who I can be myself around. It is motivating to wake up knowing that you have people in your corner who support you and want you to become that best version of yourself.

My friends on a CODES field trip to JJKFAN.

I also really value the CODES program as a whole as they have provided me with so many resources, even in this first semester. Although this program is very new and challenging, it is teaching me to be a better student and person all together. We work to be selfless and consider community which I am glad we are able to show through our research.