Major Insight

After seeing how the pressures of ballet dancing affected the mental health of many close friends, Kristina Miljkovic '22 became interested in psychology. Today, psychology continues to influence her work with the Research on Eating Disorders and Suicidality Lab (REDS), and she's added a public health degree to help even more people live healthier, happier lives. On this episode, Kristina also tal...

Music performance and zoology define two different sides of James Lukenda '23. He is not only studying animals in an academic setting, he's also the first violin in the Miami University Symphony Orchestra . James is also highly active on campus as the VP of the Miami University Audubon Bird-Watchers Society , and on this episode, hear how his different interests work together in surprising ways, h...

Molly Ferguson '23 discovered her passion for nursing early on. When a memorable experience at a young age showed her the difference a caring and compassionate nurse can make, she knew she wanted to have that same impact on patients and families one day. On this episode, Molly also talks about balancing her major with student organizations, and about how rewarding it can be to find a career dedica...

Startup entrepreneurship is an area that Blake Faulkner '23 knows well. As a junior, Blake is already working on scaling up his own venture-backed startup called Bloxsmith -- a Web 3.0 company that provides an innovative marketplace for metaverse game developers. Blake is also highly involved in Miami's student-led venture capital fund, Redhawk Ventures . And on this episode, he talks about the ro...

Teaching is almost a family tradition for Olivia Casey '22. As a Middle Childhood Education major, Olivia is preparing to teach math and social studies and she's part of the Urban Cohort , where she collaborates with high-needs local schools. She is also all about studying abroad, and became passionate about traveling after visiting MUDEC , Miami's campus in Luxembourg. On this episode, she also t...

Emily Coyne is already a successful YouTuber, entrepreneur, and influencer who runs the popular lifestyle, fashion and digital media company, emilyOandbows . At Miami, Emily is also an Emerging Technology in Business + Design major, which is providing the graphic design, social media marketing, and business skills to take her company to the next level. When she's not sharing parts of her life one...

As an architecture major, Julie Bohlen '22 is passionate about community-focused projects that champion sustainable designs. Her work recently earned her 1st place in the 2021 American Institute of Architects Ohio Student Design Awards for her project called "Eviction to Empowerment: Shared Housing in Milwaukee's Inner City." Julia is also a member of the Miami University Botanical Society, and sh...

As a first-generation student, Clinton Ransom '22 came to college with a background that was different from many of those he would meet on campus. But that didn't stop him from pursing his interests in business and finance. After an internship at Rocket Mortgage landed him a job at the Chicago real estate firm Marcus & Millichap, Clinton knew that sales was the right career choice for him. On this...

Mary Culp '21 has deep convictions about making education accessible for all learners, and she is well on her way to becoming a special education teacher. In this episode, Mary talks about discovering her passion for teaching, the joys of working with students, her work with trauma-informed schooling practices, and the power of "learning by doing."   We'll also talk about adjusting to college life...

Data is completely transforming the way we watch and play sports, and Caroline Brega is interested in how this "analytics revolution" connects her knowledge of business and her passion for sport. Outside the classroom, Caroline has worked with the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of Miami University's inaugural Sport Analytics Summer Academy, and she was selected by Major League Baseball to be a part...

Annie David '22 is always searching for ways to combine creativity and analytics. As a senior studying marketing and business, Annie is also passionate about a career in fashion and photography. She is also the Creative Director at Up Magazine, Miami University's sophisticated student-run fashion & lifestyle publication, and the former VP of marketing for Advancing Women in Entrepreneurship. On th...

Imagine smart prosthetics that anticipate and respond to the user. Unlocking the secrets of human balance inside virtual worlds. Or combining computer programing with genetic engineering. It may sound like science fiction. But it's all part of the college experience for Gabe Lenneman '22. As a senior studying Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics, Gabe also competes on the waterski team and pl...

College is always a time of growth, transition, and change. As podcast host Peter Everett '21 prepares for life after graduation, this episode also marks a chance to welcome Jason Meggyesy '22 as the new host of Major Insight. Jason is interested in using a variety of media and communications platforms to build and strengthen connections with people. And on this episode, he also speaks about overc...

After a career-ending injury derailed her plans to play college soccer, Grace Chaney used the experience as an opportunity to find her true passions in biomechanics, orthopedics, and medicine. As a kinesiology and premed double major, Grace has served as an undergraduate fellow at the Mayo Clinic, and her award-winning research has already helped busy people find new ways to squeeze in effective w...

As an artist and educator, Lucy Osborne '22 is always excited share her love of art with others. As art education and art therapy double major, Lucy uses art to enhance the development of children, as well as the well-being of older adults with alzheimer's and dementia. She's also an award-winning recipient of the Ohio Art Education Association scholarship. On this episode, she also talks about no...

Janelle Ghanem '21 has become extraordinarily adept at balancing two very different worlds. As a member of the Miami Women's tennis team, Janelle was named an All-Academic Scholar-Athlete, while also studying computer science and engineering. She has already gained experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning at the U.S. Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARP...

Olivia Ferrazza seamlessly connects her interests in nutrition, food insecurity, and environmental sustainability. But it didn't happen overnight. Olivia began college on a very different path before she learned how to put all the pieces together. As a nutrition major, and a food systems & food studies co-major, she is now the co-president of Leaders of Environmental Awareness and Protection, and...

Amitoj Kaur understands how to seize every opportunity that comes her way. As a freshman, she was appointed by the governor of Ohio to serve on Miami University's Board of Trustees, where she advocates for the student experience. Amitoj is also a first generation college student, who helps others navigate the transition into university life. And on this episode, she also talks about combining her...

As a mechanical and manufacturing engineering double major, Laura Mayer is fascinated by how things work, how they're put together, and how they can be built even better. Laura is also interested in exploring the connections between engineering and business. And on this episode, she talks about discovering her passion for engineering, her mission to get more young women interested in the field, he...

As the editor-in-chief of one of the oldest college newspapers in the country, Chris Vinel takes human interest stories to heart. Chris currently leads a dynamic staff of writers and editors, who connect local and regional events to the college experience. On this episode, he also talks about keeping a student media organization running during COVID, how journalism can open doors for a variety of...

Jackson Polish aims to help redefine the sport of hockey. As the Founder of SP Analytics, Jackson created a hockey application that makes in-depth analysis of video and in-game data to make strategic decisions during competition. On this episode, he also talks about combining his interests in sport, business, and data analytics to build a future career in the sport industry. Featured Majors: Sport...

Jannie Kamara came to college with the goal of becoming a leader. Today she is the student body president of the Associated Student Government, where she advocates for more connection and inclusion across the campus and the community. On this episode, Jannie talks about the importance of diversifying your leadership style, her research on black female civil rights leaders, and how all students can...

As a biochemistry major who combines physics and engineering to study self-healing polymers, Jafer Vakil uses chemical reactions to create materials with industrial and commercial applications. His undergraduate work has already earned him multiple publications within the field of polymer chemistry. However, this is not the college career Jafer originally envisioned for himself. On this episode, h...

The community-building efforts of Madison McGirr are aimed at helping other people thrive. As a sophomore in Miami's interdisciplinary Western Program, she is interested in education reform, reducing poverty, and the effects of gentrification. Madison's work with nonprofits such as Our Daily Bread in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as youth-based programs such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Dream Keep...

As an aspiring Chemical Engineer, with a concentration in Environmental Engineering, Emily Kuehl is using her time as a college student to make our world a cleaner, safer place to live. Her projects involve the detection of arsenic in water and soil samples, as well as research designed to remove other dangerous chemicals from drinking water. Emily is also a rock climber, trombone player, and a ma...