Honors Ambassadors

Megan Robertson

• Major: Economics, Finance, Comparative Cultural Studies
• Minor: Japanese
• Year at NAU: Sophomore
• Hometown: Glendale, Arizona

Why did I attend NAU? – I decided to attend NAU because the campus is so beautiful and being surrounded by all of the amazing sights in Flagstaff makes it even better.

Why did I choose Honors? I decided to join the Honors College because I wanted to be a part of a community that would challenge me and push me to go out of my comfort zone.

Victoria Clark

• Major(s): Biomedical Science
• Minor(s): Chemistry
• Year at NAU: Sophomore
• Hometown: Peoria, AZ

Why did I attend NAU: I attended NAU to experience a new scenery and environment with changing seasons. I have always wanted to experience the different seasons and colors of nature. NAU in Flagstaff provides a great education, as well as an amazing time adventuring outside. I also love the interactive community within Flagstaff and the people who make it so unique.

Why did I choose Honors: I chose Honors to be a part of a community that would be dedicated to education. I enjoy Honors because of the small class sizes which make it possible to build great relationships and connections with your professors. The Honors classes have allowed me to create a unique pathway with my time at NAU.

Monica Aros

• Major(s): Criminology Criminal Justice and Psychology
• Minor(s): Law Rights & Justice and Sociology
• Year at NAU: Sophomore
• Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Why did I attend NAU: I never visited NAU prior to enrolling and moving in. However, I visited several campuses throughout California but they never seemed to be the right place for me. I took a chance by coming to NAU, a campus I knew only through online videos and letters, yet I would not have chosen any differently. From the second I stepped on campus on move-in day, I knew that this would be the best place for me. Financially, NAU was the right fit. Academically, NAU was the right fit. It’s big enough to have a variety of options but small enough to not feel like just another number. After being here for more than a year, I can honestly say that the campus is beautiful and lush. I truly value the relationships I’ve made here with both students and NAU staff. I wouldn’t trade it for any other university in the world.

Why did I choose Honors: In high school, I was a straight A student taking as many honors and Advanced Placement courses as I could. By the time I saw an invitation to apply to NAU’s Honors College, I told myself I would just be a regular college student. A few weeks later I told myself I would just submit the application. When I got accepted, I decided to try it out and despite the misconceptions people have about Honors, I actually prefer them over Non-Honors courses. Now I find myself thriving in the Honors College as a Double Major and Double Minor. Honors challenges me in all the best ways and have given me the ability to grow into the proud, educated activist I am today. An Honors education is like no other and works so feasibly into even my very hectic schedule. I’ve learned so many valuable skills I use beyond Honors and I know that it will allow me to stand out in graduate school applications giving me the extra edge I need.

Safiya Hafiz

• My major is Psychological Sciences.
• I am minoring in Social Science Forensics and Sociology.
• I am currently a sophomore.
• My hometown is Phoenix, Arizona.

Why did I attend NAU: I fell in love with NAU the second I stepped into North Quad. I just had a feeling that NAU was perfect for me and so far, it has been.

Why did I choose Honors: Since I had done Honors since grade school, I was sure I didn’t want to participate in an Honors College because my experiences had been twice as much busywork for no reason. However, the Honors College at NAU is all about getting a personalized education and learning about different perspectives, which exactly how I want to get my degree.

Madison Kimball

• Majors: Psychology and Creative Media and Film
• Year at NAU: Sophomore
• Hometown: Gilbert, Arizona

Why did I attend NAU: From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt so welcomed. NAU was the perfect balance of everything I needed; close enough to home but far enough away, new change of scenery, smaller campus, and a welcoming community. Everyone on campus and around town made me feel so at home and it was an obvious choice that I needed to go to NAU.

Why did I choose Honors: I felt like honors would be a good place for me because I wanted to have a strong community of students who were dedicated, like-minded people. I felt like a smaller class size would be more beneficial because of my learning style and that I would be able to have a strong professor student relationship. The honors college had so many great benefits and so to me it was a no brainer to join the honors college.

Hannah Ginn

• Majors: Political Science
• Minor: Women and Gender Studies
• Year at NAU: Sophomore
• Hometown: Chandler, Arizona

Why did I attend NAU: I chose to attend NAU for its smaller campus size that makes me feel like I am part of a community. NAU made a genuine effort to welcome me to Flagstaff and help me feel at home while on campus. Flagstaff’s beautiful weather and environment were also significant factors in my decision.

Why did I choose Honors: I decided to join the Honors College for its personal, discussion-based curriculum that focuses on your needs as an individual student. I also loved the unique Honors courses that appealed to both my personal and academic interests. Overall, the Honors College offers so many benefits that I felt joining Honors would greatly enhance my college experience.

Rey Mendez

• Major: Biomedical Science
• Minor: Chemistry
• Year: Sophomore
• Hometown: Surprise, Arizona

Why did I attend NAU? – I decided to attend NAU because it was the perfect distance away from home, as I feel I have independence up here but I also have the opportunity to go visit my hometown if I feel the need to. The day I visited campus, I simply felt at home. The people in this town are incredibly kind, and the beautiful weather and the views are unforgettable.

Why did I choose Honors? – When I first looked into joining the Honors College, I fell in love with the idea of smaller classes because it allows for a more personal experience not only with the professor but also with classmates. I later found out about additional perks such as the early enrollment, post-graduation opportunities, and scholarship opportunities, and I knew that Honors was for me. The Honors College has not only influenced me inside the classroom but outside of the classroom as well. I’ve never regretted my decision to join the Honors College, and I know you won’t either.

Catherine Cirzan

• Major: Art Education
• Year: Sophomore
• Hometown: Glendale, Arizona

Why did I attend NAU? – I chose to attend NAU because it was the perfect distance from home. I wanted to escape the heat and experience college in a new environment.

Why did I choose Honors? – I wanted to continue to excel in my learning by challenging myself with Honors, and open myself up to a new community of like-minded learners.

Hannah Gish

• Major: Elementary Education
• Minor: Spanish
• Year: Sophomore
• Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Why did I attend NAU? – I decided to attend NAU because I love Flagstaff and I heard they had a great Education program. I was excited to experience all four seasons and be the prefect distance from home- not too close but not too far!

Why did I choose Honors? – I joined the Honors College because I had taken advanced courses in high school and I love the challenge of an honors learning experience. I wanted a school-focused community that would challenge and support me in my college experience.

Keizer Tumbagahan

• Major: Biology, Spanish
• Minor: Chemistry
• Year: Junior
• Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Why did I attend NAU? – I decided to attend NAU because it was a change from my normal environment. Growing up in the desert, I wanted to be able to experience a change that my hometown could not provide me. Additionally, when I visited the campus, I fell in love with the people and the community that the campus provided. After my visit, I knew I wanted to go here and I know that I made the right decision.

Why did I choose Honors? – In high school, I loved being in a small classroom that encouraged participation and discussion from all of my peers. After I did more research about the Honors College, I knew that it would be able to provide this environment. The multitude of class topics that are offered ensures that there is a class for everyone and I have appreciated all the classes that I have taken.