Hometown: Ludington, MI

Major: Sociology (Honors) and Psychology

Campus Organizations: Most of my free time is spent working; I currently hold three jobs! One at the Michigan Union Ticket Office, one at the Health & Retirement Study under ISR, and one with Dr. Pfeffer, as an instructional assistant for his undergraduate course.

Let's get to know Raven...

What inspired you to major in Sociology?

I was inspired to pursue sociology because the topic is so diverse, yet every path is related. It's helped me learn more about the world, and myself, and each person you meet in the department, whether it be a professor or peer, has a valid contribution to the conversation, allowing you to learn in many ways.

What classes have you most enjoyed? Why?

I've really enjoyed the courses I've taken with PJ McGann (Sociology of Deviance & Deviance, Sex, and Society). The topics really make you think about how power and prevailing cultures work to influence norms. Not to mention PJ is an amazing lecturer!

Have you participated in an internship or research experience?

Yes, I am in the midst of completing my sociology honors thesis on First Generation College Students, which I developed from the ground up. It's been a lot of hard work, but definitely worth it-- I've learned more about myself and what I want to do in the future because of it. I also work on a large institutional research project at ISR.

What do you hope to do after graduating from Michigan?

I'll be sticking around for a few more years as I pursue my master's in higher education at Michigan. Afterwards, I hope to work for an institution like Michigan, creating programs to increase lower/working class diversity, awareness, and inclusion on campuses.

What advice would you give to students considering a major in Sociology at UM?

Take a range of courses to see what you like! UMich Sociology has top faculty in all areas of concentration, so you really can't go wrong when exploring the major.

Where is the best place in Ann Arbor to get late-night study food?

The gringo burrito at BTB is my go-to after a late night of studying, but honestly you can't go wrong with anything on their menu.