Consider Connections and Pursue Passions
Student Snapshot: Katelyn Pequeno ’27
Katelyn Pequeno ’27 (environmental science, law & policy) is a Presidential Scholar, tour guide and ALLARM student-coordinator who completed a summer internship at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Below, she discusses the community she’s found on campus, the joy of pursuing her passions, her First-Year Seminar, the interactive tool she worked on for the state of Pennsylvania and more.
Hometown:
Bethlehem, Pa.
Majors:
Environmental science and law & policy.
Clubs and organizations:
Alpha Lambda Delta, Dickinson Christian Fellowship, Pre-Law Society, ALLARM (watershed coordinator), Liberty Cap Society (tour guides) and Pi Beta Phi.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Presidential Scholarship and Dean’s List.
Best thing about my Dickinson experience so far:
The best thing about my Dickinson experience so far has been the amazing community on campus! Everyone is so kind, uplifting, passionate and proud to be a Dickinsonian. I am always greeted by familiar faces while walking through campus, and it never fails to brighten my day!
Best thing about my majors:
I love how interdisciplinary both of my majors are! I’m always finding connections between what I’m studying and other fields. This is not only engaging but also provides a well-rounded education.
On choosing Dickinson:
I was drawn to Dickinson for many reasons, but the two biggest ones are the incredible community and the ability to explore all my passions.
The community on campus is nothing like I’ve experienced before. Everybody is so kind and open to everyone and everything. Students are also incredibly passionate about their areas of study and activities. It’s very uplifting to be part of such a smart, genuine and driven community. I also love the emphasis Dickinson puts on exploring one's passions. As someone who is passionate about many different areas of study and activities, I was worried that I would not be able to pursue them all when I got to college. I was happy to find that this is not the case at Dickinson. I’m encouraged to not only explore areas that I am interested in but also areas I had never thought of before. It has broadened my education more than I could have imagined, and it’s allowed me to gain a well-rounded understanding of the world around me.
Favorite class so far:
My favorite class so far has to be my First-Year Seminar, Local Food and Poverty, with Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Heather Bedi. The class was super engaging, and it often had us all thinking about and discussing issues happening right here in Cumberland County. We took field trips and heard from community members, and it really brought our class together.
Favorite professor:
Assistant Professor of Political Science David O’Connell was my American Government professor during my first semester at Dickinson and my academic advisor. I would often find myself going to Professor O'Connell's office hours to discuss an upcoming paper or exam but spending half of the time talking about a new TV series or random new Caf hack that I discovered that week. He truly goes above and beyond to help his students succeed not only in his classes but in life.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
Be open to trying anything. While this may seem cliché, I have truly found so many new interests and met so many amazing people by just putting myself out there and trying something new.
About my internship:
This summer I had the opportunity to intern at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). I worked on many projects, including field sampling, conferences, record retention and an interactive grant map of the state of Pennsylvania. I very much enjoyed my time at the DEP, and I learned so many skills that will be incredibly beneficial in my future.
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Published August 19, 2024