Academics
As a double major in the College of Arts and Sciences at Villanova University I have had the opportunity to take a multitude of different academic courses. As a result of my diverse studies, I have developed skills in research, data organization, presentation, and video production. The development of these skills has helped me to become more detail orientated and understanding of how the small details impacts the larger picture. I have also had the opportunity to work on different scale projects from semester long research projects to weekly assignments, both individually and with a group. I have found that my courses in Environmental Studies and those in Communication have positively impacted my performance in the other major through aiding my ability to understand multiple perspectives to the same project.
My education at Villanova didn't just occur in the classroom. Everyday on campus I was learning from my fellow student body and living out Villanova's motto of Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas. Truth, Unity, and Charity. I apply these values to my life today.
Relevant Courses
Communication Senior Project
For a semester, I worked in a small group of six people to research and explore the tensions experienced by young professionals, those between the ages of 22 and 25 years old, as they perform their identity on social networking sites. During this process, we interviewed twelve participants and analyzed the data to draw conclusions about the general population of young professionals as well as the influence of different industries on the use of social networking sites. This experience taught me how to perform Communication-based research, start a project from beginning to end, implement communication theory, data analysis skills, and how to better work in a group.
Environmental Senior Project
As a senior Environmental Studies major I was expected to complete a semester long research project on any topic that interested me. With the help of a faculty advisor, I developed a cost-benefit analysis of incorporating a biowall, an indoor walls of plants, on Villanova University's campus. I tested three different buildings on campus to determine if any location was suitable for biowall construction and if the having a biowall would positively impact student life. To determine this I performed air quality tests, measured each location, and tested the light available. I analyzed the data and wrote a scientific paper as well as created a poster to present my findings to the Department of Geography and the Environment at the end of the semester.
Interactive Media Design 1& 2
Interactive Media Design taught me HTML coding and factors to consider when designing for aesthetic value. In this course, I utilized Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Indesign, and Adobe Muse. With backgrounds in these computer programs, I have been able to create online versions of my resume, a website on a social justice topic of my choice, business cards, and an interactive PDF magazine for Villanova Alumni. Through the tutorials in these courses I have gained confidence in my ability to utilize technology in both coding as well as creating media which is pleasing to the eye which will impact my ability to convey messages to different audiences.
Environmental Science 1 & 2
Environmental Science courses provided a supportive environment which taught me the concepts of climate change, global warming, and the greenhouse gas effect. The interactions and effects of resource use on pollution was also addressed. Overall, Environmental Science gave me the opportunity to have a solid background in environmental issues to continue to build upon my time at Villanova University. This course also incorporated lab work in order to better understand the applicability of topics discussed in class.
Introduction to Media Production
In small groups, I was able to film and record audio for different forms of videos using Adobe Premiere. Utilizing Canon C100s, boom mics, and tripods we filmed a two camera interview, a music video, and a short film that we developed and cast. In order to work on lighting and framing I also created a portrait video which displayed black and white photographs of a subject with the audio of an interview with them. Through this class I not only developed a background in editing and filming, but also the terminology utilized on set and the responsibility of each role during production.
Environmental Ethics
Environmental Ethics was an influential course in helping me understand different viewpoints of the treatment of the planet and people's justification for upholding those beliefs. Through debate, the course instigated conversation about the different philosophical perspectives that govern the world. The course concluded with each student writing a research paper on an ethical issue facing the world today. Through the freedom of the course I was able to research the emissions scandal of Volkswagen as a case study utilizing the framework of environmental justice.
Geographic Information Systems
GIS is layer based data that has both a spatial and tabular component that can be utilized to create maps. The data can be manipulated and analyzed on a multitude of factors to display different aspects of a location. Through this course I have become competent in ArcGIS data software and have utilized it to create maps analyzing anything from the distance of schools to hospitals to the amount of tornado destruction experienced in Oklahoma. Not only does this course teach the importance of details in calculation, it also relies heavily on one's ability to make a map that is easily discernible and pleasing to the eye.
Natural Resources and Conservation
Natural Resources and Conservation taught me about different resources and their uses' impact on the environment. Building on this understanding, the course went dove deeper into how the resources can be allocated, utilized, or protected by the different levels of government as well as on a local level. I was able to take the lessons learned in class and apply them to real world scenarios through the final paper. In this course I performed a semester long case study on the groundwater in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh with a focus on the impact of agriculture and the industrial sector. I have always been interested in water as a resource through my participation on the rowing team, but this course taught me to consider more than just water, but to look at it as water quality and water quantity. Through this viewpoint, I was able to address the issue of groundwater use in India in a new way by applying the case study to Uttar Pradesh and Coca-Cola, a company under fire for its use of groundwater in the country.