Major Insight

Ben Maldonado '23 has always loved math and problem solving, which is why he's now exploring the new frontiers of machine learning, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and self-driving cars. We'll also talk about gaining leadership experience through Greek life, about making hard college decisions, and about why it's important to close some doors before new ones can open.

Featured Majors: Computer Science, Data Science and Statistics

Featured Organizations and Internship : Center for Analytics and Data Science, Alpha Psi Lambda, Miami University Climbing Club, Miami University Outdoor Pursuit Center, Neurolex Data Science Intern, Amazon Software Engineering Intern

Makenzie Knore is a true storyteller who hopes to inspire curiosity and to enrich lives through many forms of media including screenwriting, songwriting, and film making. We'll also talk about overcoming college doubts, finding confidence and clarity when your path becomes uncertain, and about how movies, music, and media can carry us through tough times.

Featured Majors: Media & Culture, Creative Writing, Music Composition, Emerging Technology in Business + Design

Featured Organizations: Miami Television News, University Communications and Marketing, Miami University Gospel Singers, Intramural Sports Program, Inside Hollywood (Study Away program)

Theatre has the power to inspire, educate, and even change the world. And for Charlotte Perez '23, it's the perfect way to address important social issues through the power of art and performance. She's been a playwright, a performer, a stage manager, and she recently directed the Theatre Department's mainstage production of the "Angel's Trumpet," while also staying involved on campus as a tour guide, and more.

On this episode, we'll also talk about navigating college as a first-gen student. And about the importance of following your own intuition as a way to find out who you really are, and who you may wish to become.

Featured Majors: Theatre, Social Justice and Inequalities

Featured Organizations: The Walking Theatre Project, Office of Admissions Campus Tours, Cedar Summerstock Theatre Company Internship, London Theatre Study Abroad, Urban Cohort, Fostering Just Communities

When Laura Schonken decided to help plant flowers for club in high school, she never imagined how that experience would change her life forever. Today, Laura hopes to make a positive impact on the world through botany and science. But plants aren't her only passion. Laura is also interested in fashion. So we'll talk about this unique combination of majors -- and about ways to avoid burnout, the value of research lab experience, the importance of peer perspectives, and about learning how to take your time in college by letting things grow and unfold in their own natural way.

Featured Majors: Botany, Fashion Design

Featured Organizations: The Bauer Lab, The Botanical Society, Miami University Fashion & Design (MUF&D), Miami Apiculture Society, Undergraduate Summer Scholars, MU Costume Shop

When Eckhardt Karsten '24 first took the initiative to email a professor for a simple recommendation, he never imagined the life changing paths it would ultimately open. Today Eckhardt is embarking on an ecological research project as part of the U.S. Antarctic Program and he's a member of the Honors College Student Advisory Board on campus. On this episode, he also talks about overcoming the fear of reaching for new opportunities and how building confidence is key for college success.

Featured Majors: Microbiology, Environmental Sciences, Geology

Featured Organizations and Internships: Honors College Student Advisory Board, Rachael Morgan-Kiss Lab, Pacific Northwest National Lab, The REU Disturbance Ecology in Central Appalachia Summer Research Program

After finding her passion to connect with people from different backgrounds, Victoria Lopez Rangel is combing a love of languages with a career field that's greatly in need of more bilingual speech pathologists. Victoria is also a recent recipient of the Critical Language Scholarship for Portuguese, and on this episode, we'll talk about finding a place on campus while managing the challenges of being a commuter student, why it's okay to feel overwhelmed at times, and about overcoming the trap of being too hard on yourself.

Featured Majors: Speech Pathology & Audiology, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Latin American Studies

Featured Organizations: National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, Miami in Spain (study abroad)

On this episode, we welcome Meredith Aliff '24 to the podcast as the new host of Major Insight. An all new season is here as our hosts talk about embracing the newfound independence of university life, viewing college as a glimpse into adulthood, crossing paths with different people across campus, and why you should never be afraid to try new and interesting things.

Hear stories from students who found the courage to step out of their comfort zone, embrace exciting opportunities, join new clubs, and get involved on campus. As we prepare to bring you a new season of Major Insight this fall, part two of this special summer series shares some of the best advice from the podcast so far.

Hear stories from students who found themselves away from home for the first time, trying to make new friends, and learning how to adapt and thrive in new and unfamiliar environments. As we prepare to bring you a new season of Major Insight this fall, part one of this special summer series shares some of the best advice from the podcast so far.

Featured Majors: Kinesiology, Nutrition

Featured Organizations: Myaamia Center, Native American Student Association