Student Profiles
Attending UMass Amherst is Rewarding Experience
Katrina Cessna ’08 (bachelor’s degree with individual concentration [BDIC] and political science) is passionate about exploring new departments and courses that will enhance her studies. “BDIC is perfect for me because I can incorporate courses from political science, economics, communication, sociology and journalism into my focus, Domestic Government: People, Policy and Perception. I entered the political science major without really intending to complete it. Many of the classes that appealed to me were for ‘majors only,’ so I in signed in as a double major to increase the likelihood of getting into them.”
It turned out that Cessna loved the department and the faculty so much that she ended up taking more classes than she needed—and she’s close to earning a certificate in international relations too. The pivotal semester came when Cessna took two courses with Peter Haas. “I admired his level of engagement in international politics, and it made me realize all of the options available to someone pursuing a degree in political science.” The admiration is not one-sided. Says Haas, “Kat is a great student. She is excited to learn, and eager to apply her knowledge in imaginative and effective ways.”
This year Cessna received the prestigious Gordon and Dolores Sutton Scholarship, given by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences to a student who has achieved outstanding academic success. Cessna also was the recipient of the William F. Field Alumni Scholarship. “As a full-time—usually a very full-time, as in 18 credits—student working around 30 to 40 hours a week,” she says, “these awards are vital to my ability to keep up with my studies. More money means less hours I need to work during the school year, and the difference is like night and day.”
Attending UMass Amherst, Cessna says, has proven to be “one of the most rewarding decisions, both personally and academically, that I have ever involuntarily made.” That statement requires some explanation. “I was dead-set on attending Northeastern and fought hard with my parents who argued that UMass Amherst made more sense financially (Northeastern costs about twice as much). We butted heads all summer. I was sure I could save enough for the first semester—but didn’t think beyond that. Then one morning, it became crystal clear that I would not be able to attend. Two weeks before classes were set to start, I went into the UMass Amherst admissions office, and begged them to let me in. They were wonderful. I can now say that following my parents’ advice was a great choice. I love it here.”
Cessna, has been president of Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Sophomore Honor Society, worked as a peer advisor and coordinator in the BDIC office, and expanded her horizons through an “extremely rewarding” domestic exchange at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. While her academics always come first, Cessna says, “It’s really important to save time for myself to have fun and relax. Study breaks are key. I’ve been known to let off steam during finals by doing cartwheels in the Learning Commons at 4:00 a.m.”
One of the things Cessna like most about UMass Amherst is its size. “It is intimidating at first,” she says, “but you never stop meeting new people, witnessing new things, and finding new opportunities to become involved with whatever you might be passionate about.”
Cessna’s plan is to get her master’s here at UMass Amherst in political science with a focus in public policy and administration. Career goals include joining the Peace Corps before pursuing a PhD. “I want to facilitate the creation of better opportunities for underprivileged people,” she says, “helping them in a way that is similar to how scholarships, like the Sutton, have helped me achieve my goals. Eventually, I hope to be a part of revolutionizing domestic social welfare policy, as I believe the U.S. lags behind several other countries in this area.”
September 25, 2007
