English major Mia Klotz has been named a 2025 Rising Researcher which recognizes undergraduate students who excel in research, challenge their intellect, and exercise exceptional creativity.
Mia's research involves Bolivia’s education system and challenges faced by communities there in accessing information. Earlier this year, Mia visited Bolivia, bringing education supplies and training teachers to access educational materials. Mia says "These resources and workshops helped shape my approach to implementing meaningful, culturally sensitive, and sustainable change in rural Bolivian schools."
Mia also says:
"This experience has fueled my passion for accessibility, a field I am excited to continue exploring through technical writing. In my final courses for my certification in professional writing and technical communication, I’ve had the opportunity to create accessible documents designed to benefit everyone. Developing a strong understanding of universal design principles and creating resources that can be reused and adapted has profoundly shaped my perspective on publishing. It has also deepened my appreciation for how inclusive materials can empower students, ensuring they have the resources they need to learn and thrive, no matter their background or circumstances. I will continue to integrate these topics into my future work and hope I get to continue technical writing within the field of education."
Alongside completing a concentration in Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy Studies (WRLS) and the Professional Writing and Technical Communication (PWTC) certificate, Mia is president of the World Librarians club which provides open educational resources to schools in Africa.