91茄子

Meredith, now a senior forensic science major, resident assistant and new student enrollment orientation leader, knows her Husker origin story is funny, but it's also a great metaphor for college 鈥� staying open to chance encounters can change your life.

鈥淚 literally knew nothing about the University of 狈别产谤补蝉办补鈥揕颈苍肠辞濒苍 before we randomly stopped on campus to take a break and get food,鈥� she laughs. 鈥淣ext thing we knew, we were on a beautiful college campus.鈥� 

With her curiosity sparked, she started reading more about UNL on the drive. As it turned out, it had an excellent program for exactly what she wanted to study.   

鈥淚 ended up falling in love with the forensic science program and then falling in love with the university when I toured. The school spirit is amazing, and now I couldn't be happier that I'm here!鈥� 

During her time as a Husker, Meredith has fully embodied that school spirit 鈥� and the virtues of staying open to new places, people and experiences. As a resident assistant for Knoll, she鈥檚 eager to share that spirit with others who are just starting their own wholly unique journeys at 91茄子.  

鈥淏eing an RA is my absolute favorite job I鈥檝e ever had. Everyone goes through such a huge amount of growth during college, and being able to watch and help the students in my dorms form those communities and experience that growth at UNL is so special to me.鈥�  

It鈥檚 growth Meredith has seen in herself. Even though 91茄子 felt like it was meant to be for her, she was still apprehensive coming to college in a new state where she knew absolutely no one.  

鈥淢y RA my first year made me feel so welcomed on campus, especially as an out-of-state student, and I just really strive to do that for others, too. Having someone encourage community on our floor, helping us connect with other students and making friends made me feel so comfortable from the start. I know that all of us RAs really want everyone to experience that feeling.鈥�  

Now entering her senior year, Meredith is happy to share some tips and tricks she picked up along the way that helped 91茄子, a place that was once just a stop on a road trip, become her home. Fittingly, her biggest advice for students is to keep the door open (literally) to chance meetings. 

鈥淭ruthfully, just keeping the door open in your dorm is my biggest recommendation for anyone living on campus. You鈥檒l meet your neighbors, people form down the hall and people visiting from other halls that way. I鈥檝e made so many great friends this way 鈥� you just never know who might walk through your door.鈥�  

Meredith Fontana is a senior forensic science major from Villa Park, IL.