With big life changes, finding your foundation is critical— and finding your purpose is what Aquinas College is all about.

Why Aquinas College?
Originally, Annie didn't want to attend a small college. In high school, she dreamt of becoming a dentist through a larger institution and didn't change her mind until her mother encouraged her to consider Aquinas. There, she realized the benefit of being a "name and not a number," ensuring that she would not "get lost in a lecture hall." It didn't take long for Aquinas to become a home for her, one that allowed her to grow both academically and personally. 

Once on campus, Annie's opportunities for discovery were endless. Aquinas College's liberal arts studies provide students with opportunities to explore a wide range of classes across various fields of study. With this structure in place, Annie was able to discover her true passions. As a freshman, she came to campus as a biology major with the intent to pursue dentistry. However, once she took her first philosophy class, she was hooked. In Professor Wagner’s class, it was a class of two: herself and another student. She realized she felt "called to do something beyond" the pure data of science. Without Aquinas’ dynamic coursework and liberal arts approach, Annie would not have been able to discover that "the science thing wasn't really what I was built to do." 

Power of Community
The college's holistic approach to student support became evident during the most challenging moment of her collegiate experience. Halfway through her college journey, Annie's mother passed away. The support Annie received was profound and lasting. Years later, community members continue to show how much they care, consistently checking in with heartfelt messages. "They're still asking, 'how are we doing?'” Annie shares. The community's affirmations, such as "your mom would be really proud of you" and "we're so excited for you," became pillars of emotional support.

Annie recognizes the significance of this support. "For many people, such a loss during college would be detrimental to their career path or educational process," she explains. However, the incredible level of personal support she received, both "academic and spiritual," made it "very easy to continue.”

What emerged from Annie's journey is a powerful narrative of resilience, shaped by Aquinas College's commitment to nurturing not just students' minds, but their entire human experience. Her story illustrates how a true educational community does more than teach: it transforms, supports, and empowers. It was here that the Aquinas community truly revealed its depth of care. "They really helped pick up those pieces," she reflects, "and ultimately put me on the path of what I do now."

Preparation & Support
While navigating what comes next after graduation, Annie began considering grad school and sought guidance from key mentors at Aquinas, including Daniel Wagner (chair of philosophy) and staff in Campus Ministry. These mentors affirmed her path, stating they had "equipped you for that."

Annie's transition to graduate school was seamlessly supported by Aquinas College's intentional approach to academic preparation. The philosophy program, though intimate in size, provided exceptional groundwork for advanced academic pursuits. As she reflects, the upper-division philosophy coursework was "almost geared towards prepping me for grad school."

Recognizing the demands of graduate-level studies, Annie took proactive steps to strengthen her academic foundation. Her final undergraduate courses felt particularly rigorous, with Annie noting that they were "almost like grad seminars," bridging the gap between undergraduate and graduate-level courses. This intentional preparation meant that when she arrived at graduate school, she wasn't overwhelmed; she was ready. The research skills, analytical thinking, and academic writing she honed at Aquinas gave her the confidence to thrive in her doctoral program. 

Student to Staff 
When the Aquinas College alumna returned to work at the institution, Annie framed it as more than a career move but a "fun little blessing." The transition from student to staff member revealed the depth of Aquinas' commitment to nurturing talent and supporting personal growth.

In her role as Associate Director of Transfer Recruitment, the alumna found herself working alongside fellow graduates who were "geeked out about the college." What began as an unexpected career path became an opportunity for profound insight. As she reflects, she discovered that her exceptional student experience wasn't just happenstance. "I thought it kind of happened... naturally," she explains, "but now I realize there were a hundred different people that really made that experience so special."

After pursuing a philosophy degree and Ph.D., she found meaningful application of her liberal arts education in her current role. "I get to use my degree every day," she notes, leveraging the critical thinking and the diverse perspectives gained from her undergraduate studies. Her work in transfer recruitment has been pioneering, with college leadership showing unwavering support.

Cultivating You
Throughout her time at Aquinas, Annie cultivated a love of the arts, something she still practices today. Art became more than a creative pursuit but a lens for self-discovery and personal transformation.

The journey began unexpectedly at the annual Symposium on the True, Good and Beautiful, where Annie was initially invited on as an MC, only to uncover a hidden artistic journey. "I didn't see this about myself," she candidly admits, highlighting the power of institutional support. Her mentors saw potential where she saw none, offering encouragement that would reshape her understanding of herself. When faculty and colleagues told her, "Oh, you're good. You should keep doing it," they did more than offer praise; they invited her to reimagine her own capabilities.

What emerged was not just an artistic practice but a profound mission of communication and understanding. Her art became a deliberate tool for dialogue, deeply rooted in her Catholic faith but reaching far beyond traditional boundaries. She explains her artistic desire "to soften hearts and minds and call people to higher thinking." This approach transcends mere artistic expression, transforming her creative work into a bridge between different perspectives. Her participation in ArtPrize became a "hallmark moment" that crystallized the critical thinking and challenging worldview cultivated by her education. What began as an unexpected discovery at Aquinas became a powerful way for Annie to share her heart and faith with the world.