Makaylee Kuhn - NMU Blog

During my junior year of high school, I was offered a full scholarship to play basketball here at NMU. After my first visit to the university, I fell in love with everything NMU had to offer. I loved how the great outdoors was right outside my doorstep, and the whole Marquette community just felt like home. During my visit, I immediately felt a connection to the EEGS department staff and knew that they would do everything in their power to help me succeed within their program.

I knew coming into college that I was very passionate about the environment and environmental issues. I chose to pursue an environmental science degree with a concentration in natural resources and a minor in sustainability, and I never turned back. I explored a wide variety of environmental subjects throughout my undergraduate degree, which led to me continuing to pursue my interests through my master's program by studying sustainability within athletics.

During my undergraduate degree, many of my classes included outdoor lab work or class field trips. These trips were my favorite part of my undergraduate program and offered me and my peers valuable, hands-on learning experiences that we could really only find at Northern and in its surrounding natural communities.
 

During my undergrad, I was part of the NMU women's basketball team and the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC). Through these programs, I was able to form strong, life-long connections with other athletes and community members. As part of my graduate program, I was able to form the Green Athletics Working Group - a student-driven group aiming to promote and create sustainable changes within NMU's athletic department. The formation of this group has been extremely rewarding to me as I was able to combine two of my greatest passions - the environment and athletics - in order to make long-lasting change.

 

To me, being a Wildcat means proudly representing the NMU and Marquette community in everything you do. It means not being afraid to take a chance on yourself and step outside of your comfort zone. A Wildcat is someone who works hard and takes it upon themselves to make a difference. Being a Wildcat means being a part of a greater Wildcat community, and continuing to realize the importance of this community.

I found my sense of belonging at NMU through my basketball family, the like-minded peers in my EEGS classes, and the members of Green Athletics. During my time at Northern, I was able to create valuable, personal connections through both of these platforms - many of which will last a lifetime.

NMU is truly a special place. I have been a student here for over five years now and I would go back and do it all again in an instant. The university has the perfect combination of challenging courses, top-tier facilities, successful athletic and academic programs, beautiful outdoor spaces, and the welcoming and supportive Marquette community. If you are considering coming to NMU, take the time to look into each of these opportunities and possibilities. This place and its people changed my life, and I hope you can give it a chance to change yours.