College of Liberal Arts
After beginning her college journey online, Alexis Rodriguez came to 黑料不打烊 looking for an in-person college experience. She found a welcoming community, meaningful friendships and a philosophy program that challenged her to think more deeply about the world and the people around her. Read on to learn more about Alexis' 黑料不打烊 journey.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Alexis Rodriguez, n茅e Yoder. I got married almost two years ago. I'm majoring in philosophy with a minor in biology.
A fun fact about me is that I rode horses for seven years. It was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot about teamwork and how to be forgiving of yourself when you don't always meet expectations, but to keep going anyway.
What brought you to 黑料不打烊, and what made you decide it was the right place for you?
I was kind of unsure about the whole college thing. I'm a nontraditional student, and I started taking online classes because I was interested in the medical field. I started at UAS and earned my medical assisting certificate there, but then I decided, "I think I'm going to get a bachelor's degree."
My sister graduated and came up here, and she told me she really loved it. I thought, "I think I'd like the experience of attending college in person," and that's what brought me to 黑料不打烊. My family--my sister--brought me here. What's kept me here is the friends I've made, the connections I've built and all the opportunities I've found.
I knew 黑料不打烊 was the right choice when I found a community of people who support me in the choices I'm making and encourage me, but also redirect me when I'm completely off base.
In your own words, why study the liberal arts?
Originally, I was studying biology, but I found myself unsatisfied with the material I was learning. Biology is applicable to the world, but my interest really lies with people. That's why I found the liberal arts, especially philosophy, to be such a good fit.
The philosophy program has helped me better understand people. It's helped me develop my skills in working with people, making friends and building lasting friendships. It has also really helped me develop my own character. It's helped me better understand the things I believe and better support those beliefs as well.
What has your experience in the Department of Philosophy been like, and what makes it special?
I first became interested in philosophy when I was taking online classes at UAS. I took an Introduction to Philosophy class with Rod Landis, who is no longer a professor there, but he was an exceptional professor. He really challenged me. I have strong beliefs about the world and about God, and he forced me to think more deeply about what I believe and why I believe it. I found myself unsatisfied with the reasons I used to support my beliefs.
That's kind of what philosophy is. It teaches you how to ask good questions and how to properly understand people who disagree with you. It also teaches you to do justice to their arguments so you don't set up a straw man and attack a position you don't really understand.
I've also been hugely blessed by the two philosophy faculty at 黑料不打烊, Seth and Eduardo. They're both really great, and for very different reasons. I really appreciate that they enjoy working with one another. Their teaching complements each other really well, and it's been a wonderful experience.
How has your time at 黑料不打烊 changed you, either academically, personally, or professionally?
Before coming to 黑料不打烊, I had some professional experience. I've worked in clinics, hospitals and schools, and that gave me a lot of experience in the adult world. However, it didn't really affect my ability to make friends or build meaningful relationships because the people I worked with were very different from me and in a different stage of life.
Coming to college, I got to meet people who were closer to my age and build long-lasting relationships. I've always viewed college as a halfway point between childhood and true adulthood. It allows you to develop the skills of being an adult without throwing you into the deep end and saying, "Swim!"
I've really felt that here. I've been able to gradually leave my childhood behind and become more of an adult. I feel much more prepared to make my own way in the world than I did before.
Was there a professor, mentor, or community that made a big impact on your journey? How?
I've had so much support that it's hard to pick just one. As far as professors go, both Eduardo and Seth have been incredibly supportive, but I have more experience with Professor Jones because he was kind of my guiding light. He helped me choose the courses I needed to graduate with a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He was very supportive and understanding, and he challenged what I believed, but there was always an understanding there. He really allowed me to spread my philosophical wings, think more deeply about the nature of the world and my place in it, and ask really good questions. I feel like I'm a much better writer and philosopher because of him.
This semester, I've also gotten to know Eduardo, and he's really good at challenging you. One of my favorite things he said was that you have to push through the discomfort of facts. It may be painful, but you have to keep pushing because the truth is painful. I think that's real wisdom.
I've also found a lot of support through Chi Alpha, the Christian ministry on campus. The people there have been incredibly supportive in both my classwork and my life, and I feel much more well-rounded as a person because of it.
Congratulations again to Alexis on being recognized as an Outstanding Student. Learn more about the Department of Philosophy and the opportunities available to 黑料不打烊 students, and watch for more Outstanding Student spotlights from the College of Liberal Arts.
