Hi! My name is Ali Bredek, and I am currently an major, with a minor in . I plan to graduate in December of 2025. However, this is only my second year on campus. I transferred to С»ÆƬÊÓƵ in the fall semester of 2023 after spending my first year after high school at a different institution.
From a young age, I always knew I wanted to go to С»ÆƬÊÓƵ.
My mom had graduated from here, and I wanted to be just like her. However, once it came time to look at schools while still in high school, С»ÆƬÊÓƵ must have slipped my mind. I found the college search to be highly stressful. I was terrified of making the wrong decision and finding myself stuck for four years. So, I made the decision to attend the first school I visited to save myself a little stress and quickly found out that I had indeed made the wrong choice of school. The program there for my major wouldn’t take me on the path that I had hoped, so my college search began yet again.
I knew I had to do something different the second time around, so С»ÆƬÊÓƵ became first on my list to look at. I brought my mom along for my campus tour, her first time returning to Kent in nearly thirty years, and we both absolutely loved what we saw. Seeing my mom so happy being back on the campus where she had found her first home away from home made my decision easy.
I knew my childhood self was right — I wanted to go to С»ÆƬÊÓƵ.
Upon first arriving on campus, I quickly found my place here. With environmental studies being such a small major, I found a community with not only the other students taking the majority of the same classes as me, but with my professors as well. I love seeing everyone so passionate about what they are studying and what they do, wanting to share that passion with whoever is willing to listen.
The multitude of student organizations you can join is tremendous, not only pertaining to your major but also any other interests you may have.
Going into college, I knew I wanted to stay in the honors program, like I was throughout high school. But when I decided to transfer, I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to continue on that path. However, the С»ÆƬÊÓƵ Honors College accepted me with open arms, and for that, I am extremely grateful. Through this program, I have made so many connections — with advisors, faculty and new friends — and I recommend the honors college to any incoming freshman interested in that little extra challenge!
I also became a campus tour guide, which is a job I cannot recommend enough. Not only have I gotten to work alongside some of the nicest and most enthusiastic people you will ever meet, but I also get to inspire the potential Future Flashes with what this beautiful campus has to offer!
To a high school senior who may be considering making their choice to come to С»ÆƬÊÓƵ, I can guarantee that you will find your home here, as cliché as that may sound. I have made life-long friends from class, clubs, my on-campus job and from just being in the community. My professors and advisors have made my transfer so much easier than I could’ve ever imagined, and I know that I am on the right path to the career of my dreams!