The Mount Mary featured athlete of the week is Lauren Nylund. Lauren is a senior from Muskego, Wisconsin, majoring in social work. Lauren has competed in softball and volleyball, and has also been an academic standout at Mount Mary, appearing on multiple dean's lists and academic all-conference teams.
Why did you choose Mount Mary?
I chose Mount Mary for a couple of different reasons. The first being that it is small college which enables me to have more personalized relationships and connections with my professors and classmates. I'm able to have a more tailored education experience instead of simply being a random name in a large auditorium. It is also close to home for me which is something I was prioritizing during me college search. Finally, I think that campus is gorgeous. I love waking up seeing the old architecture of the buildings as well as knowing the history that comes with it.
What has been the highlight of your time at MMU?
I feel that I have had many different highlights throughout my past four years at Mount Mary. I could argue being in RA or playing two sports has giving me the most opportunity to develop my leadership skills as well as connect with my Mount Mary community. Don't get me wrong, I do love what I do on campus and all the opportunities I have been afforded to be a leader on campus. However, I think the highlight of my college career is yet to come. During the past three years I have been blessed to also be a part of the Event Services/Buildings and Grounds team. With that being said, I have gotten to understand all the work and logistics that go into campus events. One large event in particular is graduation. I'm looking forward to the surreal and bittersweet moment of setting up my own graduation stage in the coming weeks and walking that stage knowing that I helped create a lasting impact at this university while being mentored by some of the best people I could have asked for. The highlight of my college career isn't necessarily a singular moment from the past, but rather realizing the amalgamation of mentorship and experiences that I have received over the years which has made me into the person I am today.
What are your plans and goals after graduation?
I'm still trying to figure out a handful of things for myself after graduation. However, I do have some job opportunities that I plan on pursuing. First, I will continue working at R&K Support Services, but in a slightly different role. At R&K I have been a caregiver for adults with disabilities for the past 4 years as well as an office assistant. However, after graduating with my BSW I will have the opportunity to work on client referrals, programming, and outreach for the company. I also hope to continue working in some capacity at current internship placement: Life Navigators. Life Navigators is non-profit agency that specializes in advocacy, guardianship, and trusts for adults with disabilities. My goals post-graduation include getting my Master's degree in the next few years, traveling around the US, and staying as active as possible.
Why would you tell a prospective student to come to Mount Mary?
For anyone interested in going to Mount Mary, I firmly believe that you can get out what you put in. There are so many opportunities at this university to grow and develop into the person you want to be. Whether it be through athletics, work, or joining a student organization, there is a place that you can belong on campus.
