Major Insight

Teaching is almost a family tradition for Olivia Casey ‘22. As a Middle Childhood Education major, Olivia is preparing to teach math and social studies and she’s part of the Urban Cohort, where she collaborates with high-needs local schools. She is also all about studying abroad, and became passionate about traveling after visiting MUDEC, Miami’s campus in Luxembourg. On this episode, she also talks about the life-changing impact of experiencing new cultures, the joys of teaching, and how to overcome homesickness after moving away to college. Featured Majors: Middle Childhood Education, TESOL Endorsement (Teaching English to speakers of other languages) Featured Organizations: Urban Cohort, College of Education, Health and Society (EHS) Ambassadors, Miami Activity and Programming (MAP)

Emily Coyne is already a successful YouTuber, entrepreneur, and influencer who runs the popular lifestyle, fashion and digital media company, emilyOandbows. At Miami, Emily is also an Emerging Technology in Business + Design major, which is providing the graphic design, social media marketing, and business skills to take her company to the next level. When she’s not sharing parts of her life one vlog at a time, she’s also active on campus as part of the Student Foundation, her sorority, and as part of Miami’s Digital Innovation Program. Featured Majors: Emerging Technology in Business + Design, Entrepreneurship Featured Organizations and Internships: ETBD Digital Innovation Program, Student Foundation

As an architecture major, Julie Bohlen ‘22 is passionate about community-focused projects that champion sustainable designs. Her work recently earned her 1st place in the 2021 American Institute of Architects Ohio Student Design Awards for her project called “Eviction to Empowerment: Shared Housing in Milwaukee’s Inner City.” Julia is also a member of the Miami University Botanical Society, and she’s a great example of how college can help students combine creative thinking with an analytical mindset to help solve important problems. Featured Majors: Architecture, Sustainability    Featured Organizations and Internships: American Institute of Architecture Students, Botanical Society, Chi Omega

As a first-generation student, Clinton Ransom ‘22 came to college with a background that was different from many of those he would meet on campus. But that didn’t stop him from pursing his interests in business and finance. After an internship at Rocket Mortgage landed him a job at the Chicago real estate firm Marcus & Millichap, Clinton knew that sales was the right career choice for him. On this episode, we talk about learning how to thrive in a new and unfamiliar environment, the networking benefits of Greek life, and why it’s so important to take care of your mental health. Featured Majors: Finance Featured Organizations and Internships: Rocket Mortgage, Marcus & Millichap, Delta Chi Fraternity

Mary Culp ’21 has deep convictions about making education accessible for all learners, and she is well on her way to becoming a special education teacher. In this episode, Mary talks about discovering her passion for teaching, the joys of working with students, her work with trauma-informed schooling practices, and the power of “learning by doing.”   We’ll also talk about adjusting to college life after moving away from home, overcoming the need to compare yourself to others, and about how to focus in on the things that matter most. Featured Majors: Inclusive Special Education, Disability Studies Featured Organizations and Internships: Student Council for Exceptional Children, Access Miami

Data is completely transforming the way we watch and play sports, and Caroline Brega is interested in how this “analytics revolution” connects her knowledge of business and her passion for sport. Outside the classroom, Caroline has worked with the Columbus Blue Jackets as part of Miami University’s inaugural Sport Analytics Summer Academy, and she was selected by Major League Baseball to be a part of its Society for American Baseball Research. On this episode, she also talks about how her penchant for problem-solving helped provide a promising pathway forward. Featured Majors: Finance, Spot Leadership and Management (SLAM) Featured Organizations and Internships: NCAA Softball Player Performance & Scouting Analytics Intern, Sport Analytics Summer Academy, Women in Sport Leadership club, MLB Society for American Baseball Research

Annie David ‘22 is always searching for ways to combine creativity and analytics. As a senior studying marketing and business, Annie is also passionate about a career in fashion and photography. She is also the Creative Director at Up Magazine, Miami University's sophisticated student-run fashion & lifestyle publication, and the former VP of marketing for Advancing Women in Entrepreneurship. On this episode, she also talks about overcoming the uncertainly of being a freshman and how joining student organizations helped bring her diverse interests together.   Featured Majors: Marketing, Business Analytics, Emerging Technology in Business + Design

Imagine smart prosthetics that anticipate and respond to the user. Unlocking the secrets of human balance inside virtual worlds. Or combining computer programing with genetic engineering. It may sound like science fiction. But it’s all part of the college experience for Gabe Lenneman ‘22. As a senior studying Biomedical Engineering and Bioinformatics, Gabe also competes on the waterski team and plays on the varsity eSports team. On this episode, he also talks about finding the courage to try new things, advice he would give his freshman self, and more. Featured Majors: Bioengineering, Bioinformatics Featured Organizations and Internships: Waterski team, Varsity Esports team

College is always a time of growth, transition, and change. As podcast host Peter Everett ‘21 prepares for life after graduation, this episode also marks a chance to welcome Jason Meggyesy ‘22 as the new host of Major Insight. Jason is interested in using a variety of media and communications platforms to build and strengthen connections with people. And on this episode, he also speaks about overcoming a fear of failure, and about all the illuminating and life-changing opportunities that college can offer. Featured Majors: Strategic Communications, Sport Leadership and Management (SLAM) Featured Organizations and Internships: RedHawk Athletics Marketing and Communications Internship, RedHawk Radio

After a career-ending injury derailed her plans to play college soccer, Grace Chaney used the experience as an opportunity to find her true passions in biomechanics, orthopedics, and medicine. As a kinesiology and premed double major, Grace has served as an undergraduate fellow at the Mayo Clinic, and her award-winning research has already helped busy people find new ways to squeeze in effective workouts. On this episode, she also talks about working towards medical school, some innovative new health care technology, overcoming the dangers of burnout, and more. Featured Majors: Kinesiology, Premedical Studies Featured Organizations and Internships: Anatomy and Physiology Club, Mayo Clinic, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, Office of Research for Undergraduates, Stop the Bleed Campaign, The Mallory-Wilson Center for Healthcare Education Career Clusters: Health and Science

As an artist and educator, Lucy Osborne ‘22 is always excited share her love of art with others. As art education and art therapy double major, Lucy uses art to enhance the development of children, as well as the well-being of older adults with alzheimer's and dementia. She’s also an award-winning recipient of the Ohio Art Education Association scholarship. On this episode, she also talks about not only finding, but also maintaining a passion for your chosen major, the life-changing difference a great teacher can make, and more. Featured Majors: Art Education, Art Therapy, Studio Art Featured Organizations and Internships: Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), Ohio Art Education Association, The Giving Art Tree Project

Janelle Ghanem ‘21 has become extraordinarily adept at balancing two very different worlds. As a member of the Miami Women’s tennis team, Janelle was named an All-Academic Scholar-Athlete, while also studying computer science and engineering. She has already gained experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning at the U.S. Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and as a software Engineer at JPMorgan Chase. On this episode, she also talks about balancing athletics and academics, and the importance of finding strong mentorship in college, and in life. Featured Majors: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering  Featured Organizations and Internships: Miami Women’s Tennis Team, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency with the U.S. Department of Defense), JPMorgan Chase

Olivia Ferrazza seamlessly connects her interests in nutrition, food insecurity, and environmental sustainability. But it didn’t happen overnight. Olivia began college on a very different path before she learned how to put all the pieces together. As a nutrition major, and a food systems & food studies co-major, she is now the co-president of Leaders of Environmental Awareness and Protection, and she serves on the Student Sustainability Committee with other green campus org presidents. On this episode, she also talks about the value of having an open mind, and why students shouldn’t stress about finding their place and purpose right away. Featured Majors: Nutrition, Food Studies and Food Systems Featured Organizations and Events: Leaders of Environmental Awareness and Protection (LEAP), Environmental Awareness Program, GIVE Miami Chapter, Eco-Reps, Social Innovation Weekend

Amitoj Kaur understands how to seize every opportunity that comes her way. As a freshman, she was appointed by the governor of Ohio to serve on Miami University’s Board of Trustees, where she advocates for the student experience. Amitoj is also a first generation college student, who helps others navigate the transition into university life. And on this episode, she also talks about combining her interests in design, marketing, and policy to create more accessibility for immigrants, and for those in communities everywhere. Featured Majors: Emerging Technology in Business + Design, Political Science

As a mechanical and manufacturing engineering double major, Laura Mayer is fascinated by how things work, how they’re put together, and how they can be built even better. Laura is also interested in exploring the connections between engineering and business. And on this episode, she talks about discovering her passion for engineering, her mission to get more young women interested in the field, her research on 3D printing, and how engineering relates to so many hidden aspects of life. Featured Majors: Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain and Operations Management Featured Organizations and Internships: Society of Women in Engineering, Swagelok

As the editor-in-chief of one of the oldest college newspapers in the country, Chris Vinel takes human interest stories to heart. Chris currently leads a dynamic staff of writers and editors, who connect local and regional events to the college experience. On this episode, he also talks about keeping a student media organization running during COVID, how journalism can open doors for a variety of career paths, and how students can find the confidence to move forward in school and in life. Featured Majors: Journalism, Sport Leadership and Management Featured Organizations: The Miami Student

Jackson Polish aims to help redefine the sport of hockey. As the Founder of SP Analytics, Jackson created a hockey application that makes in-depth analysis of video and in-game data to make strategic decisions during competition. On this episode, he also talks about combining his interests in sport, business, and data analytics to build a future career in the sport industry. Featured Majors: Sport Leadership and Management, Coaching, General Business

Jannie Kamara came to college with the goal of becoming a leader. Today she is the student body president of the Associated Student Government, where she advocates for more connection and inclusion across the campus and the community. On this episode, Jannie talks about the importance of diversifying your leadership style, her research on black female civil rights leaders, and how all students can make most out of their college experience. Featured Majors: Black World Studies, Diversity and Leadership Featured Organizations & Internships: Associated Student Government, Diversity Affairs Council, Western Program

As a biochemistry major who combines physics and engineering to study self-healing polymers, Jafer Vakil uses chemical reactions to create materials with industrial and commercial applications. His undergraduate work has already earned him multiple publications within the field of polymer chemistry. However, this is not the college career Jafer originally envisioned for himself. On this episode, he also speaks about his abrupt transition from the liberal arts to the physical sciences, why sometimes the most unexpected path becomes the most profound, and how he overcame fear and doubt along the way. Featured Majors: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, English Literature Featured Organizations & Internships: Hughes Internship

The community-building efforts of Madison McGirr are aimed at helping other people thrive. As a sophomore in Miami’s interdisciplinary Western Program, she is interested in education reform, reducing poverty, and the effects of gentrification. Madison's work with nonprofits such as Our Daily Bread in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as youth-based programs such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Dream Keepers, is helping to make local schools and communities more accessible, inclusive, and prosperous for everyone. Featured Majors & Minors: Individualized Studies (Western Program), Education, Teaching and Learning