Noah Vanderhyde

I chose Lake Forest initially because of the size and the strength of the science departments. I knew that I would excel in a small school environment and the sciences here would challenge my academic ability. However as I progress through my schooling here, the community is so engaging and friendly. The community around me including faculty and staff is so overwhelmingly positive that I do not believe I would get the same experience at another school.

I first wanted to be a Peer Mentor because it would allow me to work with my friends in the program that I had been a participant in, but I wholeheartedly believe in diversity and inclusion especially on higher-ed campuses. This program is amazing because it brings in students from all over the world and connects them to the resources we have on our campus.

I would say get to know your professors and staff around the campus. It may seem a little nerve racking talking to your professors at first, but getting to know them personally can help your chances at getting into cool programs or fields of work!

I relate quite a bit to Chancelor Bennett, or better known as Chance the Rapper. He has done so much work for deprived city communities and those living in unhealthy neighborhoods. When I was living at home in Flint, Michigan, I was actively engaged in making sure programs were enacted for students to have clean water and access to great programs after school instead of engaging in other dangerous behaviors. My senior year of high school, I lead a program that raised nearly 120 thousand pounds of food and water for those in need in my city. I always advocate still for the citizens of Flint when talking with administration and local government leaders.