Hello everyone. We’d like to introduce you to new psychology major Ani Schneiderhan, a member of CLS’ incoming class for Fall 2022.
A native of Calumet, Michigan, Ani’s volunteer work with the Main Street Calumet Board and Farmers Market recently earned her a Community Impact Award from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Her community involvement also includes concern for the environment, assisting Nitrate Elimination, a Lake Linden based biotechnology company, in their test kits marketing campaign. As part of her academics, Ani was co-captain of her school’s Junior-ROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) and a member of the Science Olympiad and forensics teams. For these accomplishments and more, Ani was selected as a Michigan Tech Leading Scholar and recipient of a Portage Health Foundation Making a Difference Scholarship. Already thinking like a Husky–Ani was instrumental in promoting the inaugural “Snow-coming” event in Calumet last year.
Let’s learn a little more about Ani with a few quick Q&As.
Q: Looking back on the past four years, what was the most memorable highlight of your time in high school?
A: One of my most memorable experiences was going to Washington, DC for the JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) competition. My team qualified for Nationals in 2020 and 2021. The 2020 competition was canceled due to COVID-19 but we placed 4th in the Nation in 2021, out of a field that began with over 1,700 competitors.
Q: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I really wanted to be a pediatric orthopedic surgeon when I was younger. Mostly because I went to see one and I wanted to have a cool sounding job.
Q: How has that changed or how have you incorporated that into your future plans?
A: Well, I realized that I’m not comfortable standing or walking for long periods of time. And I’ve always wanted to have a profession that helped people, so I decided on Psychology.
Q: Do you have any special plans for summer before starting college in the fall?
A: Yes! I am volunteering at the National JLAB Competition in DC, the same one I competed in last year.
Q: Tell us a little something about Michigan Tech that attracts you?
A: I like the open area around campus, the trails and the water. But I also like that the student-to-faculty ratio is smaller than at other universities.
Q: You’ve chosen Psychology as your major. Can you tell us a bit more as to why?
A: I like Psychology because it’s the study of humans and how we react. There’s not really a “right” way to look at things and everyone is going to have a different perspective even though their brains might function in a similar way.
Q: Besides your studies, what other activities at Michigan Tech do you want to be a part of?
A: I have always enjoyed watching the productions put on by Michigan Tech students. I’ve participated in high school plays so I’m excited to join something in theatre. I’m also going to join the pep band.
Q: What’s the best advice you have been given in your life so far?
A: My Biology teacher, Mrs Wright, would always have us say her mantra at the end of each class; “If you can be anything, be kind”.
Q: How would you change the world if you could?
A: I would really like to see people stop judging based on their characteristics and be open to hearing opposing opinions.
Q: Would you like to give a shout out to anyone?
A: I would like to give a shout out to my JROTC instructors Major Farley and First sergeant Powell for helping me develop my leadership skills.
We are excited to see Ani here at Michigan Tech this fall, along with all of our new incoming and returning students!
If you are a new psych or human factors student for Fall 2022, and would like to say “hey”, please reach out to cls@mtu.edu or message us 