Olivia Scott ’20

Experiential Learning

At UNE, you get a lot of different opportunities to do research, work in labs, and gain experience that you need for after you graduate and move on to the real world.

In [Sustainability and Ecological Restoration], we were growing chestnut trees from seeds because we're trying to restore the American chestnut population, which was decimated by a foreign blight. This process was cool because we got to watch over the plants. We started them from seeds and watched them grow. Then we ended up being able to transfer them to the ground outside and continue to care for them. It made me feel like I can make change — like I am part of a much bigger purpose.

Aside from science, I love art. Any free moment that I have, I'm doing pottery. I've been involved with ceramics in the art department since I got to UNE. I love it. Ceramics is my passion. As much as I love science, I may love ceramics even more. This semester, I'm a Teaching Assistant for the throwing class. Throwing is using the pottery wheel.

Ceramics is part of who I am. It’s not what I’m majoring in, but it helps me with school because it helps me relax. People need to have outlets, and ceramics is mine. I can go to the art studio, get into the flow, and lose track of time and worries.

Why UNE

UNE’s size is not too big and not too small. The professors are able to gain a close relationship to students, so as a student, I feel listened to. My questions are answered. In a larger university, you may not have that as much because the class sizes are too large to really be able to connect to the professor or to feel comfortable seeing a professor outside of class and asking questions.

I’d say definitely check UNE out. If you're in love with the sciences, it’s the place to be, and we also have a great art department. If you love the sciences, you like the ocean, and you want to be in a smaller school, I think UNE is the perfect fit.