Nicole Imparato
Graduation year: 2012
Majors: Political science and English
Minor: Spanish
Post-grad plans: This is more my life plan, but I am going to try and find where I belong.
Why did you choose Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø?
For me, Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø just fit. Small, close-knit student body, a green and vibrant campus (in the correct months of course!) and professors whose doors are always open. Augie was everything I was looking for in a school ¡ª accomplished and yet not pretentious.
Are you where you thought you¡¯d be four years ago?
Well, I knew I¡¯d be graduating, but as far as everything else I could have never anticipated being the person I am today. Change is a guarantee in life, but only the lucky ones get to experience growth, real growth, and thanks to Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø and everything I have done here and everyone I have met here, I can say that I am a part of that lucky few.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
Specifically my parents, my good friend Martha Rothchild, and Dr. Weissburg. Without my parents¡¯ continual support in everything ¡ª from constant words of advice to those extra dollars when money was tight ¡ª I would have never made it. I would have never made it through Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø with my sanity if I hadn¡¯t met my good friend Martha, who has always been there no matter what time of day or night. And finally, without a great professor, mentor and I hope friend, Dr. Weissburg, I wouldn¡¯t have been the political science major and person I am proud to be today.
A peak experience?
Probably the scariest one, the experience of right now. Having to face leaving the Augie bubble and becoming a member of society is definitely a highlight. Incredibly frightening and yet exhilarating. The real growth and challenge has just begun!
What did you learn about yourself in these past four years that surprised you?
That I am a total nerd and am incredibly in love with being one.
What will you miss the most about Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø?
Probably the Quad-Cities area itself. I like to explore, and I have found some very memorable places both off and on campus.
¡°Nicole is one of those students who make teaching a real pleasure. She¡¯s bright, articulate and asks damn good questions. Beyond that, she genuinely cares about the world around her. Nicole doesn¡¯t just study hard so she can get an A on the exam; she studies because she wants to figure out how to make the world a better, more just place. That¡¯s what makes her exceptional.¡±