Dakota Serra
Graduation year: 2025
High school: Riverdale High School
Hometown: Port Byron, Ill.
Majors: Biology, environmental studies
Internship: Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø's Upper Mississippi Center (UMC), 2024
Post-grad plans: Attending Oklahoma State University as a research assistant for my master's in entomology and plant pathology
Why Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø?
It was close to home so I always heard about it, and I liked the smaller size of the school. I also really admired the campus when I was growing up.
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
Not at all. I've far exceeded my expectations in the experience I have gained. I also wasn't expecting to be interested in insects.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
I definitely wouldn't be where I am now without the help and advice of my professors. Through her courses, Dr. Sarah Lashley has taught me how to view the world differently and with perspectives other than mine. My advisor Dr. Kevin Geedey has always been there for questions and to push me in my studies. The entire environmental studies department has been amazing.
Dr. Tierney Brosius has been extremely influential, encouraging me to follow my passion and giving me opportunities to do so. Her mentorship has helped me with my research and professional skills, but also to become more confident in myself. It is thanks to her that I was able to secure not only a summer internship but also a grad school position.
Peak experience?
My summer research with the UMC was a great experience. I enjoyed getting to work on a variety of projects and meeting people on campus that I wouldn't have had a chance to meet before. I was also able to present my research at the 2024 ESA conference in Phoenix, Ariz.
What surprised you?
I was surprised by how much my professors genuinely cared to help me succeed. They were always there to answer questions and push me to do better. My college experience also became much better when I started talking to and getting to know my professors.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used it to fund my UMC internship in the summer of 2024.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss the relationships I have built with the faculty and the friendships I made with other students.
Advice for the Class of 2029?
Talk to your professors and ask them questions, especially if you're genuinely interested. I wouldn't have gotten the experience I have if I hadn't asked for opportunities in what I found myself interested in.
"Dakota is a dedicated and engaged student with a deep passion for the natural world. He excelled while contributing to research in my lab, demonstrating independence, analytical skills and enthusiasm. His confidence shone through as he presented his findings at a national scientific conference. Dakota was able to take advantage of all the opportunities that Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø had to offer because he was self-motivated. It¡¯s no surprise that he was immediately chosen for a graduate assistantship. I¡¯m excited to see the impact he will make in the field of entomology!"