McKenna E. Zehnder

What’s your favorite class? Why?

This question was really hard for me to answer (I’ve taken so many lovely classes during my time at Lewis & Clark!). But if I had to choose, I would probably say my favorite class has been ED446: Reimagining Teaching/Learning with Cari Zall. This class, as well as ED205: Education in a Complex Society, takes a deep dive into the American education system and the impact it has on both teachers and students. What’s different about ED446, though, is the practicum experience that goes along with it. At the beginning of the semester, students are paired with mentor teachers from a local elementary or middle school. Once paired, we went to our assigned classrooms once a week as a way to observe the lessons we had been learning in real time. While I do not believe I’m going to become a teacher in the future, I wouldn’t trade the experience I had in this class for the world. The ability to make connections with my classmates, mentor teacher, and the students in my assigned class opened my eyes to an entirely new perspective on the public school system.

One of my favorite parts about the field of education is that pretty much everyone is going to be impacted by it at some point during their lives. Even if you’re not planning on going into teaching, I would highly recommend this class as a way to reflect on your own K-12 experience as well as the experiences of those around you. This response would be incomplete without singing the praises of Cari Zall as a professor! She does a phenomenal job of creating a community environment in each of her classes (one that makes classroom discussion much more inviting than I have ever experienced before!). Beyond that, she is one of the kindest and most encouraging professors I’ve ever had. When you take a class with Cari, it is clear that she sees you for so much more than a student. She makes a genuine effort to understand your life outside of her classroom and will always be available to support you if needed.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

As a student-athlete, one of my main goals was to find a school where I could have a good balance between pursuing a degree and continuing to play the sport that I love. Aside from that, because I came in unsure of what I wanted to major in, the idea of a liberal arts education was appealing to me. I liked the idea that I would be able to leave my undergraduate education with a cross-disciplinary background (which I have in fact received from Lewis & Clark!). Similarly, I knew that I wanted to go to a small school so that I could form greater connections with classmates and professors. On top of that, you can’t beat the Lewis & Clark campus! The view of Mt. Hood, the bridge, the library, the chapel, and the location near downtown Portland; they’re all so beautiful and some of my favorite places in the world.

What do you like or find most interesting about your major?

Because I came in undeclared, I spent my first two years at L&C bopping around from intro class to intro class. And while I’m glad that I spent time exploring my interests, I knew that psychology was going to be the right choice for me. With that in mind, I am thankful to say that I absolutely love my major. Not only do I find it interesting, but I believe that majoring in psychology has given me the tools to look at the world with much more compassion and understanding. Beyond that, I love how the major is set up at Lewis & Clark College. In my opinion, L&C psychology majors receive a well-rounded education through methodology, cognition, and neuroscience classes, advanced labs, and various electives. Classes such as infant & child development, social psychology, and abnormal psychology can be built upon through upper-level electives and senior capstone courses. This means that while psychology majors do not pick a “track” to follow, you can absolutely curate the major toward your interests (or, if you’re like me, you can take all of the lower-level electives for fun). Beyond that, the psychology professors at L&C are hard to beat. Every one of them is clearly passionate and knowledgeable about the field (what’s not to love)!

What do you like or find most interesting about your minor?

My favorite part of the health studies minor is how easy it is to tailor it toward your specific interests. I’ve taken psychology, sociology, and health studies classes to fulfill requirements for the minor and feel as though it has given me the perfect opportunity to explore my passions while still giving me a strong introduction into the health field. Beyond that, the minor requires you to take an internship class (where you get to spend a semester engaging in a health-related internship of your choosing). As someone who hopes to go to graduate school one day, that experience is invaluable! Overall, every health studies class I’ve taken has been an important addition to my undergraduate experience, and I’m so glad I decided to take up the minor.

Tell us about your support systems and social outlets on campus: people, activities, clubs, res halls, etc.

College, no matter where you go, is difficult. Moving away from home, taking on harder coursework, and balancing school, work, and friends is challenging and requires a lot of time and effort. When you go to college, you’re given the opportunity to grow and form into a completely new version of yourself. I truly think that I am the luckiest person in the world for getting to befriend the people I have met at Lewis & Clark. I have made some of my best friends here, most of whom I met during our first semester, who have made my time at L&C better than I ever could have imagined. Beyond that, I am lucky enough to be on the softball team here at L&C! I am so grateful for my teammates and coaches for always checking on me and holding me accountable, especially when we’re in season and balancing things becomes a little trickier. I would also recommend that first-year students try to form a connection with their residential advisor (RA)! My first year RA started as, and remains, a crucial source of support in my college experience (you’re the best, RA Bella!). I am also grateful to say that my family and friends from home are always a call away if I ever need them.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Like I said previously, college can be really difficult. But it’s also such an incredible opportunity for growth and self-discovery (one that is not afforded to everyone). I know how easy it is to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of everything, especially during your first year when you’re figuring everything out. But try and remember how special of an opportunity being in college is! You get to study things you’re passionate about, grow as a person, potentially move away from home, and form new connections that may last you a lifetime. As cliche as it sounds, soak it all in! As a junior, I’ve been reeling recently about how quickly everything has gone. I wish I could go back to my first year and remind myself to take it one day at a time and enjoy the moments I get to have with my lovely friends more. Alas, all I can do is focus on appreciating every day that I have left.

But I do implore you, wherever you go, to embrace it. Join clubs! Make connections! Go to your professor’s office hours! Talk to that person in your class you think you might want to be friends with! Four years seems like a long time, but it goes faster than you might think. There’s going to be some good, some bad, and some ugly—nothing is perfect! But no matter where the journey takes you, I hope that you enjoy the ride!

How did your financial aid package influence your decision to attend Lewis & Clark?

Receiving my financial aid package provided me with the opportunity to attend Lewis & Clark College without having to worry too much about the financial burden. I’m so grateful for the ability to have a top-tier education at a school that I love!

Did you visit campus before deciding to come to L&C? How did your visit influence your decision to attend?

I got to visit campus as part of a softball recruiting camp during my senior year of high school. I really enjoyed it and left confident that L&C was my top choice. I fell in love with the campus, the people I met, the surrounding area, and the overall atmosphere here. As someone from Southern California, I loved being surrounded by so much green, and I loved the idea of getting to watch the seasons change. I loved how secluded and peaceful the campus felt, as well as how close it is to the city! The people I met – especially the softball team – couldn’t have been more welcoming. I’m so glad I got to visit L&C, meet some new people, and explore the area before deciding to commit here. It definitely solidified the choice for me!

What do you remember most about your New Student Orientation?

When my parents dropped me off for New Student Orientation (NSO), I felt incredibly lonely. I remember being so scared that I wasn’t going to make any new friends. What I know now is that pretty much everyone was feeling that way! Luckily for me, NSO was a perfect opportunity to meet new people and make some friends before the start of classes. In fact, I made my first college friend, whom I actually later ended up living with, on the first day of NSO. My advice for incoming first-year students would be: Don’t worry! If you’re coming into Lewis & Clark without knowing anybody, NSO is going to be the perfect place for you to change that! You’re going to do so many icebreakers and events with your group that it will be impossible for you to leave without making at least one new connection. Just be yourself, be open to new experiences, and absolutely go to the silent disco.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

The coffee shops! As an effort to explore Portland and get off campus more, my girlfriend and I started trying and ranking different coffee shops throughout the Portland area (we call it our “Coffee Shop Rankathon”). What we have come to find from this list is that the coffee shops in Portland are awesome! There are so many fun locations with incredible coffee. Plus, it’s been a great way for us to shake it up when it comes to study locations, which can make it a lot easier to stay motivated to do your work—trust me.

P.S. My personal favorite coffee shop here is Electrica Coffee. I also really enjoy Slow Pour if you’re looking for a great study spot!

Why do you love playing softball at L&C? How do you balance athletics and academics?

One of L&C’s biggest selling points for me was the ability to continue playing the sport I fell in love with as a kid. My teammates and coaches have provided so much support and kindness to me throughout my time here, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I love the friendships I have made, the supportive environment our team has created, and the ability to do something that I love every single day. Balancing athletics and academics is difficult, but so worth it! While it took me some time to determine the best way for me to balance my time, especially when I’m in season, I feel it has gotten easier over the years.

The most important thing for me has been to maintain an academic planner and make sure I know my priorities! Sometimes you’ll have multiple assignments due on the same day, all while practicing, traveling, or playing, and you need to determine what really needs to be done and what you can push back. Another big part of it is being able to communicate with your professors. Getting to play a sport in college is an incredible experience, one that has shaped my time here, but you need to remember that you’re a student first! Your coaches and professors are always there to help you if you need. They want you to succeed and are an invaluable resource!

Athletics Health Studies Psychology