Mali PetersonWood

One of the most unique gifts Lewis & Clark offers to its students is the opportunity to become a member of more than just one community.

Mali PetersonWood '19

Pronouns

she/her

Degree and Class Year

BA ’19

Hometown

Sonora, California

Major

Psychology

Extracurriculars

Admissions Tour Guide and Lunch Host, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Student Leadership and Service Project Leader, Women’s Soccer, Black Student Union

Overseas study

Australia

What three words would you use to describe L&C?

Community, Beauty, Rigorous

What has been your favorite class so far? How did it expand your knowledge?

My favorite class so far took place during my first year. The course, Exploration and Discovery: Horror Suspense and Paranoia, was taught by Assistant Professor Mike Mirable and analyzed the various purposes of horror films from an outsider’s perspective. At the beginning, I was not very excited about the potential of watching scary movies. However, as the weeks flew past, I grew to appreciate and admire the hidden secrets of the many different films we watched. This class helped me grow as an individual, as well as acquire new insights to a topic I never thought to study.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

The beauty of the campus and its location in Oregon. Additionally, I was searching for a small school with a close-knit community, and it just so happened I could play soccer there as well!

Where do you find community at Lewis & Clark?

I am an active student-athlete who gives admissions tours and loves to participate in various student-run organizations. I find myself easily drawn to my athletic friends and mentors, but I also enjoy working with my fellow peers in admissions work. That’s one of the most unique gifts Lewis & Clark offers its students—the opportunity to become a member of more than just one community, if they so choose.

How do you balance athletics, academics, and your other life commitments?

With a very detailed calendar! Seriously, one has to be very organized and on top of their game to be as busy as I am. I genuinely love my hectic schedule, so that makes it a bit easier to balance the daily logistics. However, there are times when it does begin to feel a bit challenging to fit everything in. When that occurs, I simply prioritize my activities and go from there. It’s important for me to keep in mind that I am a student-athlete and academics are my highest priority above all else.

How did you choose your overseas program? What did your overseas study add to your L&C experience so far?

I chose to study abroad in Australia primarily because of the location and academic focus. The country sits in close proximity to New Zealand, Fiji, Bali, and Tasmania—all countries I never thought I’d have the chance to visit on my own. Additionally, the way the courses were structured allowed for me to creatively learn about rainforests, the drylands, and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef in a truly incredible way. This program gave me an opportunity to explore a part of the world I probably never would have visited and added a whole new dimension of learning to my college experience. I highly recommend that every student at L&C try to study abroad sometime in their four years. This experience and the memories made are something that I will cherish forever.

How do you manage stress?

I work out when I’m stressed, or I go for a short walk in nearby Tryon Creek State Park.

Do you have a job on campus? If so, how do you fit work into your schedule?

I have a few jobs on campus. I work as an ambassador in the Admissions Office, giving tours to prospective students. My second job is in the Student Leadership and Service office as a project leader. We collaborate with an organization called SMART and take weekly trips to local elementary schools to help encourage and bring joy to the students through reading. Both of my jobs are easygoing and are easily fit in during my free time between classes.

What advice do you have for prospective students?

Get involved! There are so many incredible opportunities in the L&C community, whether they be in the athletic department, theatre department, student leadership, admissions office, and so forth. Make sure to get as much as possible from the four brief years you spend here.