Damaris Medina

What’s your favorite class? Why?

My favorite class is Education in Complex World taught by Dr. Alejandra Favela. This was my favorite class because of both the structure of the class and the topics being discussed. Our classes were styled to be very community-based by having ice breaker questions in the beginning of class, sitting in a circle, working on group projects, and having discussion-based lessons. The topics we discussed helped us to better understand the student, teacher, and family perspective of someone going into the K-12 education system, and learning about how other countries handle their education system as well. Our projects and homework were very personalized and interactive. For example, I got to interview my fifth-grade teacher on her experience working in education.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

Originally when choosing Lewis & Clark College, I chose it because I could major in psychology and possibly get my master’s in teaching with their 4+1 Teacher Pathways program. I also entered into college differently than most students because of the Posse Foundation.

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

I love my psychology major because I am learning about people and it’s been nice for me to learn more about how we develop, and how, based on individual experiences and biology, we all turn into unique human beings.

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

What I love about my ethnic studies minor is learning the history of things that I never was taught in K-12 education, and I get to dive deeper into the missing gaps. For example, taking North American History called U.S. Revolution to Empire, I was able to learn more about the history of Turtle Island and all the peoples that were here before and after colonization and what types of relationships were forming on the continent between them. It really opened my eyes and I became more curious about what other gaps needed to be filled in my history education.

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

My Bible girls group has really helped me to grow and transform into the person I am. These are girls that I can come to no matter what I may be going through. They will not judge me, they are very supportive and encouraging, and they always give great wisdom and advice that is always helpful for different situations. It’s a space where I can fully be myself and can talk about God openly.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

Try things that you haven’t experienced before, and there you can learn more about who you are, what you like, and what you don’t like developing into your own unique self. For example, I have never been cross-country skiing, nor have I seen a mountain like Mount Hood before, but here at Lewis & Clark I have been able to do that. It was an amazing experience and now I want to get my own pair of cross country skis when I get older. No matter how weird it may sound to you right now or how different it is from what you would usually go for, don’t be so quick to say no and try it anyway. This is the place to discover different interests and passions you have and there are so many opportunities to do so.

Tell us about the upcoming Ray Warren Symposium. What has your experience as a cochair been like? How does this event complement your academic experience?

This year’s symposium is called On the Border, and we will be looking at all different types of borders, and what it means to be “on” a border where cultures meet and relationships form. My experience so far being cochair of the Ray Warren Symposium has been very eye-opening—getting to see the behind the scenes of what needs to occur in order to put on a symposium that is as important as this one. It was also fun being able to incorporate information I was learning from my internship into the planning stage. Lastly, it has been amazing being able to meet and work with my fellow cochairs, who are all amazing people! This symposium complements my academic experience because after taking lots of different types of classes in different fields during my time here at L&C, I can use those experiences and that knowledge to inform what types of topics may be important to talk about in relation to borders. This symposium will also help me improve my public-speaking skills, confidence, and courage in front of large audiences, which is not only applicable academically, but also professionally.

Psychology Ethnic Studies