Psychology and Criminology Major
Simply put, I prayed a lot about where to go to college and I can confidently say that God led me to º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï. As someone from a small town, the moment I stepped onto campus, it just felt right—familiar, welcoming, and comforting. To make it even more special, there's a sentimental connection because my parents met here, which adds a beautiful layer of meaning to my own journey at the 'Berg.
Originally, I began my academic journey as a Psychology major with the intention of pursuing the PlusOne MBA program. While that plan remains in place, I recently added a second major in Criminology. Although I am still exploring the specific direction I want to take with these degrees, I chose them because of a strong and genuine desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
A major challenge I encountered while at º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï was a month before graduation I lost my grandpa who was one of my best friends since the day I was born. While this was extremely hard for me to walk through, I was able to lean on the amazing friends I have made during my journey at º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï to get me through.
The best opportunity I discovered at º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï was in addition to the many impactful experiences I had in Dr. Lazzari’s classes, one of the most meaningful opportunities during my time at º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï was participating in the Spring Break Service Trip to Biloxi, Mississippi during my sophomore year. It was something I stumbled upon unexpectedly, but it quickly became one of my favorite memories. Serving the individuals at Back Bay Mission and engaging with the local community was incredibly rewarding. Beyond the service itself, the experience of road-tripping with a group of students and faculty—many of whom I didn’t know beforehand—created lasting connections and memories that I will always cherish.
Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about being involved on campus. Currently, I serve as the President of Cru and Vice President of Student Senate. Through Student Senate, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to several meaningful initiatives by serving on committees such as the Veterans Day Committee, the CAEC Committee, and the Fresh Check Day Committee.
Beyond campus leadership, I also work locally at Wild Bunch Wellness Bar, which has allowed me to stay connected with the broader Tiffin community.
During my first two years at º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï, I served as Team Captain of the Women’s Basketball Team and was an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Additionally, I was a member of Enactus last year and have also competed as part of our Speech Team.
The thing I'm most proud of about My º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï accomplishments is Witnessing the growth of Cru and the way God has moved on this campus has been, without question, the most meaningful part of my º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï journey. If you had told me four years ago that Cru would become what it is today, I wouldn’t have believed you. When I was a freshman, Cru gatherings typically drew around 10–15 people, with nearly half of those individuals serving on the leadership team. At the time, meetings were limited to Monday nights, with no live worship and no Bible studies.
Today, Cru looks remarkably different. We now have a dedicated leadership team of 14, a full live worship band, and Monday night gatherings that have seen anywhere from 40 to 134 attendees. Last year, we launched a weekly Bible study, which now consistently fills PFL 101 with 30–40 students. We've also introduced prayer tables in H-Man approximately five times each semester to create space for connection and care on campus.
In addition to weekly meetings, we now host two worship nights annually, recently organized a testimony night, and are preparing for a live Q&A session. Through generous fundraising efforts, we’ve raised over $2,000 to provide free Cru t-shirts to students—something simple, yet impactful.
At the core of it all, my deepest desire has always been to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï community. Behind every number and event are countless hours of conversations, invitations, prayers, and moments of genuine care. If I could go back and show freshman-year Taylor what God would do through Cru over the next four years, I think she’d be in awe—just like I am now.
One faculty or staff mentor or advisor who impacted my ‘Berg experience is, without a doubt, Dr. Sarah Lazzari has had a profound impact not only on my º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï experience, but on my life as a whole. Academically, she has consistently challenged me to think critically and from multiple perspectives. Through her guidance, I’ve had the privilege of participating in meaningful experiences—such as the Pen Pal program with incarcerated women, a book club with the women at Crosswaeh in Tiffin, witnessing a session of PIVOT Court here in Seneca County, and touring the Ohio Reformatory for Women.
More than anything, Dr. Lazzari exemplifies what it means to lead with compassion and dedication. Her unwavering commitment to her students and her work sets a powerful example for everyone on campus. Because of her, I am not only a better student, but also a more thoughtful friend, engaged citizen, and empathetic human being. I am endlessly grateful for the lessons I’ve learned under her mentorship.
My advice to new freshman me would be Slow down and be where your feet are. Life only gets faster from here and you don't want to miss the joy that lies right in front of you. The future is in the distance for a reason, take the time to slow down and appreciate where you are at right now because nothing is ever guaranteed.
My favorite º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï memory is While many might expect my favorite º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï memory to be the moment I was crowned Homecoming Queen—an experience I was deeply humbled by and will always cherish—my favorite memory is actually a collection of the simple, everyday hellos, yap sessions, hugs, and laughter shared with friends and staff in the quiet moments on campus.
My plans after graduation are Next year, I will be continuing my education by completing the MBA program here at º£Íâ³Ô¹Ï. As for what comes after that, I’m trusting the Lord to guide each step—His plan is always greater than mine.