Every University of Idaho student has a different college experience depending on their major, extracurriculars, passions and who they want to be while pursuing an education.
Olivia Niemi, a second-year student majoring in Psychology with an emphasis in Child Development, is a fourth-generation Vandal from Portland, OR, and a member of Gamma Phi Beta with a strong family connection to UI.
Niemi said every year she can remember, her family has made the trip to UI’s homecoming week to enjoy the festivities.
“I also got to meet tons of people my mom and grandparents went to school with here at UI and hearing all their amazing personal stories of what the university means to them and how special of a time they had in college,” Niemi said. “Hearing about how much the university has meant, and all the unforgettable memories everyone has made generation after generation made me realize the University of Idaho was where I was meant to be.”
Niemi experienced her entire freshman year during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an unconventional freshman experience.
“My sophomore experience honestly almost feels like freshman year 2.0,” Niemi said. “There are so many things I am experiencing for the first time right alongside the current freshmen due to getting an unusual first year in college.”
Niemi is involved in several different campus organizations to enrich her college experience, including being a member of the Vandal Entertainment team as a student involvement specialist after spending much of her time in the Department of Student Involvement office.
“I personally think my job is the most fun on campus, getting to plan and put on events that will be exciting for students,” Niemi stated. “In my role, we brainstorm events and activities we believe students would be interested in and excited to take time out of their day to go to.”
Niemi also has a large role in making sure UI is a sustainable and environmentally-friendly campus. Sustainability is one of her core values that has encouraged her to pursue involvement with the university’s initiative.
She is currently a member of ASUI as part of the president’s cabinet, functioning as the Director of Sustainability. Niemi helps advocate and promote sustainable options, events, education, and alternatives for each individual student, living group and club, along with the campus as a whole.
“I have been extremely interested in sustainability since high school, trying to do my part in lowering my environmental footprint and making changes in my life and the people around me to not only better our local environment but the world as a whole,” Niemi stated. “This is my first year on cabinet and as the Director of Sustainability, but I have been so excited to hit the ground running and jump into multiple much needed projects and events.”
As for the rest of her college experience, Niemi already has several aspirations and goals for the next two years she’ll spend pursuing her degree. These include taking advantage of the diverse opportunities UI provides students to get involved, make a difference and prepare for life beyond the classroom.
“Another goal I have is to try to do the most that I can within my roles on campus to help make a difference in the lives of students and our university,” Niemi said. “I hope to graduate from the University of Idaho knowing I took the most opportunities that were provided, and gave back to make our university just a little bit better than when I came into it.”
For incoming freshmen who are just beginning their Vandal journey, Niemi suggests they ‘say yes’ and get as involved with as many opportunities as they feel comfortable.
“Say yes to an opportunity you may not feel qualified for but will end up gaining so much experience from and end up making an impact on others,” Niemi stated. “Say yes to allowing yourself to go outside your comfort zone, because who knows what amazing experiences and memories you may gain.”
Michael Eze, a senior double majoring in Business in Management Information Systems with a certificate in Business Analytics and Business in Operations and Supply Chain Management, is of the same mind as Niemi.
“Try it, and if it is not for you, you can take a step back,” Eze stated.
He hails from Abuja, Nigeria, and has lived off campus for his junior and senior year of college.
“The first time I heard of the University of Idaho from the recruiters that came to my high school, my first question was ‘Where is Idaho?’” Eze stated in an email interview. “Not knowing anything about Idaho or having any family here, I trusted my gut and flew over 7,000 miles to a place I had never heard of before.”
Eze holds the role of a Vandal Reps tour guide, joining to build skills and become more outspoken in the community. He joined the organization his sophomore year and has stayed ever since.
“I came across the Vandal Reps campus visit office tabling at the get involved fair and immediately applied for the job and got it my sophomore year,” Eze stated. “It has been a great time getting to share my experience and show prospective students and families around campus. I also assist with various events such as new student orientation, Envision, and Uidaho Bound.”
Eze has also been involved with the African Students Association and National Society of Black Engineers since his freshman year, establishing connections and a community early on in his college experience.
Over the course of his last four years at UI, Eze has also created connections with ASUI as the Director of Student Resources, the Student Alumni Relations Board, the Vandal Wellbeing ambassador program as well as the Center for Volunteerism and Social Action.
Despite hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic that have taken up a considerable chunk of his college experience, Eze still remains positive and hopeful for the rest of his university career.
“This year has been definitely different from my freshman year with Covid having a huge part in that. (I have had) some social and academic impacts, but for the most I have adapted to the situation and gone along with the flow, and achieved my goals,” Eze stated. “One of my memorable experiences here at UI was leading Vandal Walk alongside ASUI President and Dean of Students this year. Although I was not able to attend Vandal Walk freshman year, it was a great experience to have done it my senior year and see all the smiles with the great incoming Vandals.”
Post-graduation, Eze aspires to work for a company driven by technological innovation and keen on giving back to the community. Afterward, he would like to start up his own business that deals with digital transformation.