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Division of Education & Human Studies
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Education & Human Studies Student Stories
Blaz Mihaljevic on Criminal Justice, Professors, and the Career Collaborative
Blaz Mihaljevic, '20
Division
Education & Human Studies
Major
Criminal Justice
Hometown
Livno, Croatia
Pronouns
he/him
Studied Abroad
Dublin, Ireland and Shanghai, China
Internship
Contracting Specialist Intern with Homeland Security in Williston, VT
“
I've done multiple internships while here at Champlain College. One was with Homeland Security. I had never worked in that type of environment, so it was a really good experience.
”What appealed to you most about being a Criminal Justice major?
Being a Criminal Justice major is great because, right now in America, everything is changing. We need properly trained officers and law enforcement officials. And that really appealed to me: to be a beacon of change in this new development of law enforcement. It inspired me to choose Criminal Justice.
What was one of your favorite Criminal Justice classes you took?
In my first year, I was taking a criminal law class with Judge Cooper Smith, who was a judge here in Burlington for 25 years. He really helped us examine the law through an officer's lens. He even took us down to the courthouse for a few hours each week and let us examine case files. We are really exposed to our field through our classes.
How has Champlain’s Career Collaborative helped you with your career?
I went to the Career Fair five times while at Champlain—that's how I got my first internship. It was a great way to get started on my career and get me connected to my industry. Champlain's Career Collaborative also did a great job preparing me for interviews, writing résumés, and learning how to apply for government positions.
Dy'mon Guthrie on Education, Community, and Post-Grad Dreams
Dy'mon Guthrie, '21
Division
Education & Human Studies
Major
Early Education/Elementary Teacher Education
Hometown
Brooklyn, NY
Pronouns
she/her
Studied Abroad
Dublin, Ireland
Internship
Student Teacher at Rick Marcotte Central School in South Burlington, VT
“
I wanted to attend the National Association for the Education of Young Children conference in Washington, D.C. My Dean helped me apply for a grant with the Student Government Association (SGA) and guided me through the application process.
”Why did you choose your major?
From a very young age, I always wanted to be a teacher. Teaching has always been my passion. My goal is to leave a positive impact on the lives of future doctors, lawyers, engineers, and future teachers. I chose Early Childhood/Elementary Teacher Education, specifically, because I want to be one of the first influences in a child's life. After all, you probably won't forget your kindergarten or third grade teacher.
What's the best thing about living on campus?
I love the idea of living on campus because you get to meet new people and build a community with those who live in the same hall as you. I met some really cool students who lived in my hall. It's great to hang out with people who have nothing in common with your major at times. Not only do you get to share information with them, but you also get to learn new and exciting things from their lives.
What's your dream for after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to move to a large city and find a school that's hiring teachers. My plan is to teach for about five years, then apply to grad school to get my master's degree. My ultimate dream is to become the principal of a school that I found and open.
Emma Santos on Law, Internships, and the Value of Study Abroad
Emma Santos, '20
Division
Education & Human Studies
Major
Law
Hometown
Morrisville, VT
Pronouns
she/her
Studied Abroad
Edinburgh, Scotland and Petra, Jordan
Internship
Intern at Champlain College Prisoner Rights Law Initiative in Burlington, VT
“
I intern at the Champlain College Prisoner Rights Law Initiative where we visit prisons across Vermont and teach classes on different legal subjects. I believe this internship is one of the few of its kind at the undergraduate level.
”What made you choose Champlain's Law major?
I knew that I wanted to study law and that I was passionate about it, but law as an undergraduate bachelor's degree does not exist in collegiate institutions as a mainstream degree. Champlain's Law major is the only one of its kind, that I am aware of. We assume in the United States that you'll wait until law school to study the law, but I didn't want to wait, and Champlain provided me with that opportunity.
What has your internship experience been like?
I intern at the Champlain College Prisoner Rights Law Initiative, one of the few of its kind at the undergraduate level . One of my professors is the sole legal educator within the prisons of the state of Vermont. Together, we visit prisons across Vermont and teach classes on different legal subjects, including sentencing, probation, and parole. We also attend law library sessions at the different facilities to help inmates conduct legal research. Being able to teach and interact with this population in a positive way has been a dream opportunity.
Did you study abroad?
Twice. During my sophomore year, I took Heroes and Heroines: The Arabian Nights, and as part of the class we traveled to Jordan over spring break. This was my first time on a plane and going to another country. I had the most incredible time visiting ancient Roman ruins, riding camels in the desert, and swimming in the Dead Sea.
Then the summer after my sophomore year, I studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, for two months, during which time I took two classes. I had a wonderful time, filled with exploration and educational experiences that I will always cherish.
Riaz Clark on Social Work, Core, and the Upside-Down Curriculum
Riaz Clark, '21
Division
Education & Human Studies
Major
Social Work
Hometown
Ann Arbor, MI
Pronouns
they/them
Internship
Family Programming Activities at the YMCA in Burlington, VT
“
Champlain doesn't preach about preparing you for your future, it just does it.
”What has been your experience in the Social Work major?
I love it. I love that it's a very small, tight-knit group of people. We have our group chats, and we're always looking out for each other. If one of us isn't in class, we're on it, making sure they're OK. It's because we're Social Workers; we're built to do that.
Has the Upside-Down Curriculum enhanced your education?
Oh, 100%. What stuck out to me when I took my first tour at Champlain was that it doesn't believe in standardized testing. As someone with two learning disabilities, I don't learn very well through text and reading. And, it was incredible that during the second semester of my first year, I was able to start volunteering at the YMCA, and now I have a job there. At a traditional school, with a traditional curriculum, I wouldn't be doing that until my junior year.
Do you have a favorite Core class?
I was in a class called Bodies: Radical Awakening with Faith Yacubian. I just love Faith. She makes sure that everyone gets what they need. The class was based off that, about radically understanding your body. She told us in class, "If your body is telling you that you need to get up and that you need to do something, you need to listen to it." It was really interesting to learn how to listen to what your body needs.