Alicia Schmidtendorff
Class of 2018
Independent Student of the Day
Alicia Schmidtendorff is a senior at Spring Arbor University majoring in health and exercise science and minoring in marketing. She keeps active on campus as the leader of the Spring Arbor Track and Field team as well as the Spring Arbor Cross Country team. She is also employed on campus as a custodian, and serves as a volunteer at Arbor Manor.
Last year in May, Alicia took a cross cultural trip to Greece. She says it was an incredible experience to learn about Greece's culture. Some of her favorite memories are hiking Mt. Olympus, visiting a monastery, and meeting the local people. "I always loved seeing pictures of Greece and to see it in person was an experience of a lifetime," she says.
My motivation
It feels amazing to be chosen as an Independent Innovator. I have put a lot of time and hard work into this idea, and to think that I was chosen for this scholarship is unbelievable. I could not believe it when I found out that I was chosen over many other incredible and talented individuals.
My latest accomplishments
I was recently awarded a $2,500 state-wide innovation scholarship for my business idea. The scholarship was awarded by Michigan Colleges Alliance (MCA) through its Independent Innovators Network scholarship program.
I had an entrepreneurship class which encouraged us to think outside the box on new and innovative ideas. It was during this class that my business idea for the Independent Innovators Netword scholarhip came to me, and ever since that day I have been doing research and trying to further design my idea.
Next big goal
The next steps for my idea are to start creating the app. It will take a lot of time, research and resources to find the best people in creating the app in order to get it up and running.
Why is choosing your own path important?
Spring Arbor University has opened a lot of doors to let me grow and pursue my passions. This can come from the professors who are willing and able to meet with you to discuss course work and questions, to the amazing student body who pushes one another to succeed in academics and life, as we are all willing to help one another grow.
I always wanted to be on a smaller campus where I would have the opportunity to make close relationships with students. I chose Spring Arbor because I knew I would have close communication with my professors so that I can excel in my academics, and I was also fortunate enough to have the opportunity to compete in athletics while remaining close to home. For these reasons Spring Arbor became the perfect fit for me and what I was searching for.
Favorite place on campus
I love to be at the field house. Aside from majoring in health and exercise science, I typically spend most of my time at the field house. I am a part of an amazing cross country and track and field team and have a great love for athletics.Share this profile
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