Maran McLeod is a senior at Hillsdale College, and is majoring in history. “Halfway through my freshman Western Heritage class, Dr. Gaetano told me that I was supposed to be a history major, and I told him it wasn’t going to happen,” she recalls. “One semester later, I came back to his office rather sheepishly with a declaration of major card in hand. He just smiled as he signed the card and said, ‘Told you so. Told you so, Maran.’”

According to Maran, Hillsdale College professors take their roles as mentors to students seriously. “The professors hold you to a high standard, but not in a legalistic way. They help refine you and your knowledge. They also truly care about their student’s well-being, from small things like opening their homes to us, to going above and beyond in lending a helping hand to students that are going through tough situations.”

Reflecting on her time at Hillsdale, Maran says, “My favorite memories are the ones that I made with other people, from the Bible studies with the girls in my dorm, to sessions of spontaneous choral singing with my friends, to deep discussions with my professors. The life lessons I have learned from the people here are the things I will take outside of Hillsdale and implement in my own life, my community, and my career.”

Maran has a long list of campus involvement. She is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary, Phi Alpha Theta National History Honorary, and Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honorary. She has participated in the Ultimate Frisbee Club and the Swing Club, taught Zumba, directed and acted in plays, sung in the Chamber Choir, and danced with the Tower Dancers. During her time at Hillsdale, Maran has participated in the March for Life in Washington D.C., led multiple Bible Studies, and served as a Student Mentor for freshman.

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