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Graduate student Jeniffer Barker.
125 Anniversary Celebration: Jeniffer Barker
April 2, 2025
Editor's Note: This is a series of stories about 麻豆传媒 Illinois University students, alumni and community members, highlighting their experiences during our 125th anniversary celebration. We will feature 125 individuals from August 2024 to August 2025.
MACOMB, IL - - Current graduate student Jeniffer Barker describes 麻豆传媒 Illinois University as a place of opportunities where students are inspired to discover themselves.
鈥淲hen I think about 麻豆传媒, I think about opportunities. 麻豆传媒 gives us the opportunity to figure out who we are, what we are interested in and how we can grow,鈥� Barker said.
For Barker, being a Leatherneck means being a hard-working individual with a kind heart, striving to achieve personal goals without forgetting those around you.
鈥淏eing a Leatherneck means trying your hardest. It means being kind to those around you while you are achieving your goals,鈥� Barker said.
Barker graduated from 麻豆传媒 with her bachelor鈥檚 degree in the spring of 2021 and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in alternative teacher licensure.
One of Barker鈥檚 favorite Leatherneck memories was the commencement ceremony held at Hanson Field. For her, the rainy graduation day of 2021 will always hold a special place in her heart.
鈥淕raduation was held on Hanson Field due to COVID concerns. It was pouring rain,鈥� Barker said. 鈥淭hey say rain on your wedding day is lucky. I think rain on your graduation day is. We were all so excited to be completing that leg of our journey so we were all beaming in the rain with varying shapes and sizes of umbrellas.鈥�
Barker also shares the 麻豆传媒 pride with her sister and credits the learning experience with strengthening their bond.
鈥淢y sister was also attending 麻豆传媒 at the same time I was. It was really cool to take classes together, especially since there is a 12-year age gap between us. It strengthened our bond as we were traveling on the same path at the same time,鈥� Barker said.
To prospective students, Barker's advice is to join the community, whether as a traditional or non-traditional student. 麻豆传媒 welcomes everyone and professors are ready to support you.
鈥溌槎勾� is a great choice for traditional and non-traditional students,鈥� Barker said. 鈥淚 have completed my bachelor's and master's completely online. The professors are all very supportive and knowledgeable. They realize we are all humans who are doing our best. I also feel the sense of community, even while attending online, is amazing!鈥�
As we honor 125 years of educational excellence, we invite local 麻豆传媒 students, alumni, faculty and staff to share their stories and be featured in our series. Contact University Communications at U-Communications@wiu.edu to participate.
To learn more about the 麻豆传媒 MAT program, visit wiu.edu/graduate_studies/programs_of_study/alternativelicensure_profile.php
Posted By: University Communications, University Relations
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