Miranda Kalinowski is the fourth student to graduate from the College of Arts & Letters’ Citizen Scholars program. Part of the first class of Citizen Scholars, Kalinowski graduated on December 14 with a B.A. in English.

“Being in the College of Arts & Letters and the Citizen Scholars program has made me take a step back and see that there is so much more out there,” Kalinowski said. “With the Citizen Scholars program, I have learned to work with others and have a wider scope of knowledge now. I also have learned how to write and communicate better.” 

With the Citizen Scholars program, I have learned to work with others and have a wider scope of knowledge now. I also have learned how to write and communicate better.

The Citizen Scholars program, which began in 2016, helps prepare the next generation of diverse, high-achieving, and engaged citizen leaders. It helps students identify and achieve their goals while preparing them for meaningful careers and leadership roles. Kalinowski describes the program as one that “encourages you to keep learning.”

“It’s a program where you can work with other individuals interested in the arts and humanities with more directed learning, nontraditional learning, and more in-depth experiences,” she said. 

Being part of the Citizen Scholar program since it first began, Kalinowski has seen how much it has progressed these past three years. Students of all majors within the College of Arts & Letters are encouraged to join and those who complete the program receive a $5,000 scholarship, which can be used to pay for study abroad, study away, undergraduate research, internships, or other enrichment opportunities. Kalinowski used her Citizen Scholar funding to study abroad with the English Literature in London program. 

“That was the first time I traveled anywhere by myself, and the first time I have been on a plane by myself,” Kalinowski said. “It was crazy learning how to be independent by myself, and just being in the place where literature started was so cool.”

Now that she has received her bachelor’s degree, Kalinowski is looking to go into nursing and plans on using the analytical and communication skills she gained from being an English major and a Citizen Scholar to help her with a career in nursing.