Honors Ambassadors
Lauren Anderson
Major: Psychological Sciences
Minors: Chinese, Social Work
Year at NAU: Junior
Hometown: Cave Creek, AZ
Why did you attend NAU? While growing up in the heat of the Arizona Valley, I always dreamed of moving to a city with cooler weather and a more eclectic feel for college. NAU always seemed like the perfect place for me because I could become independent but remain close to home. Luckily, I found NAU to be a perfect fit, and among the pine trees and mountains, I have found a supportive community and an ideal environment to pursue my degree.
Why did you choose Honors? I became interested in Honors because it aligned with my career goals and mentality entering college. I was particularly drawn to NAU’s Honors program because of the sheer amount of opportunities that it offers, and I felt as if Honors would help guide me through college while also preparing me for a career after college.
Reese Farkas
Major: Hotel Restaurant Management
Certificate: Event Management Certificate
Year at NAU: Freshman
Hometown: Flagstaff, Arizona
Why did you attend NAU? I absolutely love Flagstaff and all it has to offer. Also the HRM program is incredible and I love learning from professors who have such passion about the industry I hope to go into.
Why did you choose Honors? Honors gave me a chance to challenge myself further my education through creative classes and new opportunities. I wanted to try something new and get out of my comfort zone and Honors gave me the chance to do that.
Katherine Fleury
Major: Psychological Sciences
Minor: Queer Studies
It is my junior year! I graduate in 2026.
Hometown: Phoenix
Why did you attend NAU? NAU originally attracted me due to the beautiful scenery! What kept me interested were the invested and devoted Professors, the range of classes available, and the community. I have yet to see a university with so many events curated towards the student body. I have met so many amazing people through the recreational sports program, clubs, and some events such as the Homecoming carnival and Welcome Week concerts. I can’t wait to be here for 2 more years!
Why did you choose Honors? I chose Honors largely because of my future goals. After completing my Bachelor’s degree, I would like to continue my education in graduate school, and the Honors program was the best way to prepare me. With smaller class sizes, a more individualized approach to Capstones, and the Exploration program, I received more personalized feedback and was given more ways to express my creativity. The Honors program is one in which the student’s goals are embraced and fostered.
Maddy Gillispie
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Minor: Spanish
Year at NAU: freshman
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Why did you attend NAU? I felt that NAU would be able to give me the best opportunities regarding my major as well as extracurriculars out of any other school I applied to. I also love the environment of Flagstaff, and I enjoy the change of pace with actually having four seasons. It has been a great change of pace without being too far away from home.
Why did you choose Honors? I have been an honors student since elementary school, so I thought it was the best fit for me. I love the smaller, seminar-style classes, because I feel like I am able to connect with the professors and my peers more. There are also so many different resources and opportunities that honors has to offer, so it seemed like the obvious choice!
Alicia Hansmann
Major: Nursing
Year at NAU: Freshman
Hometown: Gilbert, AZ
Why did I attend NAU? I chose NAU for many reasons, the main being, the NAU nursing program. When researching nursing programs NAU’s program really stuck out to me, not just because they have high NCLEX pass rates, but also because the program is interactive and hands-on. It was important for me to go to a school that had a good program for what I wanted to do. Also, Flagstaff is a great town that gives a small town feel while having lots to do. Living in Flagstaff has allowed me to explore living on my own while still being relatively close to home. Lastly, NAU offers great academic scholarships which has helped me fund my education.
Why did I choose Honors? I chose Honors because I thought it would help with my transition into college. In high school I was used to challenging myself academically and small class sizes. Honors gave me that environment and more. Being in honors has given me so many opportunities: this job, opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, and the chance to take hard major requirements in a smaller class setting. Also, Honors has welcomed me into a tight-knit community that was easy to meet people and make friends in.
Landon Johnson
Major: Photography
Minor: Journalism (ATM) trying to get it changed to Career in Technical Education (CTE)
Year at NAU: Freshman
Hometown: Vail, AZ
Why did I attend NAU?
NAU is somewhere that is far and different from my home town in Vail. Bit close enough where I am close to my family. The photography teachers are exceptional and were another huge reason why I chose NAU.
Why did I choose Honors?
In High School, I was someone that was in many of the Honors and AP type classes. I loved how small those classes were. Big enough to have discussion based classes but not too big where you feel overwhelmed.
Zoey Lasch
Major: Social Work
Year at NAU: Junior
Hometown: Glendale, AZ
Why did I attend NAU? I chose NAU because of the atmosphere Flagstaff has to offer. Glendale, Arizona doesn’t experience a change in seasons, it’s just hot then warm. I also love how inclusive the campus is and the opportunities NAU has to offer.
Why did I choose Honors? I have been an honors student since elementary school so applying to the honors college is what I’ve been working for. I enjoy the small class sizes and what the classes have to offer!
Jessiah Nelson
Major: Creative Media & Film, Emphasis in Independent Filmmaking
Year: Junior
Hometown: Surprise, AZ
Why did I attend NAU? I chose to attend NAU to escape the dry heat of the valley. I wanted a change of pace in my life and experience something distinctive to my prior experiences. I fell in love with the Flagstaff environment after coming up every winter as a kid with my family. The community is simply amazing and aided my decision to live out here! Now, I get to enjoy 4 seasons and explore my new home!
Why did I choose Honors? From my early years of education, I have always been involved in some form of extracurricular activities or advanced classes. In my 4 years of high school, I was both a Cambridge and IB student taking college level courses. My decision to join Honors stemmed from me still wanting to continue my past behaviors, but also have the opportunity to explore subjects I had no knowledge of. The Honors Capstone captivated me with the fact that I could create a project catered to what I wanted to delve into outside of my major. Honors to me has become a gateway to expand my interests and my future career!
Dahlia Schorr
Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish
Year at NAU: Sophomore
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Why did I attend NAU? I attended NAU because Flagstaff is gorgeous and it’s far enough from home to find out who I am but still close enough to be connected to family.
Why did I choose Honors? I chose to do honors because I like to challenge myself and how I see the world with new perspectives.
Bailey Stalford
Major: Chemistry with an emphasis in Forensics and Criminalistics
Minor: Anthropology
Year at NAU: Junior
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Why did I attend NAU? I am attending NAU because I visited the school when I was about ten years old and fell in love with the community. I learned about all of the programs that the school has to offer and the opportunities that will be available for me after my experiences here. I knew early on it was the right place for me.
Why did I choose Honors? Despite knowing I wanted to go to NAU, I was not even informed of the Honors program until I was in the university’s application process. After seeing all that Honors has to offer, I knew it would make me a more well rounded student. I love the special opportunities offered just for Honors students and the tight knit community I have made with the faculty and students here. Without Honors, I wouldn’t have as many choices for scholarships or internships. I also wouldn’t have such a great chance at getting accepted into the grad schools that I want.
Ethan Ward
Major: Philosophy, Politics, and Law
Minors: Law and Society, Political Science
Year at NAU: Junior
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Why did I attend NAU? I attended NAU because of its amazing programs and student organizations. There were so many opportunities to get involved in any field that interested me. I also love Flagstaff and our beautiful mountain campus. The green trees and snow were a great change of pace for a desert rat like myself. Compared to other universities that I visited, NAU hit the sweet spot. It had the community and feel of a smaller university with the opportunities and resources of a larger university.
Why did I choose Honors? I chose to be a part of the Honors College because I wanted to be around other like-minded, driven students. It was clear to me that the Honors College is a close-knit community where students and faculty can get to know each other and develop relationships. Smaller, discussion-based classes where I could interact with other students were also very appealing. The Honors College has so many resources and unique opportunities. I knew I couldn’t miss out on Honors as an NAU student!