Cheyenne Strickland, a senior at JSU, is majoring in history and minoring in English. She is originally from Weaver, Alabama. During her time at JSU, she has been a member of Sigma Tau Delta, served as secretary of the History Club, and represented the School of Arts and Humanities as a Study Abroad Ambassador. She recently returned from studying abroad in Italy. To the right is a photo of her looking out over the Tiber River in front of Castel Sant’Angelo.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

A: I have tons of hobbies. I love to read, mostly, but my favorite thing to do is to curl up and watch a horror movie or read scary stories. That’s a hobby, right? I write as well; mostly, it’s poetry.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: The last book I read was Caraval by Stephanie Garber! Highly, highly recommend it to lovers of fantasy or carnivals.

Q: What is your favorite thing to eat on campus?

A: My favorite thing to eat on campus is the sushi. Usually, I get a spicy Alaskan roll. Off campus, you can generally find me at Yamato.

Q: Why did you choose to attend JSU?

A: I decided to come to JSU because I received the Faculty Scholarship. It was a life saver, honestly, because it gave me the opportunity to go to university when I was unable to pay for it on my own.

Q: Why did you choose history as your major?

A: I decided to be a history major because I’ve always been thoroughly enthralled with humans and how we’ve done things throughout our time on Earth. Seeing how warfare, social order, and language has evolved over time never fails to ignite wonder in me. My role models have always been historical figures.

Q: What are your post-graduation plans?

A: After graduation, I plan to take a year off to save money and do lots of research into Ph.D. programs before applying to one. The goal is to become Dr. Strickland! I’d like to do my focus on Ancient History because I adore Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome.

Q: Why do you love JSU?

A: JSU finds new ways to engage me every semester. My professors provide a warm atmosphere for learning, and it encourages me to push myself. Fellow students encourage me to join different organizations or to drop in on their clubs. I feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged.

Q: What has been the most impactful experience you’ve had as a college
student?

A: I guess the moment I felt most profoundly during my college experience was when I went to a professor about my big dreams of becoming Dr. Strickland and attending a prestigious school for graduate work. The professor began explaining how exactly to go about that, asking me questions, and guiding me. I felt supported. I realized, “Oh, these people really care about my future and helping me get there.” I try to remember that now, anytime I get down on myself.

Q: What was the coolest part about studying abroad?

A: It’s so hard to narrow it down to one cool thing about studying abroad! I loved being able to go into buildings that had been in use for thousands of years and see how humans had changed them over time. I loved being able to walk down the same streets that Caesar Augustus took, or see the same sights that Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote about in his poems and journals. Just doing day to day tasks in a country where history has so visibly left its mark was amazing!

Q: What about your learning experience in the History Department gives you the confidence to take on life after graduation?

A: I know I am ready for life after graduation because I have the backing of many history professors. If I stumble, I’ll be able to come back and ask, “So how do I pick myself up from here?” My professors are figures I admire and learn from, and I’m so thankful for them. I look at them and ask myself, “So how do I achieve what they have?” and I learn. Ultimately, just being able to look up to the amazing professors in the Department.