She is combining a variety of science and education courses to build a general science education major, so that one day she can go on to teach any course in high school science.
In her second semester, she’s already taking a variety of biology, chemistry and education classes.
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“I’ve always known that I like science, and I had a really influential science teacher in high school,” she said. “… I wanted to be just like her and be organized and help students to love science like I did.”
As a University Honors Program student, McKeag is delving into research during her freshman year while also swimming for the Huskies Swim and Dive team.
She’s connecting concepts from two classes she took fall semester — genocide name, frame and blame and introduction to communication — and bringing them together in a research project looking at different styles of dictatorships and how they rise to power.
The Honors Program gives students the chance to experience both small classes and lecture classes. The varied experience has made McKeag feel more comfortable in college classes.
Hannah McKeag swims for the Huskies while pursuing a degree in order to teach high school science. Photo by Nick Lenz ’11
“The professors I found were really helpful,” she said. “Before I came here I was kind of nervous being in the class with like 250 students — how I would stand out and be able to have a relationship with my professors — but they’re really easy to get along with and want you to succeed.”
McKeag chose St. Cloud State in order to swim and be near home.
“I’m a really family-oriented person, so I knew that I wanted to be close to my family,” she said. “And my brother goes here, so it’s just kind of a nice community with people I know.”
“I love my coach and our team. We’re like a big family. I always have support, which is really great to know.”
In addition to attending classes at St. Cloud State, McKeag’s older brother, Josh, also swims for the university and the two have the chance to cheer one another on at meets. But that’s not the only relationship she’s built on the team.
“I love my coach and our team,” she said. “We’re like a big family. I always have support, which is really great to know.”
Because of those team bonds, McKeag knows what being a college athlete can mean. This semester she joined the Student Athlete Advisory Council, a student organization that supports student athletes on campus and across the country.
