Lillian Garncarz is a senior Honors student graduating this May with a degree in Biological Sciences and minors in Chemistry and Psychology. Lillian shared future plans, favorite Honors Program memories, and advice for incoming Honors students. Read below to hear about Lillian’s Honors journey.
- What are your future plans?
“I plan on continuing my education after graduation by attending medical school.”
2. What is your favorite Honors Program memory?
“My absolute favorite Honors Program memory was completing my Honors Capstone, which gave me the opportunity to engage in research and help develop a project from start to finish. Presenting my findings at NIU’s annual CURE was especially meaningful, and I was honored to place first in the Capstone category. This project not only allowed me to think critically about my research, but also taught me how to condense information and convey complicated data to the general public.”
3. How did being part of the Honors Program help you during your time here at NIU?
“The Honors Program helped me find a sense of community and belonging. The mini Honors sections were a great way to think critically about the information we are learning, as opposed to just memorization. These mini sections also helped foster connections between myself, peers, and faculty, as we had plenty of time for small group discussions.”
4. What piece of advice to you have to new students starting in the Honors Program?
“Get involved on campus! As a pre-med student, my first year of college felt so daunting with the knowledge of just how much I needed to get done – GPA, volunteering, leadership, research…it felt impossible. But, after joining a couple of clubs on campus, so many doors kept opening up in terms of opportunities, so don’t be afraid to get involved!”
