Meet Emma:
Originally from Vaughan, Ontario, Emma Klein made the transition to Kent State University not only for academic excellence but also for personal growth and a collegiate sports experience. Now in her sophomore year, she is a part of the Honors College, a member of the Kent State Division I women’s soccer team, and is a member of Phi Delta Epsilon. Majoring in biology with a concentration in pre-med, Emma represents the drive and leadership supported and enriched by the Honors College community.
The Decision that Led to Kent State:
During her college search, Emma knew she wanted an experience that valued athletics, as well as great academic program offerings. She describes, “I wanted to come to the U.S. to have a collegiate sports experience, and when I first spoke to the coaching staff—Coach Rob and Coach Jenna—they were really great and I knew that they really valued their players and they supported them athletically and on an academic level. So that was really important to me.”
The Honors College Experience:
As a member of the Honors College, Emma describes her experience in the college as well as how it has benefited her academically and personally. “I feel like the Honors College has pushed me so much in an academic way. Even in a lot of the classes, I have to write papers for my honors credit. I'm learning about so many things that I wouldn't learn just by taking the class. Like, it's kind of pushing me to learn more and do more, which I think is really good in the long run.”
As a major in biology, Emma’s work consists of significant research and science based classes. As she has gotten further into her coursework, Emma describes how honors classes have pushed her to do further research. She explains, “The material that I am learning about, it really helped me see how genetic research directly impacts people. It gives me an insight into stuff that's not only in class, but kind of how it affects people in the real world too, and I feel like I'm able to make a connection outside of class.”
Activities and Life on Campus:
Balancing Division I athletics and academics is no easy task—especially at the honors level. For sophomore Emma Klein, however, the challenge is part of the appeal. As an active member on the Kent State women’s soccer team, her schedule is very busy and she plays a vital position on the team as one of the goal keepers. Additionally, Emma is a member of Phi Delta Epsilon, a national medical fraternity. The fraternity's mission is to prepare members as best as possible to be excellent applicants for medical school.
Personal Growth and the Future:
Studying at Kent State has not only made her goals and plans academically possible, but also creates passions and curiosities that span far after graduation. As she begins to focus more on classes specific for her major these goals and ideas become more obtainable. “After graduating from Kent State, I want to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. Eventually, I want to go into orthopedic surgery.”
With these career goals in mind, Emma hopes to continue working in the athletic field. She explains, “Ideally, it would be really nice to work with a sports team and be the doctor for a team. I would like just to stay involved with athletics. I feel like it's been a huge part of my life for so long, so it would be nice to kind of still be involved in that.” Emma’s positive attitude and drive demonstrate her hardworking nature and show how doing your best work can pay off.
About the Honors College:
The Kent State University Honors College is part of a long tradition of promoting academically talented students with a unique academic experience. The Kent State University Honors College is an institutional member of the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Mid-East Honors Association. To learn more about the Honors College, visit the Honors College website.
HEADER PHOTO CAPTION: Emma Klein signing a poster on the field while surrounded by fellow team mates.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312