Introducing Rebecca:
Meet Rebecca LaGuardia, a biology major with a concentration in molecular and cellular biology, as well as a minor in chemistry.
Rebecca is finishing her time at Kent State and is preparing to graduate in the upcoming weeks with the class of 2026. During her time at Kent State, Rebecca has served as the Secretary of Commuter and Off Campus Organization (COSO), President of the Pre-Optometry club, President of the Irish dance club, a Flash Fellow, and a member of Kent State’s Chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS). Her dedication to academics and campus involvement has prepared her well for the next step—attending optometry school at Ohio State University this fall.
Experiencing Life on Campus:
Being a commuter student poses a very different experience than living on campus. However, that didn’t stop Rebecca from immersing herself in college life and becoming very active on campus. She is a part of the growing movement to incorporate commuter students into the college experience at Kent State. She is a member of multiple organizations on campus, making it a goal before she graduates to pass on her work for commuter inclusion.
When asked why COSO has been such an impactful organization in her college career, she explains, “When I was a freshman, I wasn't a part of any organizations yet. So I was struggling to make friends also as a commuter. So it was just all like a perfect storm where I was just not really enjoying my time because I was struggling to make connections. How I overcame that transition was I persevered and kept working hard, eventually learning from that experience. I love the community that we're creating and the advocacy we're trying to do for it and trying to let more people know about it.”
Not only is Rebecca an active participant of COSO, but she is also the president of the pre-optometry club and a member of SAACS. Here, she is learning more about the field of pre-optometry by building connections. She discusses, “I love all the opportunities there are. I think I've gotten so many opportunities, especially in leadership. And I definitely learned a lot from those. But specifically one that's very present in my mind is my pre-optometry club. It got started, I think, like two years ago by someone else, but I took over and I've learned a lot there.”
Having an Honors Experience:
In addition to her extracurricular activities, Rebecca is a member of the Kent State University Honors College. Students who are admitted as a member of the Honors College hold the responsibility to surpass academic expectations, intellectually challenge themselves, and show leadership. Rebecca is certainly no exception to these standards; her work and involvement make her a role model for all students.
Reflecting on her experience in the Honors College, Rebecca shared, “In a lot of ways, I think the Honors College is what got me into leadership in the first place, actually. I remember my freshman year advisor had said something about doing a commuter event, and I remember thinking that's a great idea. The Honors College has given such great support. My advisor, Erin Ahrens, has been such a great support and someone to confide in.”
The Honors College provides a solid foundation for all students, regardless of degree program. When explaining how the Honors College has benefited her college experience, Rebecca explains, “The support and opportunities provided by the Honors College has been amazing. The Honors College has challenged me more and helped me grow both academically and as a person, like through the classes, through the leadership, through pretty much everything. It's been a really good foundation.”
Looking Towards the Future:
Beyond her active involvement on campus, Rebecca is preparing to begin optometry school at The Ohio State University this fall after she
graduates in May. There, she will take the next steps toward becoming an optometrist.
When discussing why she chose her degree path, she explains“I love biology so much. It's one of those things where you get some really great building blocks and it keeps on building and building and building. The more that you learn, the more you're able to refer back to that foundation and fully fathom things and grasp them and just carry it into everyday life—and kind of look at the world with a new perspective. Overall, it also just provides a good foundation for optometry school in the future, which was ultimately the end goal.”
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.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312