Get to Know Mckenzie Larson of the Honors Program Student Advisory Board
The Honors Program Student Advisory Board has recently welcomed a new student to the team: Mckenzie Larson. It was a pleasure to sit down with Mckenzie and learn more about her experiences and individuality here at CU Boulder.
Tell us about yourself.
I am currently a Sophomore at CU double majoring in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Physical Geography. I am from Plantation, Florida and chose to attend CU to become more independent and experience somewhere new. In the Fall of 2018, I joined the ‘Golden Buffalo’ Marching Band and am currently a Piccolo Squad Leader. Along with marching band, I am a member of the CU Concert Band where I play flute and piccolo and the ‘Buff’ Basketball Band. I joined the Browne Research Group last semester for my independent study and plan on completing an Honors Thesis about how amines affect our air quality here in Boulder. After I graduate from CU, I would like to pursue a PhD in Atmospheric or Climate Science.
What is your favorite part about your major/studies here at CU?
My favorite part about my studies at CU is my independent study. Completing hands-on research in the lab is completely different than being in the lab for a class. I am gaining knowledge by reading other publications on my topic of interest and am working closely with the Principal Investigator of our lab (Dr. Eleanor Browne) and a PhD student in our group (Mitchell Alton). I calibrated an Ion Chromatography System and will use it to measure amine concentrations in Boulder’s air. Overall, I am excited to see how my research contributes to my Honors Thesis!
What is your favorite memory of being in the Honors Program?
My favorite memory of being in the Honors Program was being a part of the HRAP and living in Smith Hall. I enjoyed attending HRAP events (tie-dying shirts, painting pumpkins, planting succulents, etc.) and meeting fellow members of the Honors Program.
Why did you want to join the board? What are you hoping to add?
I wanted to join the board to become even more involved in the Honors Program and meet other members of the Honors Program. I am hoping to add more academic diversity to our program by potentially reaching out to other colleges (besides Arts and Sciences) to participate in our events and give the Honors Program members an opportunity to become more well rounded. While much of our focus is usually on STEM, branching out to other disciplines can inspire others and allow creativity and passion to flourish.
A fun fact about yourself!
I love musicals and plays! I have always had a passion for music and dance, and musicals offer the best of both worlds! Out of the many plays I have seen, my favorites are Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Something Rotten, and Jersey Boys. When I lived in Florida, my family had season tickets to our performing arts center and we would watch different plays every month or so. Also, when I was a junior in high school, I played in the pit orchestra for a local theatre group’s production of She Loves Me.
We are excited to have Mckenzie joining us on the board this semester; her contributions to the team will be tremendous!