Jenna Wallin ('20) found her place here at Northern Kentucky University. From research projects to community service to home-cooked meals, Jenna created a lasting experience for herself during her four years in college. And now she's a graduate with degrees in Data Science and Spanish.

For Jenna, Northern Kentucky University was not her first choice in her post-high school plans.

“God was calling me here and not somewhere else, and I totally understand why now,” she says. “NKU has given me so many opportunities that any other school would not have been able to provide.”

One person who had a tremendous influence on Jenna’s academics was Dr. Alina Campan, a professor of Computer Science at NKU. In addition to teaching two of her courses, Dr. Campan worked alongside Jenna on a research project, where they estimated the size of the Twitter universe.

“Jenna is the most extraordinary student, intelligent, hard-working, very serious in her studies and inquisitive in research,” Dr. Campan says.

Aside from her numerous academic successes, Jenna has been able to show her heart with her work in the Best Buddies organization, the Baptist Student Union and with international students at NKU. One of Jenna’s favorite memories during her time in college was when she invited a group of international students to her house for Thanksgiving.

“It’s a special feeling to help make international students feel at home,” she says.

Now that she has her two degrees under her belt, Jenna hopes to stay at GE Aviation, where she currently holds an internship. In continuing her work at GE, she plans to participate in a leadership program where she will get to experience four different roles on the job to narrow down what type of work she wants to do.

Jenna has been able to share her talents and compassion with NKU for the past four years, and her future is full of opportunities.

“As she has been successful in her educational pursuits, I am certain she will also succeed in her future endeavors, regardless of what career path she chooses to follow next,” Dr. Campan says.