Kate Christian '25

• Major: Sociology
• Minor: Psychology; Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• Hometown: Washington, IL
• On-campus involvement: IWU Women's tennis, CLA Student Assistant
• Recommended courses: Youth Subcultures (Dr. Fuist), Emotions and Society (Dr. Irby), Media and Popular Culture (Dr. Fuist)
  
  "The Sociology program here at Illinois Wesleyan has helped me to grow in a variety of ways. It has taught me lessons that are applicable to the classroom, but also outside of it. I have had the chance to improve my research skills and my writing ability. Additionally, I have been able to apply the lessons I have learned to my daily life and view the world from a sociological lens. It has allowed me to become a more critical thinker while being more aware of the social forces around me. I am grateful for the opportunities and support I have received within this program. It has given me the chance to study a subject I love and made me more confident in my abilities as a student." 
  
  

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Bryce Hess '25

• Major: Sociology
• Hometown: Decatur, IL
• Recommended course: History of Social Thought (Dr. Fuist)
• On-campus involvement: IWU Track and Field
• Off-campus involvement: During IWU’s Action Research Center seminar in Spring 2024, Bryce worked with the West Bloomington Revitalization Project (WBRP) to relaunch its Barbers with Books program.
  
  "The sociology program at Illinois Wesleyan has provided me with an experience to apply theoretical understanding of many different subjects. Studying sociology in my courses gave me the opportunities to gain skill in practical experiences and creating projects both independently and collaboratively. It has made me feel more passionate about understanding society and thinking about how I can work towards making it better. Overall, I can say that it has made me more open-minded and confident in myself by seeing different perspectives, connecting to social change, and understanding human behavior. I am grateful for the opportunities I had and I will always appreciate the support from the program at IWU."