Kaitlyn Bancroft

When I first got here, I didn't want to make friends or talk to anyone. I just wanted to go to class and then straight back to my dorm room. That was until I met someone who wouldn't take no for an answer. This person finally got me to open up and find new friends. Now, more than a year later, I am confident in saying that he is not only my first real friend at IUPUI, but also my best friend and closest companion.

IUPUI has become home to me in more ways than one. Because of my incredible mentor from my first year, I am now a first-year seminar mentor. I also found my way into being the Secretary of Liberal Arts Student Council, which is a new passion of mine, and I joined the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority on campus. IUPUI benefits me greatly in so many ways, especially with all the support of faculty and advisors. I am a part of the American Sign Language/English Interpreting program here, and I couldn't be happier or more content with my choice of school or program.

IUPUI got me from a place of fear and sadness to a place of joy and stability and even comfort. My favorite memory here is from my very first Hula Hoop for Hope, an event held by my sorority every year to raise money for Special Olympics Indiana. I first learned to hula hoop there, and I made some incredible friends and memories and got to meet Jawz the Jaguar as well.

IUPUI has taught me how to work hard, be proactive, make good friends, and enjoy my time. I plan on always supporting this community because of how much it has supported me in both difficult and happy times. The photo above is of me and my dad when we first visited IUPUI, also one of the best memories because it was the day I realized how much I would love it here.