Kayleen Schumacer
Bay City Central High School
Kayleen Schumacer is a student in SVSU’s English program, and is planning to teach literature in a mid-Michigan area high school after she graduates. Kayleen is an honors student and the recipient of a Nolle Scholarship.
“I came to SVSU knowing that I wanted to be a teacher, but it was the teachers here who really inspired me and helped me to figure out that my real interest is in English and literature.”
“The faculty at SVSU are wonderful. The professors are always smiling with encouragement and available to help.”
Kayleen has been an active member of SVSU’s thriving student community while a student, participating in the Forensics & Debate team, and serving as president of the Alpha Chi National Honors Society.
“The best thing about SVSU is that it is a diverse and open community centered on learning. The atmosphere is very motivational.”
As a member of SVSU’s Forensics & Debate program, Kayleen has entered five times and done well in the persuasive category, and she is now hoping to compete at the state level.
Kayleen also won prizes three years in a row at the annual Sims Public Speaking Competition.
As a member of the Honors program, Kayleen presented her thesis last semester, which was titled, “American Beauty: An Analysis of Negative Self-Images in The Bluest Eye.” Kayleen’s thesis project began with a paper she wrote for an assignment in one of her literature courses.
“The process of writing a thesis was very time-consuming, and daunting at first, but I learned a great deal, and my advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Rich, helped me to tackle the project in stages. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.”