Jordan Munos, senior Biochemistry/Molecular Biology major and honors student, is the recipient of the Ronald Mickel Senior Honors Scholarship. Ron Mickel, the sociology professor who founded UWEC’s Honors Program in 1983, endowed this honors scholarship upon his retirement in 2003.
Jordan is a McNair Scholar, President of the Women and Gender Minorities in STEM student organization, member of the Triathlon club, and volunteer at Mayo Clinic. She was also a gymnastics coach for Junior Blugolds Gymnastics team.
Jordan made the most of her summer doing research as part of her experience as a McNair Scholar. Jordan originally got into research on campus by talking with professor Dr. Jim Phillips—she encourages fellow Blugolds to attend office hours and make connections with their professors, because it can really open doors. For students who are interested in pursuing their own research, Jordan advises to do your own investigation by looking into faculty’s current projects: “I’m not saying you need to be an expert in that field of study, but it will make you stand out if you come with questions about their research.”
The experience of doing research has been powerful for Jordan—not only because of the subjects she is investigating. She has also developed teamwork and communication skills, but most importantly, this opportunity has made her feel more self-assured about her future career. “After my presentation, I finally felt like a chemist,” she says. She is looking forward to taking on her senior year with this newfound sense of confidence.
This fall, Jordan is taking interesting courses such as Biophysical Chemistry and electives like Classical Political Thought. She really enjoys attending labs and gaining new perspectives on the world around her. Munos states, “I am just excited to see how this last year plays out, and what’s in store for me next!” With this attitude, the Honors Program knows she will take whatever this year throws at her in stride and continue on to success. Jordan applied to medical schools this summer, and she is currently in the process of applying to graduate schools in the areas of biochemistry and biomedical science.
