Logan Andrews

Logan Andrews is a visual communication major from Chicago, IL

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Class Of: 2022

Minor: Black studies

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
My freshman year, I received the College of Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship for the fine work, effort and talent that I exemplified during my first year of college. The financial support has been helpful overall.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I wanted to be many things, but most of all I wanted to be an artist. I spent most of my time drawing and painting, and I always excelled in my art classes in school. Years later, I am pursuing that as a major. I will be getting my degree in visual communication (graphic design).

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is visual communication (graphic design) with a minor in Black studies. I chose visual communication as my major because I've always had such a strong interest in art and design, and I knew that visual communication was a path that would allow me to show my creativity in my own way.

I chose Black studies as my minor because I grew up in a household where my family educated me on Black history. The more I learned from them, the more knowledgeable I became, and it led me to do a lot more research about Black history growing up. Black history is another strong passion of mine, and I knew studying it as a minor would expand my knowledge even more.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
Something I have found pleasantly surprising about my experience at NIU is how many resources NIU has to offer. There are so many student organizations and clubs to be a part of, which can add to having such a pleasant experience at NIU. I gladly took advantage of those resources and my experience has been great.

I have also found it pleasantly surprising that NIU's Student Government Association is much more structured than SGAs at some other colleges and universities. NIU's SGA has made a huge impact on campus, and it also consists of more leadership positions for students. 

How have you connected with other students virtually to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I've connected with other students virtually by communicating on Teams or Zoom. Most of my classmates and teachers have communicated with me mostly through Microsoft Teams chat or GroupMe.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
Yes, I have been involved in student organizations on campus since my freshman year. I was a part of the Black Student Union, becoming a part of three different executive board committees, participating in their annual freshman pageant and eventually becoming their director of digital media at the start of my sophomore year. I also worked with Orientation and First Year Programs as a student success team member and graphic designer up until the end of my sophomore year. 

At the beginning of my sophomore year, I became a house leader for ACES (Academic and Career Exploratory Scholars) assisting students in understanding how courses connect to their major and future careers. I became a member of the National Association of Colored Women's Club Incorporated: Women of Poise and Substance Chapter, eventually becoming the community service chair, graphic designer and social media coordinator at the start of my junior year.

Junior year, I became the director of public affairs for the Student Government Association and secured an internship with the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications at NIU. 

NIU wasn't my first choice, but I knew that I wanted to make the best of my college experience here, so I will say that my experience as a Huskie has been quite fulfilling. I've always been a well-rounded individual; however, getting involved on campus was probably the best thing I could have done. It has honestly made my experience at NIU more meaningful and successful.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite professors is Alan Cordero. He teaches my Interaction Design course (ARTD 318). In this course, I learned how to use a new software called Adobe XD. It is a vector-based user experience design tool for web apps and mobile apps. I learned how to thoroughly design websites, mobile apps and more. I was new to learning those things and it wasn’t easy; however, throughout the course, Professor Cordero was very helpful and encouraging, and always gave good feedback and constructive criticism. 

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus became the Holmes Student Center, once they finished remodeling it. There's a variety of spaces in the center where you can study and do homework, which is why I was drawn to it. I also enjoy getting Starbucks or Qdoba every time I decide to go.

What advice would you give to a student who is applying to colleges?
The advice I would give to a student who is applying to colleges is to make sure you prioritize time when applying to different colleges. I would advise students to do research on some colleges and apply to all the ones you are interested in attending, but to also narrow down your choices and seek out the schools that you think would best fit you. Be honest when writing your personal statements and know all deadlines for all applications. Most importantly, make sure your grades are acceptable. 

Coming to college, what is something that you have had to learn to do differently?
Something I had to learn to do differently coming to college was to save and budget my finances. Even though I worked a job in high school, I still had the convenience of living at home with my family and was able to spend money on things that I really wanted as pleasures. I knew that once I got to college, I was going to have to focus more on spending money on things that I needed first, and my pleasures were to come second. I have also gotten a lot better at saving money. 

What do you do to relax or recharge?
To relax or recharge, I usually take naps or sleep long hours. When I wake up from naps, I always feel recharged and ready to do something productive. Sometimes I write in my journal or listen to music as well.