Alexandra Henriquez

Alexandra Henriquez is a biological sciences major from Gurnee, IL

Hometown: Gurnee, IL

High School: Warren Township High School

Year: Expected graduation: spring 2025

Minor: chemistry

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I have received the Honors Excellence Award twice, for my academic achievements and my high involvement on campus. I have also received the Woodstock Center Endowment Fund, also because of my academic achievements. The financial support has helped me focus more on my education rather than the fear of growing costs.

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 become a nurse, and now I am a biological sciences major and want to be a veterinarian.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am a biological sciences major with a minor in chemistry. I chose this route of study because I knew I wanted a career in the medical field (specifically veterinary medicine) and knew that I could excel in the field of biology.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
The amount of diversity at NIU! The number of amazing people I have met with different backgrounds has led to so many lifelong connections.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have had mentorship experiences both in the biological sciences department and in the Huskie Service Scholars program, which led me to gain more awareness of the community on campus and the importance of civic engagement. Additionally, my sorority, Kappa Phi Lambda, has allowed me to gain an even bigger community.

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?
Currently, I am the vice president and secretary of Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., which has allowed me to meet so many people, including people from other organizations on campus. Additionally, we have a huge focus on academic excellence, so they have always pushed me to excel in my studies. I am also a Newman Civic Fellow, and I have gained a sense of professionalism and have been able to build a bigger network from it.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The Huskie Food Pantry has been my biggest support at NIU. They are a nonprofit organization on campus that allows students to “shop” for food for free. It truly helps when finances are low, so students don’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
The University Honors Program has pushed me to gain many experiences from NIU, in addition to academics. By being in the honors program, I have gained awareness of different organizations on campus, such as the Research Rookies program and Huskie Service Scholars.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
I enjoy how connected everyone in the honors program is and how much support they provide us every single semester.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
My favorite instructor has been Dr. Bethia King. She taught BIOS 209 (Fundamentals of Organismal Biology). She made the class very engaging through her passion for biology and was overall an excellent and compassionate instructor.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
By attending class regularly, I have been able to grasp concepts much more clearly than if I did not go to class. I have always had the most success from attending class every day.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is definitely the Holmes Student Center! It is a great place to grab a bite to eat, study with friends or chill out after a long day of class.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
I would recommend looking into universities that have excellent financial aid programs. I have earned so many scholarships from Northern Illinois University that I wouldn’t have received from other universities I was looking into. NIU has excellent merit scholarships for incoming freshmen.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because I am a first-generation college student. I wanted to make my parents proud by gaining the achievement of a bachelor’s degree. It has also introduced me to a huge network of people I will have access to even after college and given me experiences I wouldn’t otherwise have had.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I set a ton of reminders on my calendar and make sure to give myself time for self-care. I also try to space my time out as much as I can.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I utilize Huskie Hub, which shows all of the events happening on and around campus. Additionally, I have reached out to the Center for Student Assistance for information on certain resources on campus.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I usually listen to music or take a nap to relax and recharge.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I am currently a pharmacy technician at Walgreens. When I am not working or doing schoolwork, I love to play video games, hang out with friends and try new recipes.