After graduating from high school, Emma Rose said that she “did not see herself making it through college.” She had no concrete plan after high school graduation.

She had yet to decide a major at that point in time. Things changed when Rose was able to find a mentor to help her adjust to college life and has since become a mentor herself. Rose enjoys offering advice to freshmen.

“Take academics seriously, be social and talk to people, especially professors when help is needed. Have fun and always be yourself and do not try to impress others,” Rose said in regards to some of the advice she offers

Rose, 20, is a junior who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies with minors in sociology and psychology. She hopes to attend graduate school and become a middle school counselor.

“Middle school is a difficult time for children and unfortunately I didn’t receive the help I needed when I was in middle school, so I would love to help those middle school kids with any troubles they may be having,” Rose said.

A student within the Honors College, Rose is their social media chair, which requires her to oversee the Honors College’s involvement in social media. She is also a peer mentor for incoming freshmen who have been accepted into the Honors College. As a peer mentor, she guides first-year students who are making that sometimes difficult transition from high school to a college environment.

Outside of PNW, Rose is an intern for the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana. As an intern, a few of her responsibilities are as follows: caring for the gift shop, answering phone calls, sending out emails and sometimes organizing events.

During the summer, Rose volunteers with the Learning Challenger Center by helping with their summer camps. One of her proudest achievements was being able to organize a silent auction without any assistance and make it a success by raising two thousand dollars for the Learning Challenger Center.

Rose is passionate about helping others, which is proven in her previous volunteer activities. While in high school, she volunteered at various retirement homes, singing to residents. She volunteers around every Christmas and Easter time at the Human Society at their “Photos with the Easter Bunny” and “Photos with Santa” fundraisers.

Rose is dedicated to helping others and working hard. Mari Chapa, vice president of student mentoring for the Honor’s College, describes Rose as a hardworking, passionate, motivated and ambitious leader.

Chapa said if she had to use one word to describe Rose’s overall character, it would be selfless due to her passion for “helping others, providing emotional support, and setting aside her own problems and stress just to help someone in need.”

Rose said her ambition is rooted in a quote from the play, “Hamilton” by the main character Alexander Hamilton, “I am not throwing away my shot.”

She said she keeps this in mind when confronted with a new challenge or presented with an opportunity to enhance her life.

“The secret to being happy is not fame or fortune, but to help people, to love people, to spread positivity and to be loved by others,” Rose said.

Rose likes to listen to her favorite band, Twenty One Pilots, throughout the day as well as cosplay, watch cartoons, go out for sushi and watch Food Network.