Maria Ekern, a junior from West Salem, Wisconsin, juggles activities such as the UW Dance Team and the Black Law Students Association with a double major in Political Science and Communication Arts and three certificates: Classics, Gender & Women’s Studies, and Criminal Justice. She’s also the co-president of Queen in You.
Why did you choose your majors and certificates?
I feel like these were good ways for me to prepare for law school. They give me a wide range of different areas to focus on. I’m not exactly sure what type of law I’m interested in, but I do want to be a lawyer.
What have you gained academically from studying at UW-Madison?
I think I’ve made a lot of good relationships with different teachers by attending their office hours and getting to know them and making sure that when I’m struggling, I am reaching out.
What else are you involved in on campus?
I’m co-president of an organization called Queen in You. It’s about the self-development, self-professionalism and self-esteem of women of color on campus. I’m part of the Black Law Students Association and I’m on the UW Dance Team.
Tell me more about Queen in You.
One of our events was “Boss Up,” where we had different professionals come in and speak with us about what it’s like to be a person of color in the workforce and then we had people helping with resumes and people helping with cover letters. We’ve had a group discussion with the Wisconsin Association of Black Men where we talk about toxic masculinity and Black relationships.
Looking back on your college experience so far, what stands out?
Definitely my experience with the dance team. We get to travel to the Bowl games, so this past winter I went to the Rose Bowl and that was amazing. We also have the opportunity to travel with the men’s basketball team when they go to their tournaments over spring break.I started dancing when I was 11, styles like ballet and jazz and lyrical. When I came here, I didn’t want to stop dancing so I tried out for the dance team and it’s just a really great way to be involved with the school and have school spirit and have a whole separate support system.
What does your busy schedule feel like?
I need to balance my involvement with other organizations, like dance team, and social things with my schoolwork. It’s not enough time to sleep, honestly. For dance team we lift weights in the morning like the other sports do, at 5:45 a.m.
Why do you like being a Badger?
I like going to school here because it’s a very good school academically and socially. Although it’s not very big, there is a Black community, we are here. We have lots of different events to get involved with and I feel like there are lots of ways to make different connections and feel comfortable.
By the time you graduate, you want to ________.
I want to graduate with a 3.8 and I just want to make sure that I’ve taken advantage of all the different opportunities that are available here at Wisconsin.