PROFILE: Morgan Goodspeed
Meet Morgan!
Morgan Goodspeed likes to say she's from the "sweetest place on earth." A self-dubbed "Terp by choice" and "cheesehead by birth," Morgan moved from Madison, Wisconsin to Hershey, Pennsylvania while in middle school. In high school her interests were diverse. She served as editor-in-chief of the school paper, was captain of her lacrosse team, volunteered with United Way, and served as the student representative at her local school board. At Maryland, she continues to nurture a wide range of interests, majoring in Communication and Government and Politics, and minoring in Spanish. "I love writing, politics, sports, and anything and everything in between," she says.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments or most memorable experiences in college so far?
That's a tough question! College is a place to grow in so many different ways—mentally, spiritually, socially, emotionally, etc.—and I have had memorable experiences in all of these areas. As cliché as it may sound, one of the most important things that I will take away from UMD is the incredible friendships that I've made here. I can say without a flicker of doubt that I will be friends with some of these wonderful people for the rest of my life!! In terms of specific experiences, however, two stick out in my mind: studying abroad in Spain and interning on Capitol Hill. Spending months in another country (another world, perhaps?) taught me both how little I know and how little I've experienced. Interning for a U.S. Congressman was also a rich experience, as I relished the opportunity to be a college student one day and a young professional the next. It gave me a window into future career aspirations and confirmed my long-held interests.
What do you plan to do after College?
This fall is application time all over again! I'll be applying to law school, and I'm primarily looking at schools in the Northeast (from D.C. to Boston). After I put in my three years, I hope to work for the federal government in some capacity.
What sorts of things have you been involved with on Campus?
I do a little bit of everything! I'm in a couple of political clubs and a variety of honors societies. I have been a committee chair for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event on campus for the last three years. I am a student coordinator for the Honors 100 program and love working with incoming Honors students! I work on campus in the Student Legal Aid Office as a Student Defender for undergraduates charged with university violations. In my time at UMD I've also been an intern off campus in exciting places like Capitol Hill and the Office of the Attorney General. Currently, I'm getting started on my government honors thesis about the role of anecdote in presidential campaigns and the implications for an informed public discourse.
How would you spend a free week?
Hopefully there would be some Terps games to attend! After napping for
a day to catch up on sleep and watching CNN for a morning to catch up
on news, I'd go running around the beautiful Paint Branch trails. I'd
probably grab lunch (pesto cavateppi, of course) at Noodles & Co.
with friends. Odds are pretty good that the afternoon would be spent catching
up on laundry and straightening up the mess that I call a room, then after
cooking dinner with my roommates, I would go out with friends for the
night! Now, how can I get a free week?
What advice would you give to incoming freshman?
Don't wait another minute to become involved and pursue your passions. Some people enter college with the philosophy that they will get acclimated first and then become involved in a host of activities. I disagree. I would argue that you become acclimated by becoming involved in those activities. You don't have to wait until your second semester or your sophomore year: visit a club or join a club or start a club right now. You'll develop another circle of friends and will find yet another way to make a niche for yourself at a large campus!
