Student Profile
Melissa Peake
Math Major, Class of 2008
West Burke, Vt.
Melissa Peake knew that when she went to college, she wanted to be at Johnson State. In fact, it was her first choice, and she says she knew it during her first visit as a high school senior. The beauty and small size of the campus combined with the small classes won her over.
She wasn't as sure about what she wanted to concentrate on once she got here. It didn't take long for her to figure it out, though. She says, "The idea of being a math major was in the back of my mind when I started school, but it was my first math class at JSC that had me decided. It was toward the end of my Calculus I class, and we were all in the process of picking classes and my professor wanted me to take a number theory class, even though it was a bit advanced for me. I realized that someone out there had confidence in my abilities, and I realized maybe I should too."
That confidence has paid off, and Melissa is considering going on to get a master's degree in math, or perhaps earning an accounting certificate. For the moment, though, she is really enjoying being a part of the JSC community. She explains, "I have had a really awesome experience here. I enjoy the small classes because they are intimate and you can get to know everyone. It makes for a much richer learning environment. The math department is really small, so you end up getting to know pretty much everyone. The math department even has a BBQ every semester at one of the professors’ houses. You can’t get more intimate than that."
In addition to studying and taking classes, Melissa also takes advantage of the many extracurricular opportunities JSC has to offer. She's participated in the America Reads Program, helping give elementary school children a lifelong love of reading, traveled to Italy with the JSC choir, served as orientation leader one year, was chosen to meet with the state governor to discuss a proposed Vermont scholarship plan, and participated in the Frisbee Club. Additionally, she has served as a Student Government Association senator and is currently a peer adviser. "I have enjoyed everything that I’ve tried so far," she says of her busy time here!