A CLU student from Portland, Oregon, Meadow Walker is truly a force of her own making. Meadow is currently a student who will be graduating from CLU in December with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies accompanied by her minor in psychology. Both a mother and a student, Meadow holds deep passions toward the equality of all and works to uphold this as a family value, with her son learning from her at her side. This soon to be CLU graduate will dazzle you with her passionate spirit and unwaivering ambition toward achieving her goals.
Her Campus Cal Lutheran: What made you decide to come to CLU?
Meadow Walker: At the time that I was accepted to CLU I was planning on attending another college, but I came and toured the campus after I was offered a merit scholarship. I loved the campus from the moment I set foot on it. Everyone I met was so genuine and interested in helping students succeed. I felt at home right away and I knew that this was the right place for me.
HCCLU: Why did you choose your major?
MW: I’m an Interdisciplinary Studies major. I chose this major because I’m passionate about working with children. I believe that the biggest impact on our society can be made through the education of our youth, and as a teacher I take that responsibility very seriously. I previously worked as an educational assistant for several years in the field of Special Education, and I decided to go back to school to get my degree so that I could have a classroom of my own. I love teaching and the variety it provides in my day to day life.
HCCLU: What are your long term career goals?
MW: I’m planning on applying to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing credential program at CLU after I graduate this fall. There is a school for the deaf in my hometown and I have always been very interested in deaf culture. I have several close friends who are deaf and I had the opportunity to work with preschoolers in a deaf and hard of hearing classroom for a short time in Portland. Ideally, I would like to be a traveling teacher for deaf students in early childhood or elementary school.
HCCLU: What are you involved with on and off campus?
MW: Outside of school I am a leader for my son’s Cub Scout den. I’ve been doing it for two years now and I love it. Our pack in Westlake Village is wonderful. We’ve gone on several camping trips, hikes, and have had a lot of special guests at our meetings, from a balloon artist to a stunt coordinator. Our pack is very involved in the local community and does a lot of community service work, mostly focused on feeding those in need. Every year we do a “Scouting for Food” nonperishable food drive for MANNA, and we also put together a Christmas dinner for the homeless this year. I’m currently working with the Ventura County Food Bank as part of my capstone project and including my den in the planting and harvesting of a garden. The food will then be given to those in need in the community. I take great pride in helping my scouts earn their awards as they work toward earning their next rank. It’s a great way for me to spend quality time with my son as well as utilize my skills as an educator.HCCLU: I know you have a son, Logan! Can you tell me about him?
MW: Yes, I do! Logan is an amazing little man. I know that I probably sound a little bit biased in saying that, but he truly is. He is very thoughtful and empathetic, and fiercely independent. He definitely dances to the beat of his own drum. He plays basketball and likes to take pictures with his digital camera. He is an excellent problem solver, and is very creative. He’s great at math and enjoys building things with legos or any other materials he can get his hands on. I have hopes that he might like to be an engineer one day. Currently he wants to be a science teacher. I know that whatever he ends up doing, he’ll make the world a better place.
HCCLU: What’s it like being a student and a parent?
MW: Being a parent as well as a student is a constant balancing act. I try to plan things out in advance and give myself plenty of time to finish my assignments in case something comes up. I’m really lucky to have a great support network of friends in the area who are able to help me when I need them. Being an IES major has helped a lot because everyone in my major loves children and I’ve had friends from class watch him when I had night classes. The professors at CLU are also really understanding of my situation and have let me bring him to class with me on occasion as well. I remember one time we were walking down the spine and a professor saw us and said “I swear these freshman get younger every year!” and Logan believed the man thought he was really a student. He was so excited!
HCCLU: If there was a piece of advice you could give a student who is a parent, what would it be?
MW: If I could give a piece of advice to another student who is also a parent it would be to give yourself credit for everything you’re doing. We’re all our own harshest critics and it’s quite a feat to graduate from college, even more so to do it as a parent. I’ve been taking classes since my son was an infant, first one class at a time and now full time since I transferred to CLU. School is very important to me, but first and foremost I’m a mother. It can be overwhelming at times, but take the time to make memories with your kids. Plan a weekend getaway. Go to a museum. Read one more bedtime story. It’s exactly like Gretchen Rubin said, “The days are long but the years are short.” In the beginning, it seems like it’s going to take forever, but here I am about to graduate and my son is 7 years old. Going to college is one of the greatest things I’ve done, and I’m motivated by my son to accomplish my goals, but it’s also important to remember that this is time you won’t get back. They’re only small for so long. HCCLU: I know you’ve been a part of at least one march, what was it like? Did you bring Logan with you? What did he think of it?
MW: Yes, I was. I originally planned on attending the Women’s March in Los Angeles, but Logan was interested in accompanying me, so I changed my plans to attend a smaller sister march, the Justice For All March in Ventura. The march in January was the perfect time for us to recommit ourselves to upholding our family’s values. It was a positive and peaceful demonstration, representative of an inclusive America that reflects our diversity, values and constitutional equal rights. We marched in unity and support of the human rights of all people, especially women, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, people of color, individuals with disabilities, water protectors, veterans, refugees, and those in poverty. It was a very uplifting experience and I’m very thankful that I was able to attend with my son.
HCCLU: If you could have any super power what would it be?
MW: At this point it would be to freeze time and take a nap any time I want!
*All photos provided by Meadow.