Rachel Seitz, at her very core, is a scholar. Brilliant and wise, Rachel is the kind of individual who initiates great change. A senior double majoring in English and anthropology, Rachel is no stranger to a challenge. An honors student, writing her thesis, Rachel is always on the go. More than anything, Rachel is a beam of optimism. To all those who know her, Rachel is the kind of person who can handle anything. She’s supportive and kind and always there for those who need her. She dreams great dreams, and it’s impossible not to believe in her.
Born and raised in Kansas, Rachel has always known she loves the people and places of her home state. She likes the small town vibes, the State Fair, even the way the sun hits the sunflowers in summertime. Rachel knew KU was the place for her when she stepped onto KU’s campus and couldn’t help but be caught up in the whirlwind of activities, students, and challenges. She fell in love with the people of KU and the citizens of Lawrence. She still finds herself entranced by the way everyone is unique in their own way. She finds herself enjoying the backgrounds of each person she meets, the differences that make each of them individuals, but the love of KU and Lawrence that manages to tie them all together. For Rachel, it’s as simple as that. She does what she does to give back to the community of Lawrence, the devoted and caring individuals that challenge and excite Rachel every single day.
If there’s a committee on campus making great change, it’s most likely that Rachel is a part of it. In her free time, Rachel is a devoted part of the Honors Program Co-Curricular Student Advisory Board. She’s also a part of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board; she’s on the committee that helps plan the KU Relay for Life, and she’s a committed member of the academic honors fraternity Phi Beta Kappa. If that wasn’t quite enough, Rachel is also a member of the planning committee for the Genius of Women. Rachel loves what she does, even if it keeps her busy, because everything she’s involved in gives back to the community and the KU she loves. She feels passionate about her missions because she feels passionate about the people of KU, the devoted students, faculty, and staff who never stop making KU a great place to be and dare to believe in wonderful things beyond themselves.
When prompted to share her biggest piece of advice with incoming students, Rachel can’t help but say with a smile, “Don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what you’ll enjoy, truly enjoy, until you try.” For Rachel, this means trying new committees, joining new clubs, even daring to fall in love with something that has absolutely nothing to do with your major, your reason for being at KU, or something that you’ve ever done. Rachel had to add in with a laugh, “And if all else fails, at least you’ll get free food. Join for the free food at least.”
In the end, Rachel is committed to the things she loves and the passions she’s found. She truly loves her positon editing for SIREN. She loves studying abroad. She loves the atmosphere of London. She loves Dr. Who and British dramas. She loves publishing, and she can’t wait to find a position in publishing when she graduates. But maybe, most importantly of all, Rachel loves KU. She loves the hills, the bustle, even the rush of Jayhawk Boulevard. She works, endlessly and tirelessly, to initiate great change for the people of KU. She is always learning, always changing, never afraid to dream of grand things and possible futures. She is, and always will be, a great scholar.