Getting to Know You: Shiari McNeil
Shiari McNeil – Elementary Education with ELL endorsement
Year in school: Junior
Why are you studying this? What do you hope to do after your graduation?
I chose to study elementary education because I’ve seen firsthand how our education system fails the most vulnerable students. Quite frankly, I believe it to be by design, hence why the numerous “fixes” we’ve attempted over the years have failed to make lasting change. I want to enter this field to give this vulnerable population the quality support and education that it deserves, as well as disrupt and change the system for the better.
Why did you choose WSU?
I chose WSU because all of the teachers who have made lasting impacts on my life who have attended WSU to get their degrees. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to reason that the Cougs have a quality program.
What’s been your favorite part of the WSU experience thus far?
My favorite part of the WSU experience has been getting to hear the different perspectives and experiences from all my fellow Cougs. It feels like every single day I learn something new and I have loved every second!
What’s been the biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge for me has been balancing motherhood with being a full-time college student. I’m a mom to two boys under two (my second is due on Thanksgiving!) and parenting has been a full-time job! From juggling doctor’s appointments to attending classes remotely due to the constant illnesses from daycare, I have my hands full! But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
As a college, we’re starting to focus more on our people being agents of change. What makes you an agent of change?
I’m paving the way for students like me. Higher education has never been particularly welcoming to Black students, so it’s incredibly important to me to build a successful narrative to show students after me that college IS an achievable goal. Combine that with being a parent doing their undergrad and I’d like to believe I’m definitely rocking the boat and making the people I interact with realize that we need to have more support for students from diverse backgrounds.
Favorites:
Food: Apple pie with vanilla ice cream!
Restaurant in Pullman: The Land (amazing chicken sandwiches!)
Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?
Band: Earth, Wind & Fire
Song: I Can’t Make You Love Me by Boyz II Men
Movie: Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli
TV show: Parks and Recreation
Hobby: Playing video games
Vacation spot: Lake Easton State Park
Dream vacation spot: Alaska