Juliana Meija, a Meteorology graduate and first-generation college student from Hinsdale, Illinois, found a welcoming and expansive community at the University of Oklahoma. Through her involvement and experiences, she shaped a college experience that will last her a lifetime.
I chose OU because of its incredible meteorology program! It sells itself and I quickly learned it was one of the best in the country. A recruiter actually visited my high school and she was able to make campus come to life for me. I asked her about my interests, and she told me about University-Sing and OU Choirs, as well as the culture of student life, which told me I’d really be getting the best of both worlds at OU.
A huge challenge was financing! I’ve had two jobs throughout my entire college career to provide for myself. That forced me to find a balance between work, school, and a social life. This has helped me grow because, although I’m still not perfect at the tedious time management, I know my limitations now and the extent to which I can push myself while also staying healthy and happy.
I joined University-Sing, Scandals, and the OU Choirs because I’ve always loved to sing, especially in choir. I joined Sooner Society, which is a nomination-based honor society, and it was of my favorite experiences in college since it was a tight-knit group of about 30 students, I spent a lot of time volunteering in the tour guide office, which eventually helped me jump into work once I was hired as a tour guide.
I also joined the Oklahoma Weather Lab to learn from my peers in meteorology; the Hispanic American Student Association (HASA) to integrate myself with other students who identify as Hispanic; and the OU Rock Climbing Club, where I had my first experiences with outdoor climbing and traveled to compete. Lastly, in my freshman year, I began my long involvement with OU Nightly. I started earning credit with my involvement towards my Broadcast Meteorology minor, but Nightly was the key to getting the experience I needed to pursue a career as a broadcast meteorologist.
It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. I came into college confused and not understanding much about how college works, but the advisors and mentors I was connected to made all the difference and ensured that I’d stay not only on track but ahead of the game.”
What a tough question. My favorite moment would probably have to be hiking the Azure Trial in Cinque Terre, Italy with fellow OU students while studying abroad in the Art and Artifice program. Spending part of my summer in 2019 with a small group of students in Arezzo and many other cities across Italy is easily one of my favorite experiences of all time and nothing will ever be able to replicate it.
My Project Threshold advisor, Scott Cady, has been by my side, every step of the way since day one, New Sooner Orientation Day, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Scott is one of the most patient and attentive people I’ve ever met and was so consistently and genuinely invested in me and my endeavors. He prioritizes each student he takes under his wing and always finds a way to meet their needs. He made me feel cared for and unconditionally supported. I owe much of my success to his guidance.
