Ryley Zawada, a junior majoring in elementary education with a concentration in English would ultimately like to travel because she enjoys learning about other cultures and thinks it would be wonderful to teach the English language in other countries. Just last year, she began courses at Purdue to complete her Master's in Building Level Administrator License. Her future goals could see her become a principal or superintendent someday.

Outside of classes, Zawada loves to be involved on campus. She is part of Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life, and is a member of the Order of Omega, which is a leadership honors society that recognizes high-achieving students in scholarship, leadership and involvement in the Purdue community. Zawada is also the president of Kappa Delta Pi, which is an international honors society for educators in the College of Education. She’s also a part of Purdue Aspiring Educators, which offers professional development opportunities and hands-on education experience, and partners with the Indiana State Teacher’s Association. She is also on the College of Education’s Student Council, which works closely with the Purdue Student Government. Zawada is especially proud of having been chosen as one of the first students to receive the Posse Foundation scholarship. This scholarship is based out of New York and provides full-tuition scholarships from Posse’s partner colleges and universities. She said the scholarship application process required a staggering 10 hours of interviews!

Zawada says being a teacher is the greatest way she can make an impact. In her spare time, she enjoys serving as a substitute teacher. She currently works with a third-grade Spanish student to help him learn how to read and write in English. She says she cannot imagine how hard it would be to be a third grader entering a new school where you don’t know the language – especially at an advanced level with standardized testing. Zawada has been amazed at her student’s progress in just three weeks. He is now starting to read books, improve his reading and writing skills, and gain confidence in himself.

As the vice president of the Girl Empowerment Volunteer Club, Zawada has helped Purdue Posse with their efforts with the ACE Campus Food Pantry and volunteered with Girls on the Run, helping girls build confidence and instill healthy exercise techniques. These opportunities have helped Zawada build her sense of impact in the community. She relates that the best part is when kids approach her after an event, hug her and thank her.

Zawada says her mom built the foundation for her to grow her leadership skills. Zawada’s mother is a very independent person who works in human resource management. Zawada looked to her mom as a role model and drew from her experience to be elected captain of her varsity high school dance team, where she was responsible for helping to develop and lead the junior varsity team members. This was her first major leadership role. From there, Zawada fell in love with leadership and was inspired to teach others.

While Zawada knows arriving on campus can be a rough transition, she recommends students push themselves to get out of their rooms and join clubs – especially if they are coming to Purdue from another state or country. While Zawada acknowledges that this can be easier said than done, she encourages students to look at posters around campus and pick something they’re interested in. The first club Zawada joined was the Bonsai Tree Club. Today, she participates in numerous clubs that are directly connected to her major but encourages students to pick something from outside their field of study to have the chance to meet other students on campus.

To take care of her well-being, Zawada loves skin care, such as using face masks. When it’s nice outside, she enjoys taking walks with her 130-pound golden retriever – who thinks he’s small. Enjoying the fresh air by sitting outside also helps her enjoy the fresh air, even when she needs to get homework done.

To build her network, Zawada leaned into her professors and understood they were there to help her. She recommends other students do the same and says that building a network can help maintain connections even when you don’t see someone every day.

If you want to add Zawada to your network, connect with her on LinkedIn.