Mckenzie Swindle

Major: Applied Atmospheric Science (BS), Psychology (BA), English (BA), Religious Studies (Multidisciplinary Studies, BA)

Minor: Geology, Physics

Also earning: Geographic Information Science (GIS)

What led you to choose your major? Having grown up in Mississippi with frequent severe storms and tornadoes, I’ve been excited about meteorology since I was very young. In addition to my love for weather, I developed several other academic passions early in life – psychology, linguistics, religion, geology, and physics – and these translated to additional majors and minors throughout my academic journey at ECU. I’m often asked why I decided to major and minor in such seemingly unrelated subjects, but each one plays a role in making me a better atmospheric scientist and researcher. English ensures I will have strong communication and analytical skills, both of which are vital to research. Both psychology and religious studies have helped me become more open-minded and understanding of others’ behaviors and perspectives, and both have also sharpened my interpersonal skills and taught me how to respectfully navigate differences of opinion. Physics and geology contribute directly to my research interests within atmospheric and Earth science, as does my GIS certificate. All these areas of study are helping me to become the well-rounded scientist I have always dreamed of being.

What are your plans after you graduate? I will be attending graduate school in Fall 2025 to earn my Master’s degree in geoscience, as well as working as an academic tutor.

What are your long-term career goals? I plan to earn doctoral degrees in both atmospheric science and neuropsychology. My ultimate career goal is to work in atmospheric and Earth science research, with part-time work in neuropsychology.

What has been your favorite thing about the Department? I will always treasure the amazing interactions I had with my professors and the wisdom and guidance they shared with me. Additionally, a favorite experience of mine was being elected President of the department’s AMS Club, a position I held for over a year and through the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. That was a fantastic learning experience in leadership and resilience.

Fun Fact about you:  In my junior year, I was chosen to be the substitute instructor for one of my own classes while my professor was out of town. It was such a fun experience!