Scholarship recipient Rachel Zimmer is a special education major from Orland Park. She is set to graduate in 2027 and received the Hunkler-Stagen Endowed Teaching Scholarship this fall.
A highlight of Zimmer’s college career involves the opportunity to meet new, amazing, and loving people with whom she has developed great friendships in both her program and throughout Illinois State.
Currently, Zimmer is navigating her first year at Illinois State and with the challenges brought on, she’s actively searching for resources on campus to help her success in her courses.
“College will take you a while to settle in and become aware of what it is that you truly need in order to succeed. I suggest going to tutoring if you’re struggling in a class and you desperately need help because you feel that you won’t be able to pass it without the help of someone that’s experienced in the class and knows what they’re doing. Get as many resources as you can because that will help you in the long run,” said Zimmer
Outside of her classes, Zimmer goes to the campus recreation center with her friends to stay physically healthy. To help boost her mood, Zimmer recommends listening to “Good Days” by SZA. “It makes me think of all the positives in life with the catchy tune. I love to spread good energy throughout the people I come in contact with on a daily basis and this song brings out the positive energy for me that I feel that some people might need occasionally,” said Zimmer.
Receiving the Hunkler-Stagen Endowed Teaching Scholarship has had a positive impact on Zimmer’s academic journey, which has enabled her to dream about her future as a special education teacher. Zimmer envisions the future students she will have the privilege of watching grow both physically and emotionally and she is excited to be a small part of their journey.
“I would like to thank the people who decided to grant this amazing scholarship to me. This scholarship has been my motivation to strive to continue to be the best student that I can be and grow throughout college to become a future educator,” said Zimmer.
