Alexis Hahn of Leominster, Mass., came to GCU with the intent of becoming a marine biologist. But she soon realized, after interacting with all the teaching staff on campus, that what she was most passionate about was becoming a teacher.
“The biggest thing I learned was how passionate all the professors here are about their fields,” she explained. “I want to be like that as a teacher and hopefully inspire students to learn more about a topic.”
Alexis, who is a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry, also credits her professors with allowing her to have hands-on experience in the science field, an opportunity she says she wouldn’t have access to at a larger institution. She currently conducts research with a team of professors on nematodes, studying these worms and how microplastics affect them.
“We presented the research at GCU’s Academic Excellence Day and will also be presenting in Atlantic City at the end of May. To be able to spearhead a research project like that was huge,” noted Alexis. who was recently named the recipient of the Victoria Spohn Scholarship which is awarded to an outstanding GCU Biology student.
Alexis is also an athlete, having played varsity field hockey and ice hockey in high school, and was thrilled to be part of the lacrosse team since her freshman year. Her skill has been recognized numerous times, including being named the CACC Goalie of the Year for the 2023 season (she also received this in 2021), and she has played on the All-CACC First Team twice, on the CACC all-academic team.
Being at GCU afforded her the opportunity to be at a highly competitive sports university and receive a great education. GCU’s GCU Athletic Department just named her the Scholar Athlete of the Year Award for 2022-2023 for her combined stellar 3.94 GPA and her athletic accomplishments.
After graduation, Alexis hopes to teach high school biology and has been applying for her first teaching job. She has also applied to receive a master’s in education to further her skills.
Whatever she pursues, Alexis said GCU helped her grow as a person and teach her self-confidence and independence.
“Leaving here, I found more of who I am, and my purpose in life,” said Alexis. “GCU and my professors helped me figure out what I’m meant to do.”
