Name: Cristina Peña

Age: 24

Hometown: Mexico

High school: Dalton High School

Major: Biology

Expected graduation date: Fall 2016

Why did you choose Dalton State? I chose Dalton State because it was close to home and affordable.

What do you plan to do after graduation? I am still trying to figure that out. Most likely study for the GRE and start applying to graduate school.

Who is/was your favorite professor and why? Dr. Kim Hays. She has offered me many opportunities, like helping catalog the shell collection we received, and she gave me that opportunity soon after meeting me. She gives me a confidence boost! I loved ecotoxicology; I learned so much from that class. She has a great teaching style.

What activities are you involved in on campus? SACNAS

What are some of your favorite activities in and around Dalton? Fall family festival, basketball games, science career panel - pretty much everything.

Where is your favorite study spot? Library

What is the last book you read? “The Alchemist”

Favorite comfort food? Rice and beans

Favorite line from a movie? “Merry Christmas ya filthy animal!”

What cheers you up? My dog

What is your favorite book? Of all the books I have read, it is hard to just choose one.

What is your favorite childhood memory? Holidays with my family.

If you could go back in history, who would you like to meet? Family members

Where is your favorite place to eat? Panera

What did you want to be when you were a kid? Teacher

What does it mean to you to be part of the Roadrunner Nation? Being part of Roadrunner Nation means having the opportunity to get involved on campus and not just being another student. Professors are always willing to help you in any way they can and truly care about their students. I am glad I chose DSC because there are many research opportunities to get involved in. Seeing the campus grow has been great. I am glad I got to be a part of it.