Confidence Through Community

For Nina DeGuzman ’27, choosing the right college meant finding a place where she could build meaningful relationships, grow as a leader and prepare for a career that makes a difference. At Elmhurst University, she found all three.

A double major in English and secondary education with a language arts concentration, the Geneva, Illinois, native hopes to become a middle school English teacher. Throughout her time on campus, she has discovered that the same welcoming, supportive community that drew her to Elmhurst has helped her become more confident—in the classroom, as a campus leader and as a future educator.

Choosing a Place That Felt Like Home

DeGuzman hadn’t always imagined herself at a small university. While participating in her high school’s chapter of Educators Rising, she visited another small college and realized that a close-knit campus community was exactly what she was looking for.

As she researched colleges with strong teacher education programs, Elmhurst quickly rose to the top of her list. She had heard consistently positive things about the University’s education program and graduate outcomes, and after meeting Elmhurst representatives at her high school, she scheduled a campus visit.

Even though she toured the campus in the winter during January Term, she knew she had found the right fit.

“It felt very comfortable and homey,” she says. “I also knew that Elmhurst’s small class sizes would be good for me. I wanted my professors to get to know me and to build relationships with them. I really thrive on those closer connections.”

Living just a 30-minute train ride from home was also appealing, offering her the opportunity to live on campus while remaining close enough to visit family on weekends.

Growing Into a Leader

One of DeGuzman’s most transformative experiences at Elmhurst has been serving as a resident advisor (RA) in Cureton Hall for her junior and senior years.

Inspired by her own first-year RA, she applied for the position during her sophomore year, hoping to become more involved on campus while developing the leadership skills she knew would benefit her future classroom.

In addition to easing some of the financial burden of college by covering the cost of campus housing, being an RA has introduced DeGuzman to a supportive community of fellow student leaders.

“I’ve made so many friends because of the (RA) training program,” she says. “The community has opened me up and made living on campus even more fun because I’ve built so many connections.”

The experience has also expanded her perspective. Instead of spending most of her time with English and education majors, she now counts students studying psychology, nursing and pre-law among her closest friends. “It’s been really nice learning about other people’s passions and fields of study,” she says.

Gaining Skills Through Service

Serving as an RA has challenged DeGuzman in ways she didn’t expect. Balancing academics, leadership responsibilities and a busy social life requires strong time management skills. And, as a naturally shy person, she also had to become more comfortable initiating conversations, leading events and helping residents feel connected.

Those experiences have directly strengthened the skills she’ll use as a teacher. “Being an RA has helped me feel more confident,” she says. “I’ve become better at projecting my voice, being more comfortable as an authority figure and being mindful of other people’s experiences.”

Creating an inclusive residence hall community has also shaped her teaching philosophy. “I want my future classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable and supported, because that’s where they learn best,” she says.

Embracing Diversity

DeGuzman believes one of Elmhurst’s greatest strengths is its welcoming and diverse campus community. “It’s nice when you come to college and get out of your little bubble,” she says. “There are students from so many different places and backgrounds. It’s such a cool place.”

She enjoys encouraging her residents to attend campus events that expose them to new perspectives and conversations because, as she has learned through those experiences, education extends far beyond the classroom.

Getting Involved Across Campus

Outside of her coursework, DeGuzman has embraced numerous ways to get involved on campus.

She serves as membership chair for Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society, and is active in Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society. She is also secretary of Elmhurst’s new chapter of Let’s Get Ahead, a nonprofit organization focused on expanding equitable access to education through mentoring, tutoring and community partnerships.

In addition, she has worked as both a life coach for students in the Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy and a summer peer advisor, helping incoming first-year students prepare for their first semester.

She also traveled to Ghana for a J-Term study abroad course, Comparative Education in Ghana, with education professor Kwadwo Oppong-Wadie.

This fall, she’s excited to return to the University choir after taking a year off. She’s been part of a choir for more than 10 years, typically performing in the alto section. “I love to sing and I can’t wait to get back to it, even if only for a semester because I will have student teaching in the spring,” she says.

Preparing to Make a Difference

DeGuzman’s passion for teaching began long before college. Inspired by her mother, a former preschool teacher who emphasized the importance of learning in and outside the classroom, she always knew she wanted to work with children. During high school, an AP English class helped her discover her love for language arts.

In the future, she hopes to teach middle school students in grades 6-8. “I want to help students develop their writing and see how they interact or engage with books, and how their identities and beliefs impact their relationship with what they read,” she says.

She credits faculty mentors, including Oppong-Wadie and English professors Nicholas Behm, Bridget O’Rourke, Ann Frank Wake and Maria Capecchi, with helping her believe in herself and her abilities.

“I really feel like all of my professors care about our education,” she says. “They want us to succeed, and because of the small classes, they get to know us personally.”

Looking back, DeGuzman says the relationships she has built—with professors, classmates and friends—have made her college experience especially meaningful. She encourages other students to make the effort to connect with others.

“Get out of your room and get involved,” she says. “Making those connections will help you feel less lonely, and you’ll get so much more out of your college experience. Try new things, live in the moment and be flexible.”

For DeGuzman, a willingness to try new things has given her access to a community that has challenged her, supported her and prepared her to become the inclusive, compassionate educator she hopes to be.

Go Far. Do Well. Visit elmhurst.edu/Admission to take the first step toward your future.