Quiara Dunson

Quiara Dunson

I am from Joliet, IL, about 45 minutes south of Chicago. I learned about UWA when I was being recruited for volleyball. After narrowing down my list of colleges, I realized I wanted to play at a smaller school where I could balance academics and athletics. What drew me to UWA was the atmosphere and the people! Although very different from Chicago, I fell in love with the size of the campus and found comfort in seeing people I knew every day! As a student, I was involved in multiple activities and organizations, such as Varsity Volleyball, various Honor Societies, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Intramural Sports, being a Freshmen Orientation leader, and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology on a Criminal Justice track. Being able to give back and help out at the school that became my second home means the world to me, and I am excited to work with incoming students!

Favorite Place on Campus:  

My two favorite places on campus are Pruitt Hall and Lake LU. I spent so much time at Pruitt Hall playing the sport that I love, which ultimately brought me to UWA! Gamedays were always fun, and having the support of students and the community was incredible! Lake LU was my safe space. Whether it was a yoga session, a walk on the trails, or doing homework on one of the picnic tables, Lake LU was my go-to spot!

Favorite UWA Tradition: 

My favorite UWA tradition is Homecoming Week. It is always a time when you see everyone, students and community members, come together and have a ton of UWA pride!

What I love most about UWA is the people! Everyone was warm and inviting, making it easier for me to be far away from home.

Piece of Advice for Prospective Students:

Find a balance between academics and having fun. Take a leap of faith, join clubs or organizations, and make new friends. However, still prioritize your studies and get good at time management. Sometimes you will stay back to study and finish assignments while everyone else goes out. THAT IS PERFECTLY OKAY!