Student Spotlight: Ayla Frenkiewich

The Student Spotlight Series is a new feature to highlight Saint Michael’s students’ lives in all corners of campus. Students’ answers have been lightly edited for style and clarity.  

Ayla Frenkiewich ’26 is from New London, New Hampshire, and is majoring in Biochemistry.

What brought you to Saint Michael’s College? 

I think what brought me to Saint Michael’s was a combination of the beauty, size and location. The first time I was on the campus it was pouring rain, but even through the rain I could tell how beautiful the campus was. I love the vines that climb the academic buildings and the closed campus. The size was perfect for me. Large enough that I could grow but not so big that I got lost. I also love Vermont. I am a big outdoors person and the easy access to hiking and skiing is great.  

Where do people see you on campus? (What are you involved in? How do you spend your time?) 

 I am a rock climbing instructor with the Adventure Sports Center. I also am part of knitting club and spend a lot of time in the MakerSpace doing all sorts of arts and crafts. As of recently, I am working on building fairy houses and placing them throughout Gilbrook. 

What is your favorite thing about the academic experience at St. Mike’s? 

 My favorite thing about the academic experience here is all the cool experiments I have been able to do in my lab classes. One of my all-time favorites is the luminol & chemiluminescence experiment from Orgo 1 lab where we created a compound that glowed in the dark.  

What is your favorite thing to do on campus?  

My favorite thing to do on campus when I am not doing homework is go to the MakerSpace and craft. I am learning how to sew on a sewing machine for the first time and even made my Halloween costume. I also like to build fairy houses and embroider. The MakerSpace is a great place to go to get away from schoolwork for a few hours and embrace my creative side.  

How are you hoping your St. Mike’s education will prepare you for the future? (Do you have after-graduation plans?) 

I’m hoping that my Saint Michael’s experience will prepare me with good communication skills, lab skills, and knowledge to continue my education further. I would like to continue my education after undergrad. I am thinking about pursuing a PhD or going to med school. Both seem very interesting, but I am keeping my options open and waiting to see where life takes me. 

If you want to suggest a student to be profiled as part of the Student Spotlight Series, email news@smcvt.edu.