Student Spotlight: Lauren Best ’24

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.  

Lauren Best ’24 is from Nottingham, New Hampshire, and is majoring in Secondary Education and English. She is minoring in creative writing and Philosophy and Ethics. She also has a high school English teaching license and has multiple undergraduate professional endorsements including Adventure Sports Coaching, Leadership, Non-Profit Management, and Organizational Management.

Lauren Best ’24

What brought you to Saint Michael’s College?  

I chose Saint Michael’s College for the genuine campus community. On my campus tour, I could see myself getting involved with extracurricular programs and enjoying the small class sizes. I could see myself enjoying my English and Creative Writing classes where professors go above and beyond to make positive connections with their students. I chose St. Mike’s because I could see myself being happy on campus and waking up each day excited to be a member of the Purple Knight community. 

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

I spend my time heavily engaged in clubs and on-campus programs. I find each day enjoyable because I’m able to spend quality time with friends and peers through the programs I’m engaged with. On campus, I’m a member of the Dance Team and President of the Honors Program. I’m a MOVE CORE Team Leader for Special Events, Service Trip, Juntos, and Middle School Mentors. In the Adventure Sports Center, I’m a hiking and paddle sport instructor, and I manage the Center’s social media. I’m also a tour guide and manage the social media for Founder’s Society. I’m one of the program leaders for Go Baby Go and a Class of 2024 Senator in the Student Government Association. In addition to being a Purposeful Learning peer mentor, I’m a peer tutor, peer notetaker, peer grader, and work in the Office of Admissions, the Academic Enrichment Commons, and the MOVE Office. 

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

My favorite thing about the academic experience at Saint Michael’s is the flexibility of my education and freedom of choice in my education. I sincerely appreciate double majoring and double minoring because the plethora of courses in my fields of study have provided me with many experiences for reflective thinking that contributed to my liberal arts education. My majors and minors reflect what career I want to go into and what I’m passionate about and interested in. As an education major, I genuinely appreciate being in a classroom on day one to build my classroom experience. I feel prepared to make a positive change in the world! 

What is your favorite thing to do on campus?  

My favorite thing to do on campus is lead trips with the Adventure Sports Center. My time as a hiking and paddle sport instructor in the Adventure Sports Center has allowed me to practice my leadership skills while exploring the beautiful backcountry of Vermont. I have had the opportunity to recreate in the outdoors and try new sports I had never tried before. I learned I love skiing, I love kayaking on Lake Champlain, and I love hiking up Camel’s Hump. I have formed friendships with fellow instructors and made life-changing memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

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

After graduating from St. Mike’s, my plan is to temporarily move to Knoxville, Tennessee, and become a high school English Language Arts teacher for a couple of years. After that, I hope to move back to New England and find a high school English Language Arts teaching job! Teaching is the career I’m passionate about because of the ways I can support and impact the future leaders of the world. Students are bright and insightful, and I look forward to sharing my passion for literature in a deeply meaningful and fun way with students. My education at Saint Michael’s has taught me to prioritize the individual student and their learning path while being kind and respectful.