Kieran Stenson

Honors student Kieran Stenson engages in the FSU community by serving as a mentor for incoming freshmen and conducting research. Stenson is an IDEA Grant recipient and an Engage 100 leader. He finds joy in supporting students and guiding them to research opportunities.

Why did you choose to attend FSU?

FSU was the first university I toured that felt right. The campus was beautiful, and I was impressed by the plethora of opportunities and programs offered to undergraduates. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, the University Honors Program, Engage 100 and InternFSU—all these programs piqued my interest and showed me that FSU was an institution that offered its students the chance to make something of their college experience. The campus culture was also welcoming and felt alive in a way that other universities did not. In many ways, FSU just seemed like the right place to be for me.

What is your most significant academic achievement?

The biggest research project I have undertaken during my time at FSU has been my thesis. Working with professor Jonathan Grant, I have spent the better part of a year writing my undergraduate thesis, which analyzes the rhetoric of the Polish Constitution of 1791. It has been a fantastic experience, as I received an IDEA Grant and spent five months in Poland conducting research.

Another remarkable experience I’ve had at FSU was teaching an Engage 100 course with professor Claudia Liebeskind for incoming freshmen interested in history. Being an Engage 100 leader was a fantastic way to learn from an experienced educator and work on my lesson planning and classroom management skills. These experiences, and many others, have been pivotal during my time at FSU.

How have you served your community outside of FSU?

Outside the classroom, one of my favorite contributions to my community has been serving on the editorial board for the Florida Undergraduate Research Journal. This volunteer experience taught me about the process of editing and publishing papers for a research journal. Furthermore, it was immensely rewarding to help fellow undergraduates publish their research. It was a highly rewarding and beneficial experience for everyone involved.

How have you made an impact on the FSU community?

I have contributed to FSU through my work as a peer mentor and an honors colloquium leader. Through these mentorship opportunities, I have educated incoming freshmen about the opportunities offered to FSU students and help guide them through their first semester of college. I believe incoming students benefit from having an experienced undergraduate to use as a resource, and I have tried to be that for my students.

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