A Beautiful Place to Call Home

Meet Katelynn Parton. Drawn to UVA Wise to study political science, Parton also plays on the women’s golf team, works in the College’s Writing Center, and will graduate early in December 2022, after which she hopes to attend Appalachian School of Law.

Q. What attracted you to UVA Wise?
A. I’m from Gate City, Va., and UVA Wise appealed to me initially because I could be semi-close to home. I want to stay in Southwest Virginia because I have a desire to serve my region. Young people are leaving this region and that’s a problem. We can’t grow this region if we don’t have our young people staying here. There are people here with lots of potential and, when we help them work toward it, they can achieve that potential.

Q. How is UVA Wise helping you along that journey?
A. I study political science and really enjoy talking to other people about their political views. In today’s world, politics feels like it divides people often, but I am very much a person who wants to understand others’ views. In Professor* Heather Evans’ class, The American Presidency, we are encouraged to talk to people and write about those experiences. In one project, we analyzed past presidential campaign ads, asking interviewees, “How did this ad make you feel? Does it make you want to vote, get more involved in politics, or follow the campaign trail?”

Through projects like this, my professors encourage me to dive into research, and form my own opinions and beliefs. Professor Evans has mentored me through my law school application, reached out to make connections for me, set me up with lawyers to talk about the profession and connected me with LSAT preparations.

Q. Where do you hope your UVA Wise education will take you?
A. I would love to work to bring more resources to public schools in SWVA. I went to public school here, and had a wonderful education, but I go to college with students from Northern Virginia who had more resources than my high school classmates and I did.

Later in life, I’d like to go into local politics, but I really don’t have major plans. I want to see what connections I can make, and don’t want to be close minded. With a UVA Wise education, I know there’s nothing I can’t do, so I’m excited to see what opportunities arise.

Q. It’s wonderful that you feel that way. Tell us about how you feel UVA Wise is preparing you so well.
A. I feel like I have endless resources here on campus. If I had any problem, I could find someone to help. I have never talked to anyone who didn’t want me to succeed. This semester I’ve been working in the Writing Center and I see it firsthand. Having this resource is so important. A student speaking to another student provides a sense of comfort and is different than a professor speaking to you about your writing.

I like greeting students saying, “Hey I’m Katelynn. What can I do for you?” They present their assignment and something they’ve already written. We tell them, “I can’t write this for you, but I can help you with grammar, style, citations, and other skills to help you.”

Q. Do you have a favorite thing about UVA Wise?
A. The people! I have yet to meet a person I don’t enjoy speaking with at UVA Wise. Everyone’s so friendly here. Usually, people know your name. Dr. Evans, Ms. Donna Hale and even the athletic director say hello to me every time they see me.

I also love chicken alfredo day in the dining hall and the dessert in Smith Dining Commons never disappoints: fantastic, always-soft cookies, cakes and cupcakes.

Q. What’s your favorite UVA Wise tradition?
A. I had a great experience during Welcome Week. I enjoyed getting to know people, and how easy it was to find things to do here.

Q. What do you enjoy about life on campus or in Southwest Virginia region?
A. I keep pretty busy with classes and playing golf, but going to High Knob Tower is such a cool experience. When you grow up in this region, you don’t appreciate beautiful things like our mountains. Going to college with students from Virginia Beach and northern Virginia, who don’t get to experience our mountains regularly, has a huge positive impact. Their appreciation reminds me what a beautiful place we have to call home.

Q. What would you say to a prospective student considering UVA Wise?
A. Not to be corny, but I would tell them the possibilities really are endless. If you involve yourself, you’ll find something for you, including your academic passion and your people. Often times when you become friends with people you didn’t know, you’ll discover what you really do enjoy.

*Heather Evans serves as the John Morton Beaty Endowed Chair in Political Science.