Vitoria Andrade Carnier ’23

2021-22 Lee Howard Siegel ’85 Scholarship Recipient
This scholarship recognizes your accomplishments and overall performance as a student at Lake Forest College studying history.

Vitoria Andrade Carnier ’23

What is your major and/or minor? Educational Studies

What attracted you to Lake Forest College? Why did you choose to become a Forester? When I was in high school looking for colleges, I made a list of everything that I considered important in a college. This list included my majors, student-to-faculty ratio, having a significant international community, good financial aid, and having a great location. When I learned about Lake Forest, I was amazed to find everything I was looking for in one place—and after that, I had no doubts about becoming a Forester!

What are you most looking forward to this academic year? After being away from the classroom for so long due to the pandemic, I am excited to be back with my professors and peers in person. I really value the interactions we have during classes. I think that is the way I best learn. I am also looking forward to doing my senior studies because I will be exploring topics I am really passionate about!

What has been your favorite class so far and why? My favorite class so far has been HIST 300: The Historian's Workshop with Dr. Courtney Joseph. In this class, I learned about different schools of historical thought and could reflect on the purpose and value of studying history in today's world. My favorite part of the course was learning about oral history and doing my final project on it. This experience was extremely valuable to me because I discovered a new way of utilizing history to give voice to the violence experienced by many people around the world and bring justice to groups who were marginalized and excluded from the main narratives throughout history.

Have you participated in any research projects, or are you interested in doing a study abroad program or the College's In The Loop Chicago Program? I was a Richter scholar during Summer 2020. I participated in an exploratory study of trends and developments of wealth and income inequality in the U.S. using a data set of household wealth from 1962 to 2015, advised by Assistant Professor of Finance Muris Hadzic.

For spring 2022, I studied abroad at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado in São Paulo, Brazil. As the fourth-largest city in the world and the largest city in the southern hemisphere, São Paulo has a lot of opportunities for cultural exchange and also for my professional growth. I expanded my knowledge in Latin American politics and economy during the program and took advantage of their arts and culture courses.

For fall 2022, I applied for the College's In The Loop Chicago Program because I want to experience life in the city and hopefully be able to get an internship to put into practice everything I have been learning in college thus far.

Do you plan on participating in any athletics, intramurals, or clubs? I have been part of the Rugby Club since freshman year.

After graduating from Lake Forest College, what do you hope to accomplish? I am very passionate about DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) work and the impact it can have on people and communities. For the past five years, I have dedicated myself to projects and initiatives that aim to empower people from marginalized groups and fight against different types of injustices. My career goal is to use my position of privilege to create meaningful changes for underrepresented groups within the workplace.

What is your favorite spot on campus to take a break and relax? My favorite spot on campus is near the trees in the Middle Campus Quad. That is usually where my friends and I put our hammocks up when it's warm outside.

What are some of your interests outside of studies? I really enjoy being outdoors, close to nature, and exploring new places in the city. I like rollerblading and cycling when the weather is nice. I volunteer as an English teacher back home, and I really like journaling.

Share something that you are proud of or are really good at. I have been training in aerial silks for the past few years despite being scared of heights.

Thank you so much for your support!

Right now, this is my fifth scholarship over the past ten years. It was thanks to people like you who believed that education could transform lives that I currently stand where I am. I really appreciate your support in making this dream come true. When I was growing up, I never imagined I would one day be in the United States for college. I always loved learning and really wanted to go abroad to study and broaden my understanding of the world, but it was way too far from my reality. So, I am beyond grateful to be here doing everything I do.

Currently, I am a student representative in the College Council, the Student Academic Advisory Council for History, and the Curricular Policies Committee as well as the vice president of the empowerment group for Latinas on campus. I have been previously involved with Student Government as the chair of the Campus Affairs Committee and a hall senator as well as with the Intercultural Advisory Group and the Global Student Organization. Last summer I coordinated our pre-orientation program for new students joining the College, and I make sure I am always participating in the events organized by our community.

I am very passionate about DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) work and the impact it can have on people and communities, so I make sure I am always aware and involved in our DEI initiatives. I hope one day I will be able to help other people to discover new possibilities through education, like other people did for me, and like you are doing for me right now.

Once again, thank you for making this dream come true!

Kind regards,
Vitoria Andrade Carnier