Amanda Fanelli, Assistant features editor 

Utica College attracts students from all over the country. Jennifer Melvin, from Sacramento, California is a sophomore here at UC majoring in accounting. She graduated from Mesa Verde High School in Citrus Heights, California and has two sisters, a brother, a niece and a nephew.

Melvin lived in California her entire life and knew that when it came time to choose a college she wanted to go far from home.

“I was very interested in the East Coast,” Melvin said.

Melvin found out about UC from a webpage called Naviance. UC was one of the schools that Naviance matched her with.

“You can put in the state you want, your GPA, major and some other information and it matches you up with schools,” Melvin said. “I really liked everything that UC had to offer.”

Melvin started her freshman year as a health studies major and then switched to undergraduate studies before becoming an accounting major.

“I really like numbers and I am very good at math. It comes easy to me,” Melvin said.

Here at UC Melvin is very involved in campus life. She is the treasurer for the Residence Hall Association, a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), a sister of Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Vice President of the Accounting Society. Melvin also interns in the registrar’s office, and starting the fall of 2016 she will be a residence assistant.

“I live on campus in the Burrstone House and I will live on campus in the fall as an RA in Burrstone House as well,” Melvin said.

She admits that at first it was very nerve-wracking for her to come to UC.

“I did come all the way form California and I did not know anyone, but getting involved in organizations on campus has really changed my perspective and the experience I have had at UC so far,” Melvin said.

Being involved on campus gives students a chance to meet new people and create relationships that can last a lifetime. Melvin also said she enjoys traveling. She also likes to go hiking and be out in the sun.

“I love to travel, I have been to six different states,” Melvin said.

Amanda Nardozzi, a senior public relation major, met Melvin through her sorority.

“She is actually my little sister, which just means that I took her under my wing in Theta Phi Alpha and I am there for her for anything she needs,” Nardozzi said.

Nardozzi said that Melvin is hard-working and driven with everything she does, and believes these qualities will help Melvin succeed in her future.

“When she gets involved with something, she will personally make sure that it not only gets done, but she will also go above and beyond what is expected,” Nardozzi said.

What Nardozzi wants people to know about Melvin is that she is a very kind and caring person, and she will go out of her way to help others in any way that she can if they need her.