Evion Nigh, an outstanding graduate of the School of Education at Colorado State University, is finishing his undergraduate degree in family and consumer sciences having developed in a professional capacity and personally.
Growing up in a military family, Nigh frequently moved around the country with his family, but soon settled down in Denver, Colorado, and eventually chose CSU to stay near his family, and to experience Fort Collins.
“CSU is a large campus with a bunch of diverse, amazing people and opportunities for me to find my passion,” Nigh said. “Fort Collins has a lot to explore and enjoy both outdoors and in the city.”
Once at CSU, Nigh pushed through many challenges in his academic career, eventually finding success in a wide range of roles and activities inside and outside his studies in the family and consumer sciences major.
Overcoming early obstacles
Entering CSU during the fall semester of 2020, Nigh was met with the immediate challenge of navigating college life through the COVID-19 Pandemic. For Nigh, the biggest detriment to his life was a lack of socialization, due to lockdown procedures limiting interaction with other students and faculty, as well as halting social activities.
He also found this lifestyle change to be a challenge for someone of his background, as he was used to having to forge brand new connections each time his family moved.
“Trying to navigate life and college during social distancing and isolation was a difficult and lonely experience. I did not make any friends or do much of anything social on-campus,” Nigh said. “I feel like the pandemic exacerbated my social anxiety.”
Despite these early obstacles, Nigh has emerged from the experience with stronger social skills, now feeling confident participating in group activities.
Helping him through his academic career were the mentors he bonded with in organizations like Community for Excellence (C4E) and the Family and Consumer Sciences program.
In C4E, Nigh met with Myanne Hamm, grant coordinator and student counselor, who helped him find resources and provided multiple modes of support.
“I started out very reserved and apprehensive during our online encounters but have grown to be very appreciative of Myanne’s efforts to provide me with resources, information, and emotional support throughout these four years.”
Nigh’s academic adviser, Dawn Mallette, associate professor in the School of Education, helped him with his academic plan and guided him through his degree path. Nigh described her as, “so considerate and encouraging to her students.”
Success in many places
Nigh connected with community and opportunity in multiple avenues beyond his major.
For half of his academic career, Nigh worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant for the Department of Computer Science, assisting students and the instructor in Personal Computing as well as helping with the operation of the computer lab.
Nigh is also a member of the Water Fellowship Program, provided by the Colorado Water Center, giving him more insight into the water sector and the opportunity to attend the Colorado Water Congress.
Additionally, Nigh has completed training to be a peer educator for Creating Respect, Educating Wellness (by and for) Students, otherwise known as CREWS, at CSU.
“CREWS peer educators strive to foster well-being among CSU students by informing them about sexual health, alcohol consumption, and cannabis consumption,” Nigh said. “We run programs, give out informational resources, and provide sexual health products across campus to promote the safety of our peers.”
Self-reflection and moving forward
In anticipation of graduating summa cum laude in May, Nigh looks back on his time at CSU, which led him to make significant strides in his personal and professional development, having learned more about his environment, as well as himself.
Nigh is focusing his future on jobs centered around community engagement and outreach. In addition, Nigh is considering continuing his education at CSU as a graduate student.
Regardless of where his career may take him, Nigh noted that he’ll miss all the opportunities, people, and resources he interacted with at CSU, as well as the events held by CSU where he got to see some of the most prominent researchers and leaders in Family Consumer Sciences across the nation.
Nigh is grateful for his accomplishments and his involvement in many opportunities at CSU.
“I am proud of all of the opportunities to be involved that I have given a chance,” said Nigh. “Most of all, I am proud of the diligence and dedication I put into my education. I really feel like I made my time in academia count.”
The Family and Consumer Sciences program is in the School of Education, part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
