Aaron Dennis

Aaron Dennis is an electrical engineering major from Palmer, Alaska

Hometown: Palmer, Alaska

Year: Expected graduation: 2025

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a software developer with a focus on video game development.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is electrical engineering. I chose this major after discovering my passion for working with electronics after being introduced to Arduino and Raspberry Pi by some friends at an old job.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I really enjoy meeting people from all walks of life on campus. I've made a lot of friends and acquaintances I hope to keep in contact with after my time at NIU.

How did the CHANCE Program help with your transition into NIU?
My CHANCE Program counselor, Lisa King, was very helpful in checking in with how I was doing during my first year at NIU. She was always motivating me, making sure I was studying and making sure her students had healthy habits.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I've made quite a few friends and study buddies from sharing similar classes. It's always apparent who shares the electrical engineering major with me, as the course schedule is pretty tight, so we always end up having two or three classes together each semester. This commonality makes a perfect reason to study and socialize with these students.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
As much as I'd like to be involved in some of the clubs and extracurriculars at NIU, I had to decide against it. Being a full-time student and having full-time employment, I don't have enough time in the day to excel at work and school and still provide meaningful input to clubs or organizations. Sadly, taking on additional responsibilities would likely reduce the quality of my efforts toward the responsibilities I already have.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you succeed? And how?
While I haven't utilized any tutoring or help centers, the NIU Engineering Building has plenty of resources to help me succeed. Professors have always been extra helpful, one in particular was Professor Miguel, who retired earlier this year. He was a great help for many of my projects and made the lab available for help.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
Being able to use the Honors Program area at the Campus Life Building has been helpful. I have gotten help from fellow honors students and also used the computer lab available.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
I enjoy the weekly updates with the survey questions, and I've met some great people through the program.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
To follow up on the previous section, I'd have to give this honor to Professor Miguel, who previously taught ELE 250 and was the 337 lab professor. He always provided insight, even if it was for projects outside of his classes. He helped guide me during some honors class projects and was overall a great professor.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I feel that by keeping my absences to a minimum, I have a good understanding of core concepts taught in class, and also am able to build a good working relationship with professors. By respecting the time they take to teach, I feel students earn their professors' respect in turn.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite place is the Holmes Student Center. There's socializing, studying, pool, coffee, food, bowling and more. Regardless of your passions and preferences, you'll find something to your liking at HSC.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
I would suggest to research what majors are offered, whether those programs are accredited and if it's somewhere you can explore your passions. If you love snow, you should go to college somewhere where it snows!

Why is a college education important to you?
As a first-generation college student, it's important to me to show my family members that with hard work and dedication, all of us could achieve a degree while working full time. On a personal level, I've always held education in high regard and wish to eventually pursue a master’s degree for my own personal and occupational fulfillment.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
Between working full time, maintaining my household and trying to maintain my GPA, I have very little free time. I use a Google calendar to manage my work and school schedule (which rarely leaves even eight hours for sleep) and life just has to fit in around those windows.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I rely on the email updates from the CEET, NIU Honors, the SWE, posters in the HSC and word of mouth to learn about what's happening on campus.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
My one day off of everything is Sunday, and even then, I usually only get about eight hours of free time a week due to working overnights. My escapes are the gym, which I fit in about four hours a week, and the occasional video game, to which I dedicate even less time.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I work as an industrial maintenance technician, where I maintain and repair machines that support logistics productivity: conveyors, sorters, balers and the like. Besides that, I also tinker with Arduino, Raspberry Pi and electronics, some of which I get as a byproduct of my work. I try to spend at least four hours a week lifting weights in the gym and play the occasional video game.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
If you give up on your journey, you'll never get to witness the destination.