Whittier native Jaimis Ulrich ’15 took a nontraditional path to finish her college education. A transfer student from Mt. San Antonio College and Rio Hondo College, her educational journey has so far spanned 10 years.
“During the time I was not in school, I toured with my rock band called Crossed Keys while also working at Starbucks, but the most fulfilling role I had outside of work and music was my role as the primary caregiver for my grandmother during her last stages of lung cancer,” said Ulrich.
In 2013, after taking care of her family, Ulrich decided to put her music career on hold, hang up her Starbucks apron, and search for a new opportunity at Whittier College.
Ulrich decided to major in anthropology and sociology but most importantly, she convinced herself to do everything in her power to make the most of her undergraduate experience. During her short time at Whittier, she was a freshman writing mentor and transfer student mentor, worked for KPOET Radio, was president of the anthropology /sociology club, helped start the Transfer Student Association, she pledged and became an Ionian, toured Hawaii with the choir, she became a Mellon Mays Undergraduate (MMUF) fellow, worked for professors in biology, sociology and social work, volunteered for the Acropolis yearbook, played “Motor Mouth Maybelle” in Hairspray, received Dean’s List honors, presented her research at seven academic conferences, and was inducted into four honors societies.
But the experience that had the most impact came from her interest in her minor in religious studies. Ulrich had the opportunity to take to study abroad course Sacred Spaces in Myanmar with Dr. Jason Carbine. Her first trip to Asia also gave her the chance to visit numerous sacred sites, monasteries, and pagodas. Not only was her trip an educational experience, but it was a religious and spiritual one as well.
“The spiritual aspect of the trip was incredible,” said Ulrich. “We learned so much by listening to a monk tell us how to live a life filled with loving kindness and compassion, how to face sickness and death gracefully, how to love unconditionally, and how to maintain a healthy spiritual and physical lifestyle through meditation,” added Ulrich.
When asked why she decided to attend Whittier, she said that Whittier is a diamond in the rough.
“People often do not realize everything this school has to offer, said Ulrich. “The real question is, why not Whittier?”
Ulrich plans to pursue a master’s in public health after graduation.
