Reflecting on Introduction to Honors 200 Intention Statements
I was accepted into the IU Indianapolis Honors College in August 2022 and was eager to build connections and take advantage of the opportunities available throughout my four years. One of my first experiences was Introduction to Honors 200, a First-Year Experience course required for all incoming Honors College scholars. The course encouraged me as a freshman to think intentionally about goal setting, involvement, and engagement, not only within the Honors College but also at the university and in the broader community. I was a second-semester freshman still exploring various opportunities and curious about what the next four years would look like. It gave me the chance to form meaningful connections and reflect on what it means to be an Honors student.
This highlights my growth by comparing my perspective as a first-year student to who I have become as a senior.
The scary news is...you’re on your own now. But the cool news is...you’re on your own now.”
Taylor Swift
Throughout my time here at IUPUI, I have set many goals for myself and who I want to become. Through this concept mapping, I discovered a little more about who I want to become.
Academically, I want to set high expectations for myself and maintain a high GPA. I want to be able to be proud of my accomplishments made whether that be scoring high on exams or doing my Honors Contract. My goal is to maintain close to a 4.0 in all my classes and push myself to take classes that will be challenging for me. With the classes I’m taking, I want to be able to apply that to myself in real life whether this be through an internship or research I am doing for a contract. Besides academics, I want to push myself to become a better person and get more involved in my school. Through this, I want to be able to join several organizations and get closer to people with similar interests as me. In these different organizations, I want to be able to eventually gain leadership positions. As well as I want to get closer to the community, I’m from and start volunteering at different organizations in Indianapolis.
I will accomplish all these goals by holding myself to high standards and setting goals throughout each semester on what I want to accomplish whether that be finding an internship or reaching out to the community to see if they need help. Overall, I want to continue to push myself and strive to do the best I can.
My Freshman Year Intention Statement
My Senior Year Intention Statement
My name is Brittany Crabtree, and I am a dedicated Public Safety Management student at Indiana University Indianapolis. I plan to continue my education by pursuing a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. My experiences in classes, internships, research, and volunteer work have deepened my commitment to making a positive impact.
I have taken part in several experiences that have shaped who I am and who I hope to become after graduation. As a research assistant, I strengthened my critical thinking and investigative skills through open-source research. These skills supported my academic work and prepared me for real-world opportunities, such as interning at the Emergency Operations Center during the Indiana State Fair and with the Marion County Emergency Management Agency. These experiences pushed me to keep learning and seeking out new ways to grow. In the summer of 2025, I had the opportunity to intern at my dream agency, FEMA Region IX in Los Angeles, as well as with the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. Working alongside professionals in both agencies confirmed my desire to build a long-term career in emergency management. These hands-on experiences showed me the importance of emergency planning and coordination in protecting and supporting communities during times of crisis.
Looking ahead, I am committed to building a career that serves communities and supports others along the way. Whether through public service, mentorship, or emergency response, I hope to continue making a difference wherever I go.
Reflecting Freshman to Senior Year
If someone had told my freshman year self-everything, I would go on to experience and accomplish, I would have been in complete shock and disbelief. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful to have made the most of my four years in undergrad. I’ve grown so much through my courses, instructors, friends, peers, internships, and the many opportunities I’ve taken part in. I was just recently a high school grad as I write my initial intention statement with only one semester of college and now I am writing this being a soon to be graduating senior.
One of my biggest goals entering college freshman year was to set high expectations for myself and maintain a strong GPA. I’m proud to say I’ve upheld that goal, maintaining a 3.9 GPA while also staying highly involved on campus. I’ve balanced rigorous coursework with my graduate-level courses, participated in several student organizations, internships, and work. These challenging courses have pushed me to think differently and grow academically and personally.
What I’ve learned in the classroom hasn’t stayed there. I’ve applied course concepts in my internships and research, earning honors credit and gaining valuable real-world experience. I’ve also focused on building strong connections across campus by staying engaged in student organizations and giving back to the community. One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been mentoring others. For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of guiding fellow students, and it has been incredible to watch them grow and find their own paths. Through these organizations, I’ve taken on leadership roles that have challenged me to step up, take initiative, and embrace new experiences. Reflecting on everything I’ve accomplished, I’m truly amazed at how far I’ve come. I’m excited for what lies ahead as I continue my education and oofficially begin my graduate program