Student Ambassador Spotlight: Naveen McDermott

Meet WWU’s recent student ambassador, Naveen McDermott. Naveen is a Journalism Major and a Computer Science Minor, who is passionate about the community at WWU. He loves how accepting and creative everyone is, and it reminds him of all the amazing people he met through theater in his home town. Along with a strong passion for Scrabble, Naveen loves the idea of hosting a radio show after he graduates, hoping to entertain and inform the public.

Why did you choose Western?
I love the Western community, and the local environment. I also wanted to go somewhere different than where I’m from, so I can more easily explore new opportunities and ideas.

What do you like about Western?
I love how creative and accepting everyone is. Coming from a theater background, many people in the community here remind me a lot of the amazing people I met through theater in my hometown.

How is your student ambassador experience? What are your duties?
My experience as a student ambassador has been absolutely fantastic. I’m honored to help represent Western at the events I attend, not just as a school but as an active and thriving community of new generation learners, thinkers, and creatives.

Which professors do you work with? What is your favorite class? If not in a declared major yet, what is your area of interest?
My primary area of interest is Journalism, and recently I’ve been really enjoying Maria Mcleod’s Journalism 190 course, where we explore both the history of mass media and how it’s constantly being shaped and shaping modern society.

What would you like to say to a someone who has made a gift to support Western students and programs?
Your gifts are the foundation of our studies and expressions, as students. Your donations give us the freedom and resources to explore, to innovate, and to create. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, for all you’ve helped our University with, and all you’ve done for our community here at Western.

What do you do when you aren’t in class?
Personally, I love walking around campus and finding adventures to do with my friends, writing music in my dorm, or playing scrabble(I love Scrabble)

Where is your happy place either on campus or in Bellingham?
My on-campus happy place is the Bayview study lounge in the library, and my off-campus happy place is the amazing local Pierogi spot, Pel'meni.'

What are your professional dreams and goals? Where could you see yourself in five years?
I’ve been a long time listener of NPR and similar radio stations, so in the future I dream of hosting my own radio show to both entertain and inform the public.