Honors Experience: Intention Statements & Journey Maps
The purpose of Showcase Artifact 1 is to compare the early Honors College version of myself, to the now, near-graduate, professional, and career-driven version. My time at IUI, specifically with the Honors College, has developed me into a well-round professional, committed to the world of criminal justice and sound science, with a strong foundation of academic excellence, engaged learning, and personal and social responsibility. I aspire to become a professional in the realm of forensic science, with a profound interest in biology, firearms, or crime scene investigation.
Showcase Artifact 1 includes:
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H200 (freshman year) Intention Statement
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H496 (senior year) Intention Statement
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Intention Statement Reflection
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H200 (freshman year) Journey Map
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H496 (senior year) Journey Map
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Journey Map Reflection
H200 Intention Statement (2023)
H200 Intention Statement Reflection
Reflecting upon my H200 Intention Statement, I believe that I hold similar values, but I have grown within them, and allowed myself to develop. I still have a deep desire to become successful, while also maintaining happiness, growing personal relationships, and falling in love with the process of learning. To this day, I am still thoroughly grateful for the opportunity that has been put in front of me - the opportunity to grow, learn, and be passionate for the things that fuel me.
Current Intention Statement (2026)
Intention Statement Reflection
When I wrote my original "I am" and "I want to become" statements in H200, I was a first-year students just beginning my Honors journey and adjusting to college life. At that time, my intentions centered around optimism, motivation, and a desire to success. I strongly valued relationships, personal well-being, and the excitement of earning, and my goals reflected an idealized vision of loving my career, maintaining happiness, and continuing to grow as a person. My perspective was hopeful, aspirational, shaped by possibility more than lived experience.
As a soon-to-be-graduate, my updated intention statements reflect a deeper sense of self-awareness and maturity, developed throughout my college career and Honors experience. While I continue to value relationships, learning, and fulfillment, my definition of success has evolved. I now understand growth as something rooted not only in ambition, but also in balance, consistency, and perseverance. Through academic challenges, research experiences, and personal development, I have gained confidence in my abilities as a scientist and professional, strengthened my communication and leadership skills,, and clarified the values that guide my decisions.
Comparing these two statements highlights my transition from an enthusiastic, goal-oriented student, to a more grounded and intentional individual. My current intention emphasizes purpose, empathy, and sustainability, both in my career and personal life, rather than solely based upon achievement. This growth reflects the impact of my Honors journey, which pushed my to reflect critically, adapt to challenges, and develop a more holistic understanding of success. Together, these statements illustrate not only a change in who I am at my core, but a refinement of my goals and a clearer vision of who I am becoming.
H200 Journey Map (2023)
H496 Journey Map (2026)
Journey Map Reflection
Reflecting upon my Journey map progress, they both highlight growth in my Honors experience. My original Journey Map emphasized the foundational influences of my upbringing, which fostered early independence and resilience. At that stage, my goals were broadly centered at well-being, with college serving as a space for personal growth and stability.
In contrast, my updated Journey Map reflects a more focused and intentional path, shaped by my experiences within the Honors College. While the values of independence and motivation are underlying themes, they are now paired with concrete accomplishments, like serving in a leadership role, applying to graduate school, and excelling in rigorous program. My goals have evolved from abstract ideas and are now clearly defined as professional and academic. I am actively building a future through daily effort, leadership skills, and everlasting learning.
Together, these Journey Maps demonstrate my growth from a student motivated by possibility, into a near-graduate with purpose, clarity, and commitment to professional development.