The Right Fit

With goals to play soccer at the collegiate level, find a small school focusing on building relationships, and being able to pursue a career in actuarial science, Megan Atkin '19 found Mount Mercy to be the perfect fit for her.

“My favorite part about my classes is how the teachers connect them to the real world," said Atkin. "Every class is connected to real life examples that allow for a more in depth experience in the classroom."

"I also enjoy how many of my classes connect to each other," said Atkin. "I was taking Financial Management, Microeconomics and Calculus Three last semester and there were parts in each class that overlapped. This was a great way for me to connect the dots between the different subjects I was taking.”

After Raven McMurrin, the women’s soccer head coach, drove six hours to watch Atkin’s high school team play in pouring rain, McMurrin offered Atkin a scholarship to play at the college level.

Atkin felt even more at home on the Hill after she heard about the class size. With a 15:1 student to faculty ratio, Mount Mercy offers an individualized education to each student.

“I also know all of my professors and they know me. Last semester I waked into a class with Mr. Rittenhouse. I had never been in one of his classes before, and he already knew me by name. He remembered me from a few small conversations we had had about my class schedules."

"Last semester I waked into a class with Mr. Rittenhouse. I had never been in one of his classes before, and he already knew me by name."

The amount of networking Mount Mercy provides to students also helped Atkin. She knew that she would be able to meet people who would be able to help her in her job search after graduation.

“After I graduate from Mount Mercy University I want to get a career as an actuary. Mount Mercy is helping me achieve this by creating a challenging curriculum. I am learning the information that I need to pass my exams to become a certified actuary. I am also getting connected to companies and business that Mount Mercy has relationships with. This allows me to have an edge up from my competition—people who are looking for the same jobs.”