Spartans of UD: Kira Finifrock
Mar 24, 2021
Spartans of UD highlights what makes the University of Dubuque special – the people.
Kira Finifrock, of Shannon, Illinois, is a junior double majoring in communication and sociology who is one of four TRIO peer leaders on campus.
1. How are you able to connect with and support students as one of four TRIO peer leaders?
“Through TRIO I’m able to get to know students on a closer level because many of us come from similar backgrounds. This provides a baseline of trust and allows us to have meaningful conversations about what participants need/want and how we can assist them through college.”
2. Why did you decide to become a TRIO peer leader?
“I decided to become a TRIO peer leader because of how much TRIO poured into my life during my freshman year. Being a first gen college student, I didn’t know anything about how college worked and how to adjust my life to something so unknown. TRIO helped me do this and connected me with some awesome people along the way. I really just wanted to give back through that.”
3. What advice do you have for students who qualify for TRIO – Student Support Services but who do not know about the federally funded program that offers academic, personal, financial, and career support to eligible students?
“You should apply for TRIO! The application process is very simple and we’re here to help you if you need it along the way. TRIO doesn’t only help through the Academic Success Center, but we also provide workshops involving topics like how to build time management skills, note taking, how to advocate for yourself and/or others, and so much more. We host events for us to come together through escape rooms, coffee hours, painting, and more each month. We have banquets to celebrate our victories, and we talk about current events. TRIO is about uplifting the whole person and having a backbone to rest on during college. There’s also a financial scholarship that comes with it as well, so it’s overall an awesome opportunity to grow.”
4. What do you enjoy most about attending the University of Dubuque?
“I enjoy the people at the University of Dubuque and all the different study spots. I’ve found an awesome community with everything I’m involved in, from Res Life to Campus Ministry, and it reiterates how student-centered the college is for me. I also like to change up my surroundings a lot, so the different places to study are helpful for me.”
5. Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?
“My favorite spot is the outside area between the Tech Center and Blades because it’s very peaceful.”
