Throughout the spring semester we are honoring out senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Joey Harris, a political science major from Northbrook, Illinois. Harris is a member of the men's lacrosse team. 

Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?  
A: I was really drawn in by the opportunity to do the Independent Study research project. Wooster was the only college I was looking at that had the opportunity to devote a whole year towards researching something you really care about.  

Q: What does being a Fighting Scot student-athlete mean to you?  
A: It means that I share something in common with a significant portion of this school. Every student-athlete here is trying to balance their sport with the desire to do well in classes and have a fulfilling social life. We all share this experience of constantly bettering ourselves in order to contribute to something bigger than our individual selves.  

Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?  
A: Getting to experience I.S. Mondayin the Spring of 2021 after so much of the past year had been ruined by COVID. It was a great way to end a long year.  

Q: What is the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster? 
A: I get the opportunity to spend at 2-3 hours each day in the spring with some of the best friends I'll ever have playing my favorite sport on a beautiful field. 

Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?  
A: I have been involved in a service program called Homework for Hoops. Once a week, some friends and I meet with at-risk youth from the community to help them with their homework and then play sports with them. I have also contributed to the Wooster Voice, the student newspaper. 

Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Dr. Erum Haiderbecause taking her class on comparative politics in India and Pakistan as a sophomore really solidified my interest in pursuing comparative politics. Comparative politics allows you to better understand different cultures and governments. I had the opportunity to serve as a research intern for Dr. Haider in 2021, and that opportunity gave me hands-on professional experience. Dr. Haider is my I.S. advisor, and I have had a great experience working with her. 

Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people and resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: There are just too many to name. I would say that just about every professor I had has really helped me grow as a learner and a person. The same can be said about those I have interacted with in athletics. The library has been the most helpful resource on campus. It is a relaxing and productive space that really helps you get your work done. 

Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project? 
A: I am looking at recent environmental conflicts in Ecuador. I am trying to understand the circumstances that make governments more or less likely to use repression as a response to protests of environmentally extractive projects. 

Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?  
A: During the fall semester of my junior year, I had the opportunity to study, work, and live in Washington D.C. While there, I completed an internship in Congress and enrolled in seminar courses through Syracuse University. The seminar courses featured lectures from people who worked all across the world in politics and policy making. 

Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what advice would you give your first-year (freshman) self?  
A: Smile more. The only thing that is ever actually the end of the world is the actual end of the world, and there is not much you can do about that. 

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