Global and international studies (GLIS) major Kate Crannell was chosen as the 2024 banner carrier by the College of Social Science at Michigan State University. She will lead the college by carrying the college’s banner at the College of Social Science graduation ceremony on Saturday April 27th.
Once nominated, Crannell was to write an essay explaining how and why she wanted to represent the College of Social Science, the biggest college at MSU. After submitting her essay, she was later notified that she was chosen as the college’s banner carrier, an honor Crannell said she is proud of.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all,” Crannell said. “The College of Social Science is such a large college here at MSU and to be chosen out of everyone else who was nominated, makes me feel quite proud of myself. It’s a fitting way to end my time as an undergraduate student.”
Crannell, who also has minors in law and justice and public policy as well as Spanish, mentioned that her decision to pursue a GLIS major was influenced by her experience of living abroad with her family for a decade during her grade school years. She’s lived in three different countries other than the United States including the Netherlands, England, and the United Arab Emirates.
“My dad was in pharmaceutical sales and when I was four, we moved overseas,” she said. “This experience really helped introduce me to new cultures and really gave me an appreciation that I don’t think I would have gotten if I didn’t live abroad. This experience inspired me to pursue a GLIS degree and I am so happy I did because I have learned a lot about different subjects and topics. I feel like I am well-prepared for the next chapter of my life.”
Crannell, who went to high school in Chicago, said she chose to attend MSU because she wanted to push herself out of her comfort zone by going away to college.
“I thought it was important for me to establish some independence and I really liked the culture here at MSU. There is a lot of diversity here and that was important to me because that is what I grew up with.”
While at MSU, Crannell has worked at the Sailing Center, served as the vice president of the sailing team, and was part of the ski team. In 2023, she studied abroad in Valencia, Spain so that she could immerse herself in the Spanish language.
Crannell said she is already applying to paralegal jobs at law firms in Chicago as well as across the country and has a long-term goal of becoming a lawyer.
“I think I bring a unique global perspective to the table,” Crannell said. “Being a GLIS major allows me to have this type of perspective from studying various fields which will help me in any career path that I chose.
Initially, Crannell chose to major in pre-nursing when she first came to MSU. But she said her heart wasn’t in it and she decided to switch to the GLIS major and focus on what she was passionate about: global and international studies.
“I just wasn’t feeling the nursing major,” she said. “Sure, it might be intimidating to change your mind while you are in college, but that is OK. It is better to pursue something you thoroughly enjoy. College is the time to discover yourself and who you are and what you are passionate about. Don’t limit yourself to one area of study if you aren’t passionate about what you are studying. Explore every subject and don’t be afraid to pursue what you are truly passionate about.”