Student Profile: Colleen 0’Toole
Colleen O’Toole uses her Religious Studies major to broaden her thinking skills and prepare her for serving her community.
Religious Studies major Colleen O’Toole performs in a concert.
“I was attracted to the Religious Studies major because it is an interesting topic that can be studied as ministry or history,” the Buchanan senior says. “The professors are extremely helpful in course-work and in developing relative independent studies and practicums. The major demands critical thinking capabilities through class participation, papers and other assignments.”
The program has given O’Toole various opportunities, including participating in the Discovering Vocation internship, which placed her as a summer camp chaplain at Skyline Camp and Conference Center in southeast Michigan.
“I have been exposed to different perspectives on religions and varying world-views,” she says. “The Religious Studies department at Alma has really expanded since I have been enrolled here and it continues to offer new courses and new perspectives.”
O’Toole also had the opportunity to take a year between her sophomore and junior years to join AmeriCorps*NCCC — a ten-month, team-based, national service program for 18 to 24-year-olds. She was able to perform service projects across the country, including Habitat For Humanity and working at a children’s museum.
“The Religious Studies department at Alma has really expanded since I have been enrolled here, and it continues to offer new courses and new perspectives.”
Attracted to Alma by the small campus size and various student organizations, O’Toole is involved in Alpha Phi Omega (a service fraternity), Service House and Michigan Campus Compact - Student Community Action Network.
In the future, O’Toole would like to return to AmeriCorps*NCCC before pursuing a master’s degree in public service with a non-profit emphasis.
