Student Profile Series: Samantha Ruelas

The English Department presents Samantha Ruelas (she/her). Samantha is an English major with an emphasis in Literature (and potentially creative writing).

What is your favorite memory at UC Davis?

One of my most memorable experiences at UC Davis would be the day when my English professor had made the classroom into a game show. He had split the class in four and gave us questions to answer, and as a group we had to discuss those questions and provide a response that would fit closely to what the professor expected. It was incredible being able to have fun while at the same time, discussing deep thoughts about a book we had just read.

What is a must-read for an English major?

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

\Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In ten years, I see myself teaching my own English classroom at a middle school or a high-school. I also see myself working on furthering my degree to become a professor at a college, and hey, maybe even become a UCD professor.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about helping others. There is nothing like the satisfaction of being able to see other people feel free from stress or feel confident in themselves; it is my passion to teach and guide other students who are like me, or I was once them. My goal as a future educator is to change the world, but in order to do that, we need to change the minds of our future, and that starts in a classroom.

What do you like to do in your free time to unwind?

I love to dream. I love to dream about my future and dream about becoming. I dream by writing, I dream by reading, I dream by teaching, and I dream with my eyes open knowing that at some point I will get to where I want to be.

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be?

What Hope Means to Me.

What makes you proud to be an English major?

Being an English major comes with its perks, that is being part of a community that works on understanding one another through literature and through writing. I am proud to be an English major because of how much I feel a part of the communities built in this major.

If you had one wish for the English Department/Community here on campus...what would it be?

If I had one wish for the English department, I guess I would wish for involvement in the community. Meaning, I would love to see the English department participate in community events; like host open mics or more competitions, and maybe a chance to be able to encourage other people to be involved with this department as well.

List 3 of your favorite English Professors.

Professor Mathew Stratton, Professor Matthew Vernon, and Professor Erin Gray.

List 3 of your favorite English classes.

ENL 110 - Literary Theory, ENL 111- Medieval Literature, and ENL 041 - Intro topics in Literature and Media Black Feminist Cultural Production.

Cats or dogs?

Both.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird.

Best Major in the Whole World?

English!