Zachary King

Zachary King is a transfer human development and family sciences major from DeKalb, IL

Hometown: DeKalb, IL

Year: Expected graduation: 2024

Transfer from: Kishwaukee College

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
Convenience, programs and affordability.

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
AIM HIGH TR, Honors Excellence, Gunther Firefighters, NIU Transfer Merit Scholarship — I received them all because my GPA has remained above 3.90 throughout my studies and I’ve been in good standing in the University Honors Program. Without the FAFSA and scholarships, I wouldn't be able to afford school. These generous donors have made it possible for me to get the education I need to pursue what I want, and I couldn't be more grateful for it.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I wanted to be a computer software programmer, and that's what I pursued until after my first semester at NIU. I found that my mind didn't work the way a programmer's mind would, but that I already excelled in another path I had dabbled in all my life: social work. I changed my major to human development and family sciences with an emphasis in family social services, and I plan to attend Aurora University for a Master of Social Work degree.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I have always been a good listener and attuned to people's social issues. My father is a social worker and has presented internationally on his experiences raising children with autism. Asperger's syndrome (as well as ADHD and many other things) runs in our family, and it wasn't until I was diagnosed at the age of 7 that we discovered it in our lineage. It changed everything for my family, as I struggled severely in the public school system. My father became my cheerleader and advocate, and I started to come into my own in high school. I was the one always listening to everyone's stories and giving them a shoulder to cry on, and I took pride in that. Since the age of 15, I have run a blog on Facebook and a YouTube channel where I share stories about my life and struggles. I live by the mantra: "If you're still breathing, you haven't given up." I believe that and have shared it with many who have told me they've given up. If my experiences can save a life, I'll share them, and I’ll continue to share them as I venture into social work, like my father before me.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
The professors are eager to assist in any way they can, and I have been able to develop a rapport with many of them through my passion for learning. I aim to create lasting memories of my time at NIU, and building rapport with both professors and the diversity of students on campus is how I want to remember and be remembered as a Huskie.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have formed many new friendships that have proven very impactful for me, as they've gotten me to come out of my shell little by little, and I am always looking to make more connections, both personally and professionally. Most of them were in my classes. I would pair with them for group assignments, and it made those assignments much more fun.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am part of the University Honors Program, and the experiences I have had with the students and faculty who run the program have given me several opportunities for enriched education at NIU. The honors-enhanced courses I have taken have given me challenges that can sometimes be daunting, but they're doable and give me more satisfaction in what I'm learning in class. I don't like when classes are too easy. The Honors Program helps give me the challenge I need. 

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you succeed? And how?
The Disability Resource Center has been my primary advocate, helping me to find ways to make my studies more manageable based on my individual needs in each class. It has made it much easier for me to succeed in my studies, and I am very grateful for that.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
The multiple workshops I have taken and the honors advising appointments have allowed me to create a plan that suits my academic needs while graduating with distinction and success. The honors-infused coursework has played a big role in keeping me engaged with my studies.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
The honors-enhanced courses. They provide a unique challenge that enriches your education and prepares you for a more successful future. I also enjoy the multiple academic avenues available once you graduate with the distinction of honors. I hope it'll help me get into the graduate program I seek.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
Dr. Scott Sibley, who I had for HDFS 477 - Domestic Violence and Trauma in Families. He had an unmistakable passion for what he was teaching and genuinely cared for his students. He used his experiences as both a marriage and family therapist and a real person to add a personal touch to the hard subject he was teaching. He also invited us to let him know if the topic was too distressing for us and made us feel safe and heard. The interactive nature of the class made it more enriching, and he made sure to thank us for our comments. His humanity and kind nature made the class all the more impactful.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Besides being graded in many classes for being present, attending every class session keeps me focused and helps me get the most knowledge from my studies. Many professors have in-class assignments for a specific day where if you're not in class that day, there is no make-up of the assignment. It can really hinder your grade, so it strengthens my resolve to attend each and every class. You get the most information by being present in class. One day missed can affect your whole semester, and that's a fact in college.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
I would say the Holmes Student Center, mainly because it’s wide open and quiet, allowing me to relax, study, watch videos or play games in peace. It's also got a lot of cool areas that I have yet to explore, particularly the bowling alley, which I know is free to students. If I had more friends, I'd frequent that place to spend time with them!

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Look at your program of choice, reviews of the program at that college and affordability. The most important one is obviously your program because that's what you're planning to spend the rest of your life doing. If the college has it, you don't want just an average grade for program quality. You want it to genuinely educate you and give you a better experience than the other options on your list. Affordability is also important. Many students are saddled with loans for decades. Fill out a FAFSA and apply for as many scholarships as you can. Make sure to do it early, before you start your last semester of high school, preferably. Deadlines are absolutely crucial to your success. If you want to succeed, you have to be ahead of the game.

Why is a college education important to you?
Although I plan to start my own entrepreneurial venture (like my father), you often need a college degree to be taken seriously in the professional world, including self-employment. Yes, there are those who've dropped out of college and made lives for themselves, but many of us need the spark to get there. College gets you to take life seriously through your studies and wakes you up to adult responsibilities. It’s a steppingstone to your future. That’s what makes me take college seriously. My future is now, and I need to get in the game. 

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
While I admittedly fail at this sometimes, I make sure that the biggest assignments upcoming, even if their due dates are weeks out, are done if I have what I need to complete them, and I use my hobbies (playing video games, watching movies) as the rewards. Like my weekly chores at home, if I want to do something fun, I have to get the important stuff out of the way first!

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
Outlook, my NIU email. My phone notifies me every time an email comes through, and I have to read it before the notification goes away, which ensures I know what's happening on campus.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I play Pokemon on my Nintendo Switch, moderate and play a game called Galaxy Warfare online, watch scenes from my favorite movies or take a nice, well-deserved nap.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I work as a sitter (safety companion) at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb. I sit with patients who may be at risk of harming themselves, report on their activities and intervene if necessary. In many cases, having someone to watch them calms them down, and it makes the shift more enjoyable for both me and the patient. I have played the Pokemon series (except GO) since I was 9 years old. I enjoy it because while it has a story with an end, you can keep playing and finding things to do forever. I choose to hunt shiny Pokemon (different-colored forms of a certain Pokemon that sparkle when they appear). When it comes to movies, I tend to select certain scenes and rewind them to enjoy several times over. It allows me to analyze every line, action and facial tick in the scene. With my massive digital collection and my growing disc collection, I have enough material to last years. And it'll only grow.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
Even though I'm an odd person, I'm as unique as you can get, and I own that. I want others to know I see them and they're not alone if they need someone to talk to. That's what Huskies do for each other.