Gigi Dorce '17

Grinnell helped me find myself. I didn’t know how much I loved research until I completed a Mentored Advanced Project in chemistry. The mentorship aspect was very important, and I felt I was mentored by my peers who were involved in other MAPs as much as by the professors. It wasn’t until the MAP that I truly realized what a research chemist does. The MAP improved my writing — I never thought I would write a paper in the sciences — and my presentation skills.

Through the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, the Student Organization for Latinos/Latinas, the African and Caribbean Students Union, and other programs, I found that I want to help people. This year I’ve focused on my academics and volunteering, and I plan to spend next year volunteering before hopefully going to law school. I’m planning on entering the field of hydrology and getting a law degree.

My grandmother went to Grinnell and said, “You may not always be at the top of your class, but if you work hard, you will learn immensely.” And I have. I have to thank Grinnell College for giving me my own voice. It challenged me. Because of what I’ve learned at Grinnell in class and getting to know so many different people from all over the world, I’ve had conversations with my friends I never thought I’d have, and I’ve enjoyed it. Your gifts give me my passions.

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