Senior Aubrie Chastain originally planned to go to law school and become a lawyer, but as she became more immersed in the political science department at the University of Montevallo, she fell in love with international relations and Model United Nations. Now, the Chattanooga, Tennessee resident plans to get her master’s in global affairs, take the Foreign Service Officer Test and pursue a career as an international relations or political science professor.
Chastain, who is double majoring in political science and environmental studies and minoring in pre-law, has an academic recognition scholarship and an out-of-state scholarship, which qualifies her for in-state tuition rates. To her, scholarships are important because they make higher education more accessible.
“When I first came to college it was a big worry, especially with me coming from out of state,” Chastain said. “Montevallo was like my dream school, and through getting that scholarship, it made it a possibility when I thought maybe it wouldn’t be. I’m really grateful for it.”
On campus, Chastain is an orientation leader, the student trustee for the Student Government Association — her past SGA positions include executive secretary and senate clerk — and a member of Chi Omega sorority, where she currently serves as the marketing director. She also served as head photographer on the Purple Victory cabinet.
Chastain says she knew she belonged at Montevallo since her freshman year after seeing that everyone was always so friendly, even though she didn’t know anyone. She is looking forward to being back and having a productive year.
“I think the close-knitness of how small our campus is makes it more of a family feeling,” she said. “I’ve always felt like I have a friend wherever I go, whether it be a professor when I need help with something, or even just saying hello to someone when I’m walking on the bricks.”
