09/08/2025
"I think it's really important for the state of New Hampshire to have a university as brilliant as UNH, because UNH offers things that a lot of state universities don't."
Meet Seren '28, a genetics major from Rhode Island, who discovered that the University of New Hampshire's combination of rigorous academics, undergraduate research opportunities, and supportive community made it the ideal place for her college journey.
Seren was drawn to UNH after learning about the Honors College's unique approach to student support. The program offered everything she wanted: dedicated advisors, honors housing, specialized courses, and research opportunities. Her decision became clear during her campus visit. Seren met with the director of the Honors College and knew this was where she belonged.
In her first year, Seren dove quickly into undergraduate research. Working with Ashley Bulseco, she studied microbial bacteria communities in restored salt marshes, extracting DNA from soil, and using bioinformatics to analyze what species are present. She even presented her findings at the undergraduate research conference in April, an opportunity she never imagined having as a freshman.
Beyond academics, Seren stays connected to her passion for music through UNH Concert Choir and serves as an admissions tour guide, sharing her enthusiasm for UNH with prospective students.
"UNH was the only school where I immediately saw myself here. I knew as soon as I came here that this is not only where I wanted to be, but I could see myself as a student here, whether that was just eating in the dining hall, walking to the fishbowl, or studying in Huddleston Hall."
