Major Spotlight: Lizeth Rios

Year: Senior
Hometown: Willmar, MN

Why did you choose to major in English?

Growing up, I picked up and read any book I could get my hands on. I stayed awake late into the night and even pulled many all-nighters to finish a book. Naturally, I gravitate towards English because it piques my curiosity and continues my reading. For me, English provides a foundation to explore concepts related to writing, in-depth analysis within texts, ethics, and the human experience—all of which I can apply in a job that requires critical thinking skills and creativity.

What has been your favorite part of your experience in the department?

I enjoyed going to the events held by the department—the annual Publishing Panel especially.

Are you pursuing any majors, minors, internships, or fields of interest outside your English major?

I am pursuing minors in Creative Writing and Chicano & Latino Studies. In English, I have to present a critical mindset to analyze text, authors, audience, style, voice, etc. Chicano & Latino studies provides an examination of the rich history, culture, language, and politics that has brought a new lens and awareness in my own approach to writing or analyzing literature and texts. The Creative Writing courses provide an outlet for my own voice, ideas, and sharing of works in an open environment.

What English course would you recommend for majors? For non-majors who want to take an English class?

A class I would recommend to majors would be "Historical Survey of British Literature I" with Professor Rebecca Krug. For non-majors, I recommend "Introduction to Chicana/o Literature" with Alex Mendoza Covarrubias or "Children’s Literature" with Professor Lianna Farber.

Best books you've read recently?

I’ve enjoyed reading Pudd'nHead Wilson by Mark Twain, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, and The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath by Leslie Jamison.