Communications Major Alex Dapp Seeks Adventure, Impact
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ALEX DAPP
Communications Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication Emphasis | College of Arts and Sciences | 2015
Where is UMKC taking you?
Colorado. I’m interested in marketing, PR and yoga. It would be awesome to run the marketing for a yoga studio. I’m ready to graduate and see what the world has in store for me.
Why did you choose UMKC?
I’m from Springfield, Mo. and I wanted a change of environment. UMKC had a big city feel with a small city price. It’s not the typical feeling you get from a college experience. You’re in the middle of the city, not just on campus.
How has college inspired you?
College has inspired me to find who I am as a person. I came to school, like many students do, a little nervous and unaware of what was ahead of me. I wasn’t entirely sure of who I was as a person or what I wanted out of life when I first came to UMKC, but thanks to my experiences at this university and through my time spent here, I have gained a better understanding of myself.
What are your lifelong goals?
I want to experience as much as possible. Traveling is a huge passion of mine. Hopefully I can see everything life has to offer.
What motto do you live by?
“Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.” I’m uncertain of the origin. I try to remain as positive as possible.
What excites you?
Adventure is definitely exciting. I’m outdoorsy. I’d rather live in a tent than in an apartment. I like to mountain bike and hike; eventually I want to hike big peaks. I’d love to paddleboard and work up to yoga paddleboarding.
Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?
I have learned that it is okay to be an independent person but still ask for help at times. I have always been hesitant to ask for help due to a fear of looking weak, but through my time in school, I have learned that even the strongest individuals need help at times. We’re all in this together, and I have really learned to understand what that means during my time here.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received from a professor?
“Have a passion in life, it will make you a better person.” I actually keep that written in the ‘notes’ section of my phone because it really stood out to me when I heard it.
What’s your favorite place at UMKC and why?
I love Scofield Hall. I don’t spend much time there, but every time I step through the doors, I am in awe of its beauty.
Who do you admire most at UMKC and why?
Professor Steve Kraske. He has pushed me when I needed to be pushed and encouraged me when I needed encouragement. Kraske is someone I truly admire and respect, and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn from him.
What’s your greatest fear?
I am fearful of not living my life to the fullest. I don’t want to wake up one morning when I am 60 years old and wish that I would have taken that risk, or gone on that trip or told someone I loved them. Life is about the experiences that you have with people you love, and I don’t want to take that for granted.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hope to be living in a cabin in Colorado. I would love to teach yoga and do freelance journalism. My dream would be to write for an outdoor magazine that allows me to travel the country, writing about and reviewing the best camp spots. I really just want to see myself happy and enjoying life in the next 10 years.
What is one word that best describes you and why?
Pioneer. I have been told on different occasions that I embody the life of a pioneer and that word has truly resonated with me. I am a very restless person by nature, so I am constantly drawn to never stop exploring and never stop learning what this life has to offer.