Get to know Kennedy Center grads in this student spotlight series. We'll be highlighting some of our 2026 valedictorians to hear about their experiences at BYU.
Marina Passey of Mesa, Arizona is our 2026 European Studies valedictorian. She’ll be graduating in April with a minor in Global Business & Literacy, after which she plans to work in the legal field for a year or two before going to law school.
What drew you to your program?
I was first drawn to this program for my love of learning about other cultures, as well as my desire to maintain the French that I learned in high school. I've loved how dynamic and individualized the program is, and how I've been able to engage in a variety of unique environments. Thanks to this program, I've engaged in so many varying subjects including political science, law, history, French language, Russian culture, art, literature, and so much more—an interdisciplinary approach that is often hard to find in many other majors!
What were your favorite classes?
One of my favorite classes that comes to mind is POLI384 (International Relations of Europe) with Dr. Chad Nelson. As someone fascinated by how countries interact with one another and why, this class provided me with such a great foundation in understanding historical events through the lens of International Relations theories. It was also incredibly rewarding because it gave me a lot of practice in analyzing and thinking critically about arguments, which is something that I'll be using for the rest of my life.
Outside of the major, another favorite class was WRTG311 (Writing about Arts & Humanities) with Dr. Tyler Garder. This class was unique in its creative structure; we created our own New Yorker-style magazines, featuring personal narratives, cultural commentary, and profile pieces. I loved being able to really tap into my creativity in order to produce engaging and meaningful writing, and the experience really helped me reflect more deeply on my own values and perspectives.
Were there any professors that made an impact on you?
BYU has so many great faculty members! Obviously, my program director Dr. Rob McFarland is amazing and always willing to help students in any way he can. My senior capstone mentor, Dr. Elliott Wise, has also been an incredibly valuable resource for me this past semester. Although my focus has largely been in history and the social sciences, I was inspired to branch out and write my capstone paper about the Ghent Altarpiece—an artwork that I had learned in Dr. Wise's ARTHC202 class the semester before! Dr. Wise was so encouraging and has quite the admirable plethora of knowledge. It was such a delight to work with him; having encouraging support truly makes all the difference!
Another professor that stands out is Dr. Tyler Gardner. I've had the privilege of working with Tyler for the past two years as a Writing Consultant in the Research & Writing Center, as well as being a student in his WRTG311 class. Both experiences were integral in developing my communication skills and in deepening an appreciation for the art of writing, as well as allowing me to see how valuable it is to build bridges of understanding with others. Tyler has an inspiring and supportive figure through it all!
Dr. Katya Jordan has also been a significant influence in my academic journey. After taking RUSS341 (Russian Novel in English) with her, I later worked as a Course Embedded Consultant for several of her classes through my work at the RWC. It has been a joy to learn from Dr. Jordan's expertise in literature—she teaches in a way that encourages you to engage by exploring connections between writing, society, and human nature.
How did you engage with your studies outside of class?
One of the highlights of my major was definitely participating in the Business Fundamentals in Europe study abroad program. Over the course of two months, we lived in Rome, London, and Paris, visiting international businesses and cultural sites along the way.
It was so surreal to have firsthand experiences that reflected the cultures and ideas I had studied in the classroom. Being in unfamiliar environments really pushed me into a constant state of learning and growth. I especially valued seeing how European societies function, both professionally and in everyday life, and realizing just how much there is to discover in the world around us. This experience has definitely inspired me to continue traveling in the future!
To those who are considering European Studies, what would you say?
If you want to explore a wide range of subjects and likely get an experience abroad, I'd say go for it! The Kennedy Center is awesome at providing funding and other means of support for students both in and outside of the classroom.
One of my tips would be to take advantage of all the opportunities that BYU has to offer—make friends with your teachers, find study abroad programs and internships that interest you, take classes that you think might be fun, etc. Being at college is such a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so learn to enjoy it and explore whenever you can.