What is your preferred name?
Leesa Malczewski.
What is your major and minor?
Computer science major and Spanish minor.
What are some of the jobs you held at McDaniel?
I was a student worker in undergraduate admissions freshman and sophomore year, then I moved to the IT department for my junior and senior year.
What organizations were you part of at McDaniel?
I play tennis and I am a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau (AST) sorority.
How much did you enjoy your time at McDaniel?
I have absolutely loved my time at McDaniel. There were ups and downs, no doubt, but that goes along with any college career. There were times where I thought that a liberal arts school may not have been the best choice for a computer science major, but I wouldn’t change anything. The small school atmosphere was perfect for me and I am so thankful to have been able to even go to college, let alone join a sorority, work, and play tennis.
Who do you think is/was your best mentor(s)?
My FYS professor and first advisor, Dr. Becky Carpenter of the English department was a great mentor to me. The first year of college is hard and full of a lot of new experiences and adjustments. I could always go to her for anything and I was lucky to have her as an advisor.
What has being a part of a sports team at McDaniel meant for you?
I have loved being a part of a sports team at McDaniel. I have made close friendships with students I may have not met otherwise, which is my favorite part. I also think student athletes learn time management, cooperation, respect and communication when being a part of a co-ed team with a diverse group of people.
What were some of your greatest sports highlights for you?
In conference, we usually have a lot of tough matches. This year, my doubles partner and I won two games against Johns Hopkins, which is not a lot but we were very excited because they are #15 in the nation. It was also great to win our conference match against Bryn Mawr 5-4? my sophomore year.
Were there any times you felt as though you couldn’t continue with sports and what were they?
Definitely. I took on a lot during my college career – always working two jobs (one of which being an hour away), leadership roles in my sorority, in addition to the normal college work load. I was very busy and stressed a lot of the time and I often felt like something had to give. But, I never gave up on tennis because I love playing the sport and I knew that I had a commitment to the team.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I will be working full-time as a computer analyst at the Department of Defense.
What advice can you give to those not graduating?
I would tell anyone who is not graduating to enjoy your time at McDaniel while you can. Everyone says that 4 years flies by, and while sometimes you may think it doesn’t, senior year certainly flied by. McDaniel has so many opportunities – intramural/intercollegiate sports, organizations, on-campus employment, guest lecturers, the CEO, and many more – so take advantage of these services while you can. Balance school and fun – because while your education is the most valuable thing you can receive, the memories you make with friends are everlasting.
