May 31, 2019
Class of 2019: Arts grad's appetite for change takes him from military history to women's studies
When Nolan Hill started studying history and English at the 草莓污视频导航 in the fall of 2011, he had 鈥渁ll these hopes and dreams and goals鈥 and he knew exactly what he wanted to do: 鈥淚 thought I wanted to be a historian who was going to work in a museum and focus on military history.鈥
But that鈥檚 not quite how it turned out. Hill, who is graduating with a Women鈥檚 Studies degree, wants to work in sexual health with a focus on gay men鈥檚 health. And he credits volunteering with Leadership and Student Engagement, working with the and a year studying abroad in Copenhagen for the 鈥渢otal switch鈥 in his plans.聽
鈥淚 really learned a lot about who I was and what I actually wanted out of life, and recognized that the world is so much bigger than I thought it was in high school,鈥 says Hill. 鈥淕etting the opportunity to experience these other things and learn about these other opportunities really helped me realize that I didn鈥檛 want to do what I thought I wanted to do.鈥
One of his many memorable experiences outside the classroom was going to New Orleans to work with local urban farms and community organizations in poverty-stricken areas of the city. In fact, he signed up for the Building Healthy Communities program twice. His time in New Orleans helped him clarify that he wants to build a career engaging with and contributing to community.
鈥淣olan has an unwavering passion for social justice and a deep level of compassion,鈥 says Teri Jones, manager with Education Abroad who worked closely with Hill at the Leadership and Student Engagement office. 鈥淣olan is the perfect example of a student who took complete ownership over their university experience.聽He took advantage of every opportunity that presented itself. He leaned into the process of discovering who he is and the impact he wants to have in his community.鈥
Hill, who is working as the gay men鈥檚 health specialist at Calgary鈥檚 Centre for Sexuality, plans to take a master's degree in public health. 鈥淗e took the time to navigate his values and what was important to him in his life. This self-awareness has led him to a role in which he is truly making a difference and is thriving,鈥 says Jones.
It wasn鈥檛 always an easy road. Hill had some personal and mental health struggles over the years and has learned a few hard lessons along the way. 鈥淚 can give a lot of myself to other people, other programs but at the end of the day if there is nothing left to take care of myself then that is a challenge,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 only have so many hours in a day and so much energy to give.鈥
And he鈥檚 also learned to be open to change. 鈥淚 never thought I鈥檇 graduate with a Women鈥檚 Studies degree; I went through three different majors before I ended up with this one,鈥 he says. 鈥淭he best-laid plans don鈥檛 always work out.鈥 And for Hill, that鈥檚 definitely for the better.