Uncommon Paths: Exploring Unique Majors at CMU

Story and photos by: Alivia Cranick

At Central Michigan University students are stepping beyond traditional majors and exploring unique fields that combine creativity, science and curiosity. Whether they’re focused on weather forecasting, printmaking, dietetics, or mechanical engineering technology, these students are transforming what it means to pursue their passions and pave their own academic journeys.

“I pretty much always wanted to be a meteorologist. Theres a video of me ‘graduating’ kindergarten and my teacher said I wanted to be a weatherman when I grew up,” said freshman Trevor Sparks.

For Sparks, the spark became a calling after a major weather event. “It wasn’t until August 24th, 2023, when a destructive line of severe thunderstorms with winds in excess of 80mph blew through my town and heavily damaged it,” he said. “I realized that this is what was meant for me.”

Meteorology is one of CMU’s lesser-known programs — one of only two in Michigan. “When I tell people my major, a lot of people are surprised,” Sparks said. “I feel like my major is way misunderstood and highly underrated. The worst thing a person can say is “oh you’re going to be a meteorologist so you can get paid to be wrong.”” Meteorologists are the backbone of everything in the world in a way.”

Sophomore Madison Marriott found her artistic home in the printmaking studio. “I knew Central had both fashion and printmaking which is part of the reason why I chose to come here,” she said. “It wasn’t until I took intro to printmaking my freshman year that I decided to switch my major from graphic design to studio.”

She credits her professor, Johanna Paas, for inspiring that change. “She is so welcoming and kind and always encourages and helps push ideas further,” Marriott said. “Last year in one of my projects I printed on a skirt which incorporates my love for fashion, and I really enjoyed that and would like to experiment more with fashion in my art.”

Much of Marriott’s creative process happens inside Wightman Hall, where the printmaking lab feels like a second home. “I can spend a whole day at Wightman in the printshop and still have more to do. “it’s more about experimenting and learning through making rather than a stricter course and curriculum,” she said.

For Marriott, art is a form of exploration. “I don’t have a specific career goal,” she said. “I think having a goal to do one thing for the rest of my life sounds miserable. I think that’s why it’s so hard for me to have a set career goal like many people because with everything I learn a new door opens.”

Senior Sophia Rosa grew up surrounded by conversations about nutrition — her mother is a dietitian and a CMU alum. “Growing up I had that interest sparked early on,” she said. “I decided to major in it based on nutrition classes I took in my first year, specifically Intro to Food and Culinary Techniques.”

Her passion for nutrition goes beyond food — it connects to her future in health care. “My goal is to take this knowledge and use it for pursuing a career as a Dermatology Physician Assistant,” Rosa said. “I’ve delt with skin conditions myself and know what you consume can have an impact on your skin but also know that medical interventions can be needed as well.”

Through her major, Rosa has also earned certifications and gained hands-on experience. Rosa is ServSafe certified, and has competed in a cooking competition with SAND, referring to the Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

“We worked in pairs to prepare tacos for 3 judges/ chefs, then they would choose a pair as the winner of the competition. It was such a fun experience, and it ended in my group winning the competition,” said Rosa.

Fifth-year senior Tyriq Davis has always been fascinated by how things work. “I’ve been curious about machinery and product design for as long as I can remember,” he said.

Throughout high school Davis participated in engineering summer internships at Whirlpool from his sophomore through senior year. “I learned a lot and gained valuable experience, which really solidified my decision to choose this major,” Davis said.

Unlike traditional engineering, Davis’ major focuses on applying concepts directly. “I have gained valuable hands-on experience through my coursework labs, numerous class projects—including my senior design project—and internship opportunities” he said. “I spend more time in labs and workshops using equipment, running experiments, and programming machines—skills that prepare me to move straight into solving technical problems in the field.”

One of his favorite memories came from a robotics lab. “My group accidentally programmed the robot to spin in circles instead of moving to its set points,” he said. “It made the whole class laugh and also taught us to double-check our code before running a program.”

For Davis, engineering is more than just numbers and machines. “A lot of people think engineering is just about math, machines, and design, but it’s more than that,” he said. “You have to be able to communicate well, problem-solve together, and think creatively to get things done.”

Students at CMU are demonstrating that there isn’t just one route to success. Whether they’re analyzing storm patterns, perfecting prints in Wightman Hall, merging nutrition science with health care goals, or building innovative machines, each student has carved out a unique purpose in areas that defy expectations. They are discovering that true passion, rather than popularity, is what genuinely defines their academic journey.