Deanna Yarrish is a member of Shippensburg University’s class of 2021. She is a dual major in Pre-K early childhood education and special education.
A graduate of Octorara Area High School, Yarrish said she was hooked after a tour at Ship and learning more about the Teacher Education Department. Her father is also a Ship alumnus.
Despite her family’s familiarity with Ship, Yarrish has found plenty of pleasant surprises.
“Since I started studying at Ship, the most surprising aspect of the university to me is how much the faculty do care about the students and how supportive they are. I was also surprised by how much everyone working at Ship cares, not just professors, but librarians and dining hall personnel too. I have built relationships with all these types of people and that was something I wasn’t expecting but I’m grateful that it happened. College is all about meeting all types of people and Ship has brought out the best in all the people,” Yarrish said.
Yarrish has also been able to network and gain hands-on experience through her involvement with organizations like Kappa Delta Pi and as a peer mentor for the Future Educators Living Learning Community. She is also president of Bridge for Kids, a nonprofit club on campus that focuses on children and their growth through professional development and work with the campus lab school.
“Ship supplies the activities and building blocks for you to form relationships with people, but it’s up to you to reach out and take those opportunities,” Yarrish said. “Once you do, you won’t regret it because you will build the greatest bonds with people.”
Read more stories from the Class of 2021.
