CEHSP student spotlight: Conner Boorman

Meet Conner Boorman, a junior who is a social work major and psychology minor

Why did you choose UMD?

Growing up I always loved the outdoors. My family moved around a lot but I could always enjoy going for a walk or just being outside. Duluth was the perfect environment for me. I loved the small city atmosphere mixed with great hiking paths and having the lake so close was a huge bonus. I also really loved the campus and the small class sizes meant I would be able to engage in better discussions with my peers, which is something that really matters to me.

What do you like most about your programs? 

I really enjoy how open and understanding the faculty are. I have not had a bad professor in any of my classes, which seems impossible. I like being able to talk to my professors and get personalized and detailed feedback, something that CEHSP professors do really well. Beyond that, the amount of opportunities that I have had because of my programs really puts the cherry on top.

What has been your most meaningful experience at UMD so far?

I was able to study abroad in Dublin over the spring semester of 2024, and that experience was life changing. I was lucky enough to be able to continue my individual personalized studies in a completely different environment. Being able to speak to and make friends with a plethora of different people from all around the world really opened my eyes to how impactful and important the human services really are. I was able to relate to and talk to everyone I met, specifically because of what I have learned throughout my years at UMD.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I play a lot of sports, mostly soccer and football, as well as working out and exercising. I feel as if being physically active really helps you clear your mind and reset yourself. I find myself responding the same way when cooking and preparing meals for others. I’m also a huge music nerd and play guitar when I can.

About the Bachelor of Social Work program and the psychology minor