Kristal Podgorski
Major : Political Science, minor in Secondary Education and minor in History
High School : Upper Darby High School
Hometown : Clifton Heights, PA
It took Kristal Podgorski two tries to get the right fit when it came to finding her perfect college. But as the old saying goes, the third time truly was a charm.
After receiving her associate’s degree from Delaware County Community College, Kristal decided she wanted to continue on with her education and pursue a bachelor’s degree. Among her criteria for a new college included staying near to her home in Clifton Heights. She wanted to remain close to her mother and younger sister. Her first stop was West Chester University where she says she never adjusted to the big university atmosphere. Soon after, she transferred to Neumann College and quickly embraced the tight-knit community that Neumann prides itself on.
“I like the fact that I can walk down the hall and see a teacher from two years ago who will remember me and say hi. Everybody is so friendly here. I see the same people in my classes,” Kristal, a junior, says.
While her major is political science, the classroom is where Kristal is heading. “I’m a big history nut and I’m interested in European history. I’m planning to teach high school history,” she notes.
Kristal manages to balance her school work with her part-time job as a bank teller, but it leaves little room for leisure time. She realized from the start of her Neumann College experience that hard work would become a way of life for her.
“Neumann is serious. You have to be serious and do the work. Why not get the best value?” she says.
Included in that value, according to Kristal, are the Franciscan traditions that Neumann College was founded upon. She says the Neumann community definitely lives up to these standards.
“They actually promote peace and do community service on a regular basis. They practice what they preach. They’re trying to make the community around them better and hope it spreads. It’s contagious - something to take with you when you graduate,” Kristal adds.
