Nicole Imparato
Graduation year: 2012
Majors: Political science and English
Minor: Spanish
Post-grad plans: This is more my life plan, but I am going to try and find where I belong.
Why did you choose Augustana?
For me, Augustana just fit. Small, close-knit student body, a green and vibrant campus (in the correct months of course!) and professors whose doors are always open. Augie was everything I was looking for in a school — accomplished and yet not pretentious.
Are you where you thought you’d be four years ago?
Well, I knew I’d be graduating, but as far as everything else I could have never anticipated being the person I am today. Change is a guarantee in life, but only the lucky ones get to experience growth, real growth, and thanks to Augustana and everything I have done here and everyone I have met here, I can say that I am a part of that lucky few.
Who helped you get to where you are now?
Specifically my parents, my good friend Martha Rothchild, and Dr. Weissburg. Without my parents’ continual support in everything — from constant words of advice to those extra dollars when money was tight — I would have never made it. I would have never made it through Augustana with my sanity if I hadn’t met my good friend Martha, who has always been there no matter what time of day or night. And finally, without a great professor, mentor and I hope friend, Dr. Weissburg, I wouldn’t have been the political science major and person I am proud to be today.
A peak experience?
Probably the scariest one, the experience of right now. Having to face leaving the Augie bubble and becoming a member of society is definitely a highlight. Incredibly frightening and yet exhilarating. The real growth and challenge has just begun!
What did you learn about yourself in these past four years that surprised you?
That I am a total nerd and am incredibly in love with being one.
What will you miss the most about Augustana?
Probably the Quad-Cities area itself. I like to explore, and I have found some very memorable places both off and on campus.
“Nicole is one of those students who make teaching a real pleasure. She’s bright, articulate and asks damn good questions. Beyond that, she genuinely cares about the world around her. Nicole doesn’t just study hard so she can get an A on the exam; she studies because she wants to figure out how to make the world a better, more just place. That’s what makes her exceptional.”