Jillian Splawn of Fairfield, Ohio, is ready to start her college experience at IU East this fall as part of the Class of 2024. Splawn plans to major in biology.

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Jillian Splawn, who graduated in the top 9 percent of her class at Fairfield Senior High School in Fairfield, Ohio, is part of IU East’s incoming freshman class this fall.

Splawn was very involved as a high school student. She played varsity lacrosse, served as the vice president of her school’s National Honors Society chapter, and she participated in the Women’s Leadership Club and the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy.

“I loved lacrosse. I’m really bummed that our senior season got cancelled. We’d travel to different states for tournaments. It was just really fun getting to know everyone,” Splawn said.

Splawn graduated high school with a 4.2 GPA, having taken six AP classes and one college credit class during her time in high school.

“I’m really proud of the effort that I put in, keeping my grades up and putting in the extra work. I’m proud that it finally paid off. I like being able to say that this is how I graduated.”

Splawn graduated high school with the Class of 2020, who experienced circumstances that are unique due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Splawn, like many of those entering their first year of college, experienced a senior year unlike many others before.

Jillian Splawn graduated from Fairfield High School this year.

“It’s definitely odd. The last quarter, we were all online,” Splawn said. “We didn’t have an actual graduation, which was sad. I didn’t get to see my friends one last time.”

However, Splawn is confident that her experience with online learning will help this fall as courses will transition from face-to-face or hybrid to an entirely online format after Thanksgiving.

For Splawn, the decision to attend IU East was an easy one to make.

“One of my friends invited me to a college fair, and that’s when I met Rachel (Johnson, assistant director of Admissions), and we just hit it off. Two months later, I decided to do a college visit there, and it just felt like home. I loved everyone I met. It’s just really nice there.”

Splawn will study biology, striving for minors in chemistry, psychology, and neuroscience.

“I’ve always wanted to do something to help people. I’m really interested in genetics,” Splawn said.

Jillian Splawn has a future interest in helping people and animals through genetics and theriogenology. Riding horses is one of her favorite ways to relax.

Splawn hasn’t decided on a specific career path yet, but she knows the impact that she wants to make on the quality of the lives of people and animals through genetics and theriogenology.

“I really want to help people figure out different genetic issues. It’s just [about] going through school and trying to figure out which jobs are available and growing to see where I want to place myself,” she said.

No matter her career, Splawn is eager to join IU East and be involved on campus.

“I want to be involved in college, make friends and make memories, along with keeping up my grades,” Splawn said. “I’m hoping that college will make me more outgoing. I was very shy. I wouldn’t put myself out there, but now I’m so excited to get out there and make new friends and make those lasting memories.”