A Storyteller at Heart – University of San Diego

An avid storyteller, it isn’t unusual to see Mackenzie Sherrod on campus with her textbooks in one hand and a camera in the other. A first-year student at the University of San Diego, Sherrod sees her passion for storytelling as the motivation behind her pursuit of a psychology degree and a minor in photography.

That path hasn’t always been clear for Sherrod, who experienced apprehension in the college search process. “I didn’t know where I wanted to go to college,” she admits. “I applied to 18 different schools and I was extremely overwhelmed and stressed.” 

However, it was a February 2019 visit to the USD campus that changed everything. “I came here, and I just fell in love.”

Starting her college career in the midst of a global pandemic has been an adjustment for Sherrod, who contemplated deferring for a year. In the end, she decided to remain enrolled at USD, finding it to be both a fulfilling and inspiring experience. 

“For students who have doubts, I totally understand,” she says. “I had doubts too.”

However, by taking advantage of the small class sizes, Zoom office hours and virtual tutoring sessions, Sherrod has found a supportive community that is helping her to not only learn, but flourish.

“USD does a great job making sure all students thrive, even in a remote setting . . . “I absolutely love USD with all my heart and soul and those doubts and fears I had back in August are completely gone.”

Sherrod’s love for USD continues to grow as she becomes even more immersed in the Torero community. For this storyteller, the start to her undergraduate career may have been uncertain, but there’s no denying she is excited to see where her path may lead her.

— Allyson Meyer ’16 (BA), ’21 (MBA)