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Welcome to 10 Questions for an Admissions Counselor, an occasional series that spotlights some of the talented and passionate people who travel near and far to recruit new Wolverines for the University of Michigan.

Meet Katherine Mercieca, an admissions counselor at the University of Michigan. She's from Canton, MI, and a proud U-M graduate (LSA ‘16). She's been with OUA for three years as both a student employee and a counselor. Her in-state territory includes Monroe, Lenawee, Calhoun, Hillsdale, and Jackson counties. Her out-of-state territory includes Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia. She also has six cities in China!

1. What do you like most about your job?
I love working with high school students. Going to college can be one of the most exciting (and scary) times in a person’s life. There’s nothing more rewarding than walking them through the process and helping students find their future homes!

2. What is your favorite thing about the University of Michigan?
The school spirit is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Students and alumni are all so proud to be Michigan Wolverines. If you travel anywhere in the world, you’re bound to meet another Michigan grad or see a block “M” on a hat or T-shirt. And, if you go to a football game at the Big House, you’ll be surrounded by over 100,000 Michigan fans in a sea of maize and blue!

3. What is your favorite building or spot on U-M’s campus?
The law quad and the law library. This is easily the most beautiful part of central campus. Best of all, it’s open to undergraduate and graduate students alike!

4. What is something you wish you knew before your freshman year?
You’re going to meet so many incredible, accomplished people, and it’s going to be a little intimidating. That’s okay! This is a great opportunity for you to learn from your peers and work with some of the brightest and most passionate students anywhere in the country.

5. What is the most memorable class you took in college?
I took a James Joyce class in my senior year of college with John Whittier-Ferguson, one of my all-time favorite teachers. One of the options for the final exam was to do a marathon reading of Ulysses with a group of our classmates. We took turns reading Ulysses aloud, non-stop, from start to finish. Each chapter of Ulysses takes place in a particular location in Dublin, so we’d have to find a comparable location in Ann Arbor for each chapter. We walked all over campus and visited places like the Burton Memorial Tower, the graveyard behind Stockwell Hall, and the Fleetwood Diner around 4 AM. It took 24.5 hours to read all 732 pages. John even met up with us at the Union to help us through a really difficult chapter. This was one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences I had as a Michigan student!

6. What would you do on a perfect Saturday in Ann Arbor?
My perfect Saturday would begin with breakfast at Frank’s or Angelo’s, followed by a walk in Nichols Arboretum. In the afternoon, I’d visit to some of our museums, such as the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology or the University of Michigan Museum of Art both of which are free. There’s almost always a musical performance happening at The Ark or through the university, so I’d end my day by experiencing some of our amazing local talent.

7. What is your most treasured possession?
My diploma from U-M. My maternal grandparents were first-generation Americans who grew up during the Great Depression. My grandma never finished high school despite being a star student, and my grandpa never attended high school. Because of this, education is very important in my family. My diploma represents generations of hard work and sacrifice, and it always reminds me why I’m pursuing a career in higher education.

8. What is your favorite U-M tradition?
During freshman orientation, students walk through the fountain by the Michigan League. As an incoming student, you walk toward the Diag, which is the heart of central campus. Then, when you graduate, you jump back in the fountain and walk toward the Rackham Graduate School. It’s a nice symbolic gesture and it’s so much fun to watch everyone in their caps and gowns running through the fountain after finals!

9. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Living abroad. I had two international experiences in college: a study abroad program in England and a summer internship in Ireland. When you go abroad, you learn so much about the world and about yourself. You meet and work with people from very different backgrounds, which presents a new challenge every day. You learn how to raise money for your trip, budget, and provide for yourself while still finding ways to experience art, cuisine, history, and culture. These experiences helped me explore my interests and become more independent and confident as an individual.

10. What is your most-used emoji?
The laughing/crying emoji!