Greensboro junior leapt into two majors
Studying both peace, war and defense and psychology, Elizabeth Cake never gets bored.
Junior Elizabeth Cake came to Carolina from her hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina, with a health care career in mind. But when her first semester coursework didn’t ignite the passion she anticipated, she turned to family to help her explore other paths.
“Over that first winter break, I took time to think deeply,” she said. “I realized that the main thing driving me was a fierce desire to care for and serve others.”
Inspired by loved ones in the armed forces, Cake took “a leap of faith” and declared her major as peace, war and defense with a second major in psychology. She hasn’t looked back.
“I never get bored with such a diverse range of topics,” she said of her first major. History, economics, culture and technology are just a few of the disciplines she’s explored through her classes.
So far, a favorite class has been Global History of Warfare, which looks at conflict in the world’s earliest civilizations to the 21st century.
Last semester, Cake was chosen to participate in the Gettysburg Strategic Leader Staff Ride, a selective strategic leadership and decision-making program.
“One of the things I love most about the PWAD major, aside from the passionate students, are the opportunities to advance my education outside of the classroom,” she said. It was “empowering,” she added, to see over half of the young leaders in the room were women.
Cake also has a minor in German and will be spending this semester at the Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen in Germany to sharpen her language skills.
When she thinks of what makes Carolina home, her teammates and friends in UNC Women’s Club Soccer Blue come to mind.
“The women on my team truly are my family and are wonderful people on and off the field,” she said.
She’s looking forward to three more semesters of Tar Heel memories like beating Duke in the Final Four in 2022, cheering on Carolina football and taking classes that speak to her passions.
“I have the privilege of waking up every day to study something that excites me, surrounded by disciplined and bright people who are looking to better themselves and serve their community.”
