Driven by Data, Defined by Teamwork

For Renton, Washington, native Makenna (Miki) Vermeulen ’26, college became much more than earning a degree or playing basketball; it became a place where she discovered new passions, built lifelong relationships and learned how to balance ambition with purpose.

Miki, a double major in data science and economics, did not originally see herself pursuing either field. Like many students arriving on campus for the first time, her plans shifted during her time in the classroom. What ultimately shaped her path was a combination of timing, opportunity and academic curiosity.

“Growing up, I thought I wanted to study psychology,” she said. “But during my senior year of high school, I took both AP psychology and AP statistics, and I unexpectedly fell in love with statistics.”

The timing of that discovery couldn’t have been better. The year Miki arrived at Linfield just so happened to be the first year the university introduced its data science major. With the additional college credits she had already earned through Running Start, she realized she had the opportunity to challenge herself academically while continuing her athletic career. 

“I really enjoyed the problem-solving and figuring out what the data was actually saying,” she said. “Economics felt like a natural complement to data science, and I’ve really enjoyed being able to study both and see how they connect.”

A Passion for Data and Discovery

As Miki progressed through her coursework, she found herself drawn to the ways data could explain real-world problems. Learning how to take information and turn it into insight became a steady theme in her academic journey.

“I think things really clicked when I started working more with data visualization and forecasting,” she said. “Being able to take raw data, find patterns and then communicate those insights in a clear way has been especially rewarding.”

While she loved the statistical side of data science, the computer science component pushed her outside her comfort zone.

“There were a lot of late nights and moments of frustration,” Miki said. “The computer science side of data science was especially challenging for me, since I was naturally more drawn to the statistics and math aspects than coding. But when things finally clicked, it felt incredibly rewarding.”

Throughout that journey, several professors played a major role in her academic and personal growth.

“I had Eric Schuck and Randy Grant for multiple economics classes,” she said. “They saw the best in me and helped build my confidence academically.”

She also credits Kate Lorenzen for helping make data science approachable and manageable during the busiest parts of her athletic schedule.

“She was always understanding and flexible with my schedule as an athlete,” Miki said. “She made learning data science genuinely enjoyable.”

Miki also reflected on the impact of Damian Williams, an assistant professor in the School of Business who died following a battle with cancer in 2024.

“He believed in me from the beginning, supported me in finding opportunities on campus and truly cared about me as a person,” she said. “I’m really grateful for the role he played in my experience.”

More Than a Game

Although academics became a defining part of her college experience, basketball was what first brought Miki to Linfield.

“Honestly, the basketball program was a big reason why I ended up at Linfield,” she said. “But I quickly grew to love everything else about Linfield too — the small class sizes, my amazing professors, my sorority and the overall community.”

Basketball had been part of her life for years. 

“I fell in love with the sport early on," she said. "From then, I always knew I wanted to push myself to play at the next level.” 

That commitment eventually led her to collegiate basketball, where she says the experience shaped nearly every aspect of who she has become. 

“Being part of the Linfield basketball team has meant everything to me,” Miki said. “It’s given me strong connections with my teammates, coaches and the community. It’s also played a huge role in shaping who I am today.”

She’s thankful for the lessons that athletics taught her: resilience, discipline, leadership and communication. 

“Through basketball, I’ve learned how to fight through adversity, stay mentally tough and remain determined even when things get difficult,” she said.

Her favorite memory came during her senior season.

“After winning on senior night, we found out that we were Northwest Conference champions for the first time in over 40 years,” Miki said. “That had been our team’s goal all season, so sharing that moment together made it incredibly special.”

Building Community and Confidence

Balancing collegiate athletics alongside two demanding majors required discipline. For Miki, success often came down to organization and relying on the support systems around her.

“I made a plan ahead of time and made sure to carve out time for homework each day,” she said. “I built strong relationships with my professors and coaches, which helped a lot.”

She especially credits coaches Casey Bunn-Wilson and Coach V for encouraging her growth beyond basketball.

“They both pushed me to become the best version of myself, not just as a player, but as a person,” Miki said. “Casey genuinely cared about how we were doing off the court.”

Outside athletics and academics, Miki found another important community through Phi Sigma Sigma.

“It really helped me feel grounded and less homesick, as well as giving me a strong sense of belonging. It made Linfield feel like home much earlier in my college experience,” she said.

Looking back, Miki says one of the biggest changes she sees in herself is confidence.

“In high school, I often felt pressure to fit in everywhere, but at Linfield I was able to build meaningful connections and really grow into the person I wanted to be,” she said.

Looking Toward the Future

As graduation approaches, Miki remains open to a variety of future paths. While graduate school is something she may pursue later, she hopes to first gain professional experience and explore industries where her skills in data science and economics can make an impact.

“I think both data science and economics are very versatile and complementary fields,” she said. “They’ve given me a strong foundation in both analytical thinking and understanding real-world systems.”

For now, she is focused on embracing whatever opportunities come next, while carrying the lessons and relationships from Linfield with her. She leaves college with a sense of readiness shaped as much by teamwork and mentorship as by coursework.

“Overall, Linfield has shaped me in ways I’ll carry with me well beyond graduation,” Miki said.