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When seeking options for her master’s studies, Kolodziej encountered a problem many who dream big face: there was so much she wanted to do, so many branching paths, and she wasn’t sure how to address her many goals. Lake Forest College’s Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) program provided a space for her to deepen her interests and prepare for a PhD on her own terms.

An accomplished musician who fronts the band wht.rrbt.obj (pronounced white rabbit object) and New York Times best-selling co-author alongside Lady Gaga, Kolodziej was working as the Director of Events, Communication, and Video Production at a nonprofit called A Safe Place when she chose to embark on her MLS journey at Lake Forest College.

“When it came to enrolling in the MLS program, my goals were less about work and more about my desire to continue my education, as I have always been someone who fervently consumes knowledge,” Kolodziej said. “I knew that moving forward with the MLS degree would allow me to satiate my continued hunger for knowledge.”

The Master of Liberal Studies program is one of two advanced degree offerings at Lake Forest College. The MLS curriculum offers students the opportunity to delve into a diverse array of disciplines, from literature, social history, and philosophy to the sciences and the arts. MLS graduates have flourished in nonprofit and teaching sectors, secured promotions at existing jobs, and gone on to pursue PhDs.

Kolodziej always knew she wanted to pursue advanced degrees. She obtained a bachelor’s in English with a concentration in Medieval Literature from Loyola University Chicago prior to deciding on a graduate program. She worked in the nonprofit sector for a few years while focusing on music and writing. Because of her varied interests, she felt conflicted trying to choose just one for her master’s studies.

“I had so many areas of interest and thoughts on getting a master’s in music, English, or something more focused on my nonprofit work,” she explained. “The reason I was so drawn to Lake Forest College’s MLS program was because it didn’t force me to choose a specific concentration of study. I could look at the breadth and depth of subjects working together.”

As part of her MLS degree, Kolodziej completed two independent studies with Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Politics Chad McCracken. Kolodziej used her time in the program to set herself up for success in her career and academics. She is now working as the Director of Development–Corporate Relations at the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund while enrolled in the doctoral program in Leadership and Innovation at Purdue University.

The Lake Forest College MLS approach “allowed me to immerse myself in several schools of thought and use that knowledge to make a more informed decision about my doctoral program,” she said. “It opened the door to having a really solid ground for getting into a doctoral program at Purdue.”

Kolodziej will complete her PhD by October of 2025. Her band wht.rbbt.obj is also seeing success—they got their first mention in Rolling Stone magazine earlier this month. More mentions may be in the band’s future as the MLS program sharpened her songwriting skills, Kolodziej said.

“My band wht.rbbt.obj has really skyrocketed, which is really cool. During my time at Lake Forest and after, we headlined Summerfest in Milwaukee, played SXSW last year, and we released two EPs. It’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “Another thing the MLS program has given me is the ability to think more critically as a songwriter and strengthen my skills as a songwriter.”

Kolodziej can’t recommend the Master of Liberal Studies program enough, even dubbing it “Lake County’s best-kept secret.”

“A beautiful thing about the MLS program was that it created a nonjudgmental space to explore different perspectives,” Kolodziej said. “It is the perfect program for anyone who is seeking flexibility, seeking understanding, seeking to gain knowledge, and seeking to share knowledge. This program is for everyone.”