Education: B.A. in Creative Writing — Beloit College, M.A. in Sports Management — Wingate University

Ask Zak about: house plants, badminton, ultimate, tiny homes, and pay-to-play culture in youth sports.

Favorite thing to do in Beloit: Take long walks with my dog (Hestia). Strolls down the Riverwalk and through campus in the evenings are beautiful and relaxing. My dog especially loves the squirrel culture and the prairie restoration plots.

Advice on the college search process: Between the tours and meetings of college visits, try to take a moment when on campus to sit down and be still – maybe even close your eyes. College is a time and place to be active and involved, yes, but it is also a place one needs to feel comfortable at rest.

Beloit class to take: Vampires & Victorians. Full disclosure – I have not taken this course, but it tops my wish-list because of the fantastic course readings and even more fantastic professor, Tamara Ketabgian.