Pictured above: Mattea Jones stands with classmates outside the Palace of Versailles during a study abroad the past summer. | Submitted

What brought you to the University of Arkansas?

I’ve known since 8th grade that I wanted to major in food science when I went to college. When looking for colleges my senior year of high school, the University of Arkansas was high on my list. The University of Arkansas offered a major that combined my love of science and my love of food into one major of food and culinary science making the choice easy. From my first moment on campus, I knew I was home. I am graduating in the spring with a Bachelor of Science and Agriculture in food and culinary science.

Mattea celebrates her 21st birthday with her mom and sister. From left, Barbara Brown, Mattea and Payton Jones. | Submitted

 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a senior here at the University of Arkansas. I have had the pleasure of serving as a resident assistant in Maple Hill South here with University Housing before becoming the marketing and communications intern. I was a little bit of a military brat growing up, but the majority of my childhood was spent in Frisco, Texas which is a suburb 30-minutes north of Dallas.

I have my wonderful mom, dad, one younger sister, two older half-sisters and my step-dad to support me. My younger sister Peyton will be attending Columbia University this fall, but she’s a true Razorback at heart. My mom loves to come to visit me here in Fayetteville, and is always looking for a reason to come back.

 

What are your hobbies?

I love to read and bake. I have also recently pick-up knitting, but I am not very good at it. I am a dedicated Netflix watcher, who is always looking for a new show to binge. If you catch me in the right mood, I might even get a little crafty with something I found on Pinterest. The best day for me is sitting in a good chair with a fluffy blanket and a good book with time to lose.

 

Can you provide us with a random fact about you?

I got to spend this summer in Beauvais, France on an exchange program. Even though I had taken 3 years of French in high school, I left France that summer without having learned any actual French. So, determined after that experience to learn French, I even enrolled in a French class this past spring. Sadly, I still have not mastered the language.

Mattea learns to use healthy methods of cooking alongside a classmate at the Uni LaSalle in Beauvais, France. | Submitted

 

If you could eat one dessert for the rest of your life what would you choose?

If I could only eat one dessert for the rest of my life I would choose cupcakes. It is a perfect dessert. It’s portioned for you and comes with its own container.

There are so many different flavor options how could you get bored? It’s the most superior of the dessert options in my humble opinion.