Okay, everyone, let’s head over and meet Alanis. She’s a sophomore, a double major in luxury brand marketing and management and graphic design. Alanis is creating her own path to blend her interest in fashion and social media. She’s gonna tell us about all the amazing experiences she’s had so far. Over to you, Alanis.
Thanks for the introduction, Alex. I’ve always loved social media and fashion. When applying to schools, I wanted to combine my passions to launch myself into a career that’s rewarding to myself and inspiring to others. I’m doing just that at Susquehanna University, S.U. is the only liberal arts institution in our country to offer a luxury brand marketing and management major, and because it’s a part of our nationally-accredited business school, there are so many perks. I’m guaranteed an international internship. In my first year, I’ve completed two remote international internships in Singapore and Spain and I’m looking forward to an in-person experience in another country. As second year students, my classmates and I are paired with alumni mentors whose career journeys align with our goals and have a strong desire to give back to Susquehanna. So far, I’ve been able to connect with graduates who work at my dream companies and I know that they’ll be able to help me out even more when I begin the job searching process. But for right now, I’m focusing on my classes and building a professional portfolio, working as a social media intern for the Dean. Double majoring in graphic design gives me a creative outlet and grows my digital marketing skills. In our small class sizes, I can get to know my classmates and professors on a deeper level and we can provide genuine critique on our work. Our department hosts lectures, art shows, and alumni panels to inspire and educate us. Double majoring across two different schools expands my career possibilities. Susquehanna University has put me in the driver’s seat of my education- supported by two different schools, I have a powerful network of educators and alumni. Susquehanna has given me all the resources I need to forge my own path and have a fulfilling career during what I love. That’s all for me, Alex. I’ll pass it back to you.
Wow! Alanis, you’re proof that first year students can dive right into the full Susquehanna experience. International internships, connecting with alumni mentors at your dream companies, and working for the Dean. You’re not just building a resume, you’re building a network that will help you land your own dream job someday soon. Thanks again for that.
Let’s head to the Susquehanna River, the university’s namesake, just a short walk from campus. We’ll meet Danielle, a junior double major in ecology and earth and environmental sciences. She’s on campus today, but she’s also been “in class” in places like forests and wetlands and even the Bahamas. Tell us your story, Danielle.
Thanks, Alex. Hey, guys! Growing up visiting America’s national parks, I learned that it’s only right to leave the world just a little bit better of a place than we found it. This coupled with my love for adventure has led me to pursue degrees in earth and environmental science and ecology. The next generation of scientists needs hands-on opportunities like those we enjoy here at Susquehanna. We start research as soon as our first year, and it’s not uncommon for students to have their names on multiple published scientific papers before graduation. My personal favorite place on Susquehanna’s campus is our Freshwater Research Institute, which we like to call the F.R.I. Here, I’ve worked as a summer stream team intern as well as a coordinator of our environmental education and outreach program. When it comes to facilities and equipment, we have everything from state-of-the-art labs and field stations to our 14-acre solar array, which powers 30% of campus operations. Our classrooms are just as much inside buildings as they are in the forest, wetlands, streams or here at the Susquehanna River and our bee aviaries. Some of our labs even extend to places like The Bahamas and Costa Rica. Students can participate in hands-on internships like mine with Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game. These opportunities further prepare us for graduate school or to hit the ground or waters running when we begin our careers. The faculty and staff at Susquehanna have always encouraged me to reach my fullest potential. Not only do they teach classes and labs, but they also are wonderful resources as club advisors and mentors, which I have felt personally while serving president of our “Get Everybody Outdoors” club and as a sustainable project leader in our office of sustainability. When I first started college, my ultimate goal was to take advantage of all the opportunities Susquehanna has to offer. I’ve gained knowledge, field experience, and a deeper passion and drive for the things that I love. And that’s a little bit about my story. Back to you, Alex.
Thanks, Danielle. At Susquehanna, you can put your passion to work every single day. It’s crystal clear that you are committed to environmental stewardship, and so is Susquehanna who’s been named one of the country’s most environmentally- responsible colleges by the Princeton Review for its ongoing sustainability efforts.
Let’s hear from Adam, a junior who’s studying music education. He’s gonna share how Susquehanna was the perfect match for his curiosity and how music and the school of the arts connects students of all majors. Like so many others studying at Susquehanna, Adam’s passion inspires him to create new ways to share it with others. Over to you, Adam.
Thank you, Alex. Hello everyone. Growing up, I was committed to academic excellence and devoted to my instrumental studies. With two strong interests, I knew I needed an environment where uncertainty was a virtue. As a liberal arts school founded on curiosity, innovation, and opportunity, Susquehanna University was the best fit for me. Music is at the center of life here at S.U., whether an ensemble concert, student or faculty recital, performance or residency with world-renowned musicians, every weekend offers a new and diverse way to celebrate the arts. Because I was immersed in both music and education courses in my first semester as a music student, I immediately started developing skills related to my major. Susquehanna University offers over 50 music courses and like other classes in the arts, many of these are open to any student with an interest in music regardless of their major. This has helped me build relationships with students in various majors across campus. They know they can find me studying in the lounge or practicing my saxophone in one of 30 comfortable practice rooms, perfect for long hours, late nights, and group jam sessions. Susquehanna provides me with countless opportunities to explore individuality and music expression. The faculty are connected to all corners of the music world, allowing students to perform at national conferences, attend institutes and festivals, and study in countries like Italy and Japan, and perform with a member of the “Saturday Night Live” band here on campus. Every day, I’m grateful that I chose a university that cultivated my curiosity. I found an unrelenting passion for music performance and teaching, and by creating the jazz combo groups and the weekly jazz on the block performances, I know I’m making a meaningful impact here. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
Adam, no doubt you will inspire many as you continue your teaching journey. Imagine discovering a new culture while making music in a romanticized country like Italy, learning from world-renowned musicians and playing with a member of the SNL band. It’s absolutely amazing. Thanks again, Adam.
Let’s meet Hannah, a senior creative writing, publishing, and editing double major. She found a sense of belonging here- a university that continually renews its commitment to being a place where every student feels seen, supported, and safe. Elected to multiple leadership positions, Hannah’s been recognized not only for her talents, but also for her potential. Hannah, you are on.
Hi Alex. I’m from a small town where everybody knows everybody. I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood and went to a predominantly white high school. I wondered if Susquehanna would be a similar experience and if it would be difficult to find my sons of community as a Black woman. My worries disappeared when I spoke to Monica Prince, a Black creative writing professor; she said that S.U. is constantly taking steps to increase diversity on campus and create space for minority students, cultivating community and celebrating their identities. Many of the faculty strive to ensure that every student matters. That translates to the many opportunities offered in humanities at S.U., which faculty help connect students to. Thanks to my professor in the English department, Dr. Heather Lang, last year I served as the editor-in-chief of the Common Reading Program, which oversees the creation of an annual anthology for first-year students. Without that experience, I wouldn’t have been able to serve in the other leadership positions I hold now, including as the Board of Trustees’ senior student representative and as the managing editor of “Flagship,” S.U.’s on-campus travel magazine. Additionally, I’ve served as the director of F.U.S.E, which is the Forum for Undergraduate Student Editors. The national organization discusses and challenges many topics facing the literary world. F.U.S.E. will be on a panel in Washington this spring at one of the biggest writing conferences in the U.S. If it weren’t for S.U. and the support we receive from English and Creative writing faculty, none of this would’ve been possible. Susquehanna is a community of passionate students, faculty, and staff determined to help everyone reach their fullest potential. They help me realize that even I, as a female student of color, can make a difference on campus and be recognized for my potential. That’s my story! Back to you, Alex.
Hannah, the impact you’ve had on Susquehanna and Susquehanna on you really comes through. Your story shows how students can find their sense of belonging at S.U. through the opportunities for leadership and growth and with the support from caring faculty. Thanks for sharing.
You all are gonna love this next segment! Let’s hear from Claire, a senior management major with a minor in Italian studies who transferred to Susquehanna because of its promise of global opportunities. You’ll hear how Susquehanna made Claire’s dream a reality by removing obstacles so she could fully immerse herself in another country learning its language and its culture. We’re all ears Claire, take it away.
Ciao tutti, and thanks Alex. Although I grew up in a small rural town, I always had the desire to travel and explore the world. When looking at schools to transfer to after two years of community college, I knew that I wanted to be somewhere that would create global opportunities for me. At Susquehanna, all students spend some time away from campus during summer or winter breaks or a whole semester. Studying, interning, conducting research, or volunteering. More than 95% of students do so in a different country. While I was excited about the thought of international travel, I was also nervous about studying another language. When I selected Italy for my global opportunities trip, I had no idea that studying Italian would be one of my passions. In Italy, I lived with a wonderful host family who was eager to share their beautiful language and culture with me, and I made some of the best memories of my life. Susquehanna prepares us for a study away experience through a prep course, and we take another class after we return, so we’re able to reflect on and appreciate how our perception of the world has changed or remained the same. In addition to studying Italian in Italy, I also completed an international internship with an environmental nonprofit based out of London thanks to the help of Susquehanna’s Sigmund Weis’ School of Business. All students in the business school are guaranteed an international internship to help better prepare us for the global world that we live in. My chapter at Susquehanna will soon close, and while the thought of it makes me a little sad, I know that what I have gained here on campus in Selinsgrove and abroad has prepared me to enter the global workforce with confidence and humility. Back to you, Alex.
Wow, Claire, you’ve gained so much by transferring to Susquehanna. You took courses, completed an internship, and became fluent in a second language. Only one in 10 U.S. college students study away, but at Susquehanna, all students do. Now many students like Claire also add in an internship, research, or volunteer experience. Truly incredible. This is gonna be great!
Let’s get ready to meet Craig, a junior majoring in computer science. Craig says he was curious about cryptocurrency. His coaches introduced him to faculty in the business school and before long, Craig was backed, by the Dean, to start a club about digital currency. He is also the inspiration for Susquehanna’s new financial technology course. Tell us more, Craig.
Thanks, Alex. What’s up everybody? What brought me to Susquehanna was the opportunity to play college football while getting a great education at a place that feels just like home. I come from an amazing family that always pushed me to work hard and maximize every opportunity; and my S.U. family has really been no different. What I love most about being a River Hawk, is our community of students, faculty, and alumni who celebrate each other’s creativity and push each other to accomplish our biggest goals. We also have an amazing athletics department with 23 NCAA teams and a career development center that prepares students for our next great adventure after S.U. Clubs, football, and supportive faculty have definitely been a unique part of my experience here at S.U. They helped me turn my passion for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology into CryptoHawks. CryptoHawks is a club that creates an inclusive space for students to research and discuss cryptocurrency, decentralized finance, and blockchain. We host discussions, guest speakers, and workshops to help students learn more about Web3. My football coach helped me connect with the faculty who now support the club, and by working with the Career development center, I gained the confidence to network with Susquehanna alumni who work in the crypto industry. With five faculty advisors, 50 plus members, and the introduction of crypto course offered to students. CryptoHawks really speaks to the special community that is S.U. Choosing S.U. has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and my experiences here have definitely prepared me for life after college. Being a River Hawk has taught me the power of community and collaboration and the benefits of pursuing what drives you. Thanks for hanging out with me, guys. Back to you, Alex.
Craig, your pursuit of knowledge in a new area is inspiring, and your story highlights how the community supports one another, leading to collaboration, creativity, and innovation. You’re tapping into the incredibly valuable River Hawk alumni network and it sounds like the CryptoHawks club is already a major return on investment. Thanks again for that.
Meet Arianna, a senior double major in political science and public policy with a minor in international studies. You’ll hear what inspires her to take full advantage of the countless real-world experiences available to Susquehanna students both in and out of the classroom and how those opportunities will help her affect change.
Thank you, Alex. What’s up everybody? I wanna tell you what I tell high school students and their families when I give them tours of Susquehanna. If you invest your time, you’ll surely reap all of the benefits that this school has to offer. If you talk to students at S.U., they’ll say they see my hard work and dedication just about everywhere on campus. I’m putting in the time and effort to make an impact because that’s what’s important to me. I’m president of the Student Government Association, a student ambassador, an orientation leader, and a student mentor. I’ve studied at the Washington International Diplomatic Academy, a highly selective program selecting only 50 students from around the globe; and my experience was completely funded through the generosity of Susquehanna’s alumni donors. I’ve also gone with some of my classes to participate in a European Union simulation in Washington D.C. and I was invited to go again this year. This past summer I went to Austria and had an incredible experience. I learned so many different things about being in another country, another culture, and how we’re all connected. The resources available to students at Susquehanna are endless. You can almost trip over all of the opportunities available to you because they’re laid out right in front of you. Like I said, you just have to invest your time. In my four years here, I’ve learned more than how to be a political scientist. I’ve learned how to be a better person, a better student, a better community member, and a better leader. I now know what it means to achieve, lead, and serve. Thanks for following my story. Back to you, Alex.
Your hands-on learning and leadership experiences sound incredible, Arianna. You see the purpose in progress and have gained vital skills to be a critical thinker today and tomorrow. Students have access to real-world learning opportunities in their field, giving them relevant experience that will last a lifetime and launch them into their career with confidence.
UOPX may be mostly online, but that doesn’t mean Phoenix’s are alone. Say hello to Paula Hutchinson, an entrepreneur, speaker, and president of the alumni chapter in Phoenix, Arizona. The university has an alumni network of more than 1 million graduates across the country. Paula Hutchinson is one of them. Let’s see how she supports other Phoenixes in their goals. Go Paula.
Thanks Alex. I am proud to be a University of Phoenix alumni. My advisor had me hooked from our first conversation. She helped me through my degrees and through life changes ranging from sickness, to family deaths, to moving to Phoenix. Growing up, I saw how my mother and grandmother worked hard so I could have the education they didn’t. I understood early on that a college degree offered a chance at a better life. As a UOPX alumni Center chapter president, I see the same determination as so many other phoenixes who have made their educational dreams a reality. University of Phoenix provided a pathway to education and opportunity for me. Now that I am able to return that favor. As a president of the university’s alumni chapter in Phoenix where we have over a thousand members, it is important to me to serve as a major contributor to the alumni community, whether it’s by coordinating webinars with career advice, creating network opportunities, or simply cheering on other alumni who choose to earn another degree, which is what I’m doing by the way. I’m in the doctoral program now At University of Phoenix, the alumni community is all about building professional and personal relationships that go the distance and defy geographical distance. We share skills, contacts, advice, and opportunities. We help each other navigate life’s challenges. There is so much pride in this UOPX alumni community of professionals across the country. The university truly taught me to be a phoenix and rise from the ashes. I have already accomplished so much as an entrepreneur and educator. Now as I work toward completing my doctoral of education program, I look forward to champion for equitable education. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
Thanks, Paula. What an amazing way to stay connected after graduation. Joining one of UOPX’s 50 alumni chapters offers plenty of benefits from potential professional networking to quarterly social events to growing your leadership skills, and that’s not all. UOPX alumni can also join the exclusive Phoenix Link network, which is like an amplified career directory, and take advantage of tuition discounts and networking opportunities. Talk about community support. Take care.
We’re now gonna meet an alum with an accomplishment list a mile long, but Dr. Patrick Horton is most proud of his graduate graduate degrees from UOPX. He is a retired US Army sergeant who received the Purple Heart during Operation Iraqi Freedom, an executive vice president of program management, a college professor, and a member of Vistage Executive Coaching. Let’s hear what he has to say.
Thanks Alex, hey everyone. My academic journey at University of Phoenix was amazing. Because of the university’s e-learning platform, I was able to experience living in the locations around the world where I earned my graduate degrees. University of Phoenix allowed me to work on my schedule, which created an amazing work-life balance for me as a working professional. My journey started when I was released from US Army active duty and became a Department of Defense contractor. At that point in my life, I had an associate’s degree and dreamed of continuing my education, but school wasn’t an option. My schedule and working overseas made it difficult for me to attend classes. Then I found University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix was one of the first universities to revolutionize online learning. They had comprehensive programs in my field of information technology that aligned with my profession. I could pursue higher education while gaining valuable work experience, thus optimizing my potential for career enhancement in the most efficient way possible. The level of academic quality is second to none. The flexibility of the degree structure allowed me to travel the world and pursue new career opportunities without sacrificing academic quality. Attending a doctorate with classes that directly align with my executive workplace challenges, tasks, and scenarios, made me a believer that e-learning likely keeps a better place with the real world. The postgraduate degrees I earned at University of Phoenix helped me in my professional career and personal life. After completing the doctoral journey, I feel that there’s nothing that I can’t learn. I truly believe that knowledge acquisition is a compounding asset, and that because of my University of Phoenix journey, I grow exponentially as a person every day. Back to you, Alex.
Thank you, Patrick, and well done. UOPX offers doctoral degrees in business, healthcare, nursing, and education, and students receive support from a dedicated research chair. The College of Doctoral Studies prides itself in helping students distinguish themselves in the field while positively impacting their communities. Thank you for your service, Dr. Horton, and thank you for sharing your story.
We’re now gonna meet an alum with an accomplishment list a mile long, but Dr. Patrick Horton is most proud of his graduate graduate degrees from UOPX. He is a retired US Army sergeant who received the Purple Heart during Operation Iraqi Freedom, an executive vice president of program management, a college professor, and a member of Vistage Executive Coaching. Let’s hear what he has to say.
Thanks Alex, hey everyone. My academic journey at University of Phoenix was amazing. Because of the university’s e-learning platform, I was able to experience living in the locations around the world where I earned my graduate degrees. University of Phoenix allowed me to work on my schedule, which created an amazing work-life balance for me as a working professional. My journey started when I was released from US Army active duty and became a Department of Defense contractor. At that point in my life, I had an associate’s degree and dreamed of continuing my education, but school wasn’t an option. My schedule and working overseas made it difficult for me to attend classes. Then I found University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix was one of the first universities to revolutionize online learning. They had comprehensive programs in my field of information technology that aligned with my profession. I could pursue higher education while gaining valuable work experience, thus optimizing my potential for career enhancement in the most efficient way possible. The level of academic quality is second to none. The flexibility of the degree structure allowed me to travel the world and pursue new career opportunities without sacrificing academic quality. Attending a doctorate with classes that directly align with my executive workplace challenges, tasks, and scenarios, made me a believer that e-learning likely keeps a better place with the real world. The postgraduate degrees I earned at University of Phoenix helped me in my professional career and personal life. After completing the doctoral journey, I feel that there’s nothing that I can’t learn. I truly believe that knowledge acquisition is a compounding asset, and that because of my University of Phoenix journey, I grow exponentially as a person every day. Back to you, Alex.
Thank you, Patrick, and well done. UOPX offers doctoral degrees in business, healthcare, nursing, and education, and students receive support from a dedicated research chair. The College of Doctoral Studies prides itself in helping students distinguish themselves in the field while positively impacting their communities. Thank you for your service, Dr. Horton, and thank you for sharing your story.