It’s time to meet Nathan. Nathan hales from Stoneham, Massachusetts. He’s a first year honor student majoring in biomedical engineering, and he’s on the pre-med track. He is also an esteemed athlete, a swimmer. Let’s dive in with Nathan to learn all about athletics at Catholic University. Take it away, Nathan.
– Thanks, Alex. I came to the Catholic University of America to get an education that’s founded in faith. In addition to being a biomedical engineering student in the honors program, I’m also on the men’s CUA swim and dive team. Being a student athlete has taught me many amazing skills like time management and leadership. I’m a part of the 25% of the undergraduate student body who participates in a varsity sport, and many of our teams make it to the national championship each year. As a top division three athletic institution, Catholic University attracts student athletes who value the opportunity to compete in a sport they love in college. Here at Catholic U, there’s an emphasis on athletics, but we know that we are students first. Many of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni come to our events each week to support us and the community. Our coaches help us to achieve not only our athletic goals, but our academic goals as well. Being a student athlete is great at Catholic U. Varsity, club, intramural, e-sports, we have it all here. Another great thing about being a student athlete is the friends you’ll instantly make. You’ll meet people from across all fields of study, and most won’t even be in your year. The older kids on your teams are a great resource to talk to when you have questions or concerns about your classes or your schedule. Here at Catholic University, there’s an emphasis not only about what you can learn in the classroom, but how you can use those skills in real life. Being an athlete teaches you many skills that you can’t learn in the lecture hall. Whatever your major, sport, or passion, here, you will not only gain great experience, but you’ll be among a group of your peers who are trying to make everything and everyone around them better every day. That’s all for me. Back to you, Alex, and go Cards.
Thank you, Nathan. So many varsity, intramural, and other athletic opportunities here at Catholic University. That was awesome. Take care.
Okay, let’s meet Maddy. She’s a senior English major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pursuing minors in drama and media studies, and somehow she still finds time to serve her community on and off campus. Maddy was drawn to Catholic University for the opportunities it would open up for her, the rigorous academics, and an immediate sense of belonging. Maddy, please take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. I scoped out many options in DC, but Catholic U’s capacity for both individualized attention and expansive connections really stood out to me, and I especially loved its tangible sense of genuineness. I’m an English major, minoring in both drama and media studies. Catholic U lives up to its Catholic values of service and community through so many different aspects of campus life. I have had the pleasure of being involved with many programs that put these core principles into practice. Through Friday night house events and weekly service opportunities like homeless food runs, I have seen firsthand how campus ministry merges faith with friendship, fellowship, and fun, while serving those in the community. Every year, nearly 80 students spend their spring or summer break serving others on mission trips across the country and the world. I am also currently involved with the Office of Campus Activities, OCA, where I help students become more involved. One aspect of OCA is that we get to plan and execute first year orientation, and this year I served as an orientation student coordinator. In this role, I have developed a fierce appreciation for connecting faculty with students, and the importance of planning, execution, and improvement of our many student-led clubs and events. Warm, welcoming, wide ranging, these are my go-to words when describing Catholic University and the experiences I’ve had with service and student involvement. The friendships and connections that I have made make me feel like I am part of a community where I can confidently say that I am not just another number. College is a fundamental chapter of any person’s life, and Catholic U has dynamically molded my own. Beyond my academics, resume, and even involvement, I am most proud of self-growth which continually contributes to the best, most authentic version of myself. That’s a snapshot of me. Back to you, Alex.
Wow, thank you, Maddy. What a spirit of service. We can’t wait to see what you do next. Your journey as a person and as a student is so inspiring, and really speaks to the quality of the people and the programs here at Catholic University. Take care, Maddy.
Let’s meet Samuel, a computer science major from Bowie, Maryland who will tell us all about Catholic U’s unique sense of community. One thing you’ll hear over and over when students describe their experience at Catholic U is that it’s set apart by its tight knit community and friendliness. Tell us more, Samuel.
– Thanks, Alex. Growing up, I always saw the impact community and a sense of belonging can have on a person. Knowing that people will be there for you one way or another makes a huge difference, and this was a quality the Catholic University of America definitely possessed. In addition to a strong liberal arts core, Catholic U offers multiple STEM degrees with various career paths. Personally, I chose computer science, because I’ve always had an interest in engineering and computing. My professors helped guide this pursuit for knowledge by guiding me to different organizations on campus that support such a desire, support me in the acquisition of internships, and even going as far as advising me on how to achieve my postgraduate goals. A community doesn’t stop at your major. With more than 100 student organizations and clubs on campus, there’s quite literally something for everybody. I’m a member of the Black Student Alliance and Take Flight, an organization that helps first generation college students navigate their way through college through our Center for Cultural Engagement. Both organizations are focused on ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds feel like their voices are being heard. Those organizations inspired me to go the extra mile by becoming a member of the university’s diversity and inclusion initiative on campus. I’ve also enjoyed my time being a resident assistant, supporting my peers in the dorms. Catholic U’s programs helped reinforce many of my own personal values through its community, sense of belonging, and curriculum. I’ve been able to grow and cultivate in the knowledge of computer science and its various roles in the workforce while staying true to and reinforcing many of my own personal values, making me a well-rounded individual who is passionate about his studies and his community. Well, that’s all for me. Back to you, Alex.
Thanks, Samuel. With so many student organizations and supportive professors, it sounds like Catholic U really creates a sense of belonging and a welcoming environment for all students. Take care, Samuel.
Let’s hear from Claire. Claire is from Fairfield, Connecticut, and is a recent graduate of Catholic University’s nursing program. Now she works as an emergency room registered nurse, where she puts her Catholic U education into practice every day. As a student, Claire also received valuable mentorship from peers and professors, which really helped jumpstart her career. All yours, Claire.
– Thank you, Alex. I always knew I wanted to find a nursing program and community where I could flourish. At Catholic U, that’s exactly what happened. Touring campus, I felt welcomed immediately, and I was able to meet with the undergraduate advisor of the School of Nursing who answered all my questions about the nursing program, ranked top 6% in the country. Catholic U provided me experience to prepare for my profession. As president of the Student Nurses Association, I helped bridge the gap between under and upperclassmen through a peer mentorship program, and I even studied abroad in their programs in Australia and Italy. Catholic U even has a campus in Rome where many students study for a semester. The Conway School of Nursing has a near 100% first time National Council Licensure Examination pass rate, which isn’t surprising after going through the program. Even though my first year nursing class had over 100 students, the professor learned each of our names and complimented me personally on my success. Most of my nursing peers are starting in critical settings and intense positions as new graduates. Catholic U’s hands-on instruction and experience prepared us to handle that level of care. I developed personal relationships with many of the nursing faculty who continue to serve as mentors in my profession today. After I graduated, I published my undergraduate work in peer mentorship in a nursing journal with the help of Catholic U faculty. After starting my career as an emergency room registered nurse this summer, I know without a doubt that I’m a better nurse because of the instruction I received at Catholic U as part of the Conway School of Nursing, and I’m very grateful for that, and I know my patients are too. Back to you, Alex.
Thanks for sharing, Claire. It’s fantastic that you left Catholic University feeling equipped for working as a nurse, and you got to study abroad twice. What a way to make the most of your Catholic U experience. Take care.
Now we’re gonna chat with Garrett, a School of Business student double majoring in accounting and business administration, Western’s most popular major. Feeling fulfilled in a career is one of the most rewarding experiences college graduates look forward to. Garrett is here to share his journey from student to intern at one of the most cutting-edge aerospace companies in the country. Take it away.
– Thank you, Alex. What do you all think is one of the most important things to focus on early in a career? I’ve been told that building relationships is a crucial element of kick-starting life after college, and I’ve come to realize this as I gain more real world business experience. At Western Colorado University, the School of Business’s personalized approach to education offers students a phenomenal opportunity to begin building those relationships early. I’ve always enjoyed the small school feeling of recognizing everyone’s faces and receiving more personalized instruction from my teachers. My accounting professor is a perfect example of the quality instructors here at Western who have worked with me and countless other students to bring our passions into the classroom. I was hired as an intern by Lockheed Martin to help manage the contracts of NASA Deep Space Exploration missions. I’ve worked with the company continuously throughout the school year, and have been supported and encouraged by my professors to use what I learn at the company to enhance my learning at Western, and vice versa. For my accounting capstone final, I used what I learned about contracting with the government and combined it with an interest in ethics to give a presentation to my peers that genuinely excited me. By learning more about the fascinating history of the military industrial complex, I became more engaged in my work and in my education. Further, I was able to leverage the relationships I had at both my job and at school to gain further insight into the topic. Western understands how bringing your interests into the classroom enhances your education, and you build some great relationships in the process. I’m excited to take these lessons and apply them to life after college. Circling back to you, Alex.
– Though Western is a smaller school, it doesn’t mean students don’t get to pursue big professional opportunities. School of Business students like Garrett have gone on to land jobs and internships at Red Bull, Zillow, Starbucks, and many more places. There’s no limit to where Western students take their degree. That was awesome. Take care.
All right, it’s time to talk with Julianne about one of Western’s most unique majors, recreation and outdoor education. In the heart of the Rockies, it’s hard to think of a better place to learn how to support people who want to get outside on foot, skis, bikes, rafts, and climbing ropes. With her true passion for the outdoors, there’s no better person to speak about this program. Take it away.
– I appreciate it, Alex. Ever since seventh grade, I’ve wanted to work as an outdoor educator. After discovering Western Colorado University’s Recreation Outdoor Education, or ROE Program, I knew this was the place for me. I wanted to go to school in a place where I could really explore, and here, I fell in love with the beauty of the valley. The ROE Program differed from other schools because of the many different emphasis fields. Studying outdoor education specifically, as opposed to only recreation, really drew me in. I didn’t want a education solely in the classroom, and Western allowed me to get out and get hands-on. As part of an ROE degree, students take different field-based courses that are done in the weeks before and after school. Gunnison Valley provides an awesome backdrop for these courses, with recreation opportunities in all four seasons, ranging from mountain biking to ski mountaineering. In my first field-based course, I skied for the first time. Being from an area with no snow, I was terrified. My classmates and faculty guided me through the whole way. Standing at the top of the mountain, I felt a sense of accomplishment for pushing myself to a whole new level. Our outside curriculum is spectacular. Our inside learning is just as amazing. Our faculty brings in years of experience in the outdoor industry to help guide you to your dream job. I recently took an interpretation of natural and cultural history class taught by an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service. Now, my goal is to be a park ranger as well. Being at Western has allowed me to grow in ways I could not have imagined, pushed me to step outside my comfort zone. Hope to see y’all around campus one day. I’ll see you at the parks, Alex.
– With access to over 2 million acres of public land, 750 miles of single track trails, two ski resorts within 45 miles of campus, and even an on-campus gear rental shop, Western ROE students truly have a learning experience like none other. Thanks again, Julianne.
As a liberal arts institution, Western offers over 100 areas of study, and students are encouraged to take classes from a variety of different disciplines. Though some of these programs couldn’t be more different from each other, they have one major thing in common, hands-on learning. Let’s talk with business and theater student Morgan about her Western experience so far. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. The most important things on my list when looking for schools was a place I could call home, somewhere that I can grow as a person and a student, and a place that I can have a great college experience. Western checked all of those boxes. All of my classes have been very hands on, like my acting classes, where we act out different scenes every other week. There are also many other classes in the arts that are hands-on, like aesthetic lighting and film theory, where you learn different lighting techniques. The professor will even have students from other arts departments come in and model for the class. With Western being the size that it is, there are more opportunities for everybody to grow. In my short time at Western, I’ve become very involved with the Western Theatre Company, and I even decided to add a minor in theater. I’ve learned things from low-flying trapeze to working lights in the studio theater. Did you know that when a large group of people gather in a theater or an auditorium to watch a play or listen to an orchestra, all of their heartbeats sync up? Pretty cool, if you ask me. Western can bring you so many new and exciting opportunities, experiential education, a supportive community, and a ski resort down the road. Life is never boring in the Gunnison Valley. When I first began looking for a place to call home for the next four years, I never expected to find a place as wonderful as Western. I’ve learned so much about myself and who I wanna be as a person. Western has done such a great job on preparing me for my future. Alrighty, good talk. Thanks, Alex.
– Morgan, it sounds like you truly found your place here at Western. With the dozens of unique learning opportunities here, you get what you give, and there’s no limit to the quality and quantity of education you can receive, especially with the support of such enthusiastic, encouraging faculty. That was awesome.
Let’s head over to meet Myles, a senior in business administration who’s studying finance and minoring in recreation and outdoor education. She’s a heptathlete on the Track and Field Team, and she’s gonna share her experience being a student athlete at Western.
– Thanks, Alex, and hi, everybody. Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to be a college athlete. I realized that I loved the outdoors and the college town feel, and knew that those had to be important elements to consider when choosing a college. At Western Colorado University, I am not only a part of the Track and Field Team, but I’m also a part of a tight-knit and supportive community of peers and professors who push me to better myself and try new things every day. A great thing about running Track at Western is the elevation that Gunnison is situated at. The town sits at 7,703 feet, which gives us the rights to the highest indoor collegiate track in the world. We have a fantastic indoor track, as well as a weight room, and I am super excited about the renovations to the Mountaineer Bowl, which is where our outdoor track is located. On the track, I have the most amazing coaches and teammates who push me in my lifts and my workouts so I can be the best athlete possible. At Western, all student athletes are striving to excel in our sports, and also in the classroom. Our coaches push us to be good students and good athletes, but most of all, to be great people on and off the track. Western also offers tons of great club sport and intramural sport opportunities. There are so many sports to choose from, as well as tons of home and away games and tournaments. It’s crazy to me that I am in my last year at Western. I’m so sad to be leaving this valley, but this place has taught me so much. My education and the athletics here at Western have taught me that I can achieve anything if I have an open mind, show kindness to others, and work hard. That’s all for me, Alex. Gotta run.
– Thank you, Myles. Western is small but mighty when it comes to NCAA athletics. The Mountaineers have won 15 team national championships and 98 conference titles, 120 individual national champions, and nearly 400 All-Americans. Some athletes have even gone on to compete in the NFL and Olympic games. There must be something about training in that thin mountain air. Thanks again.
Making the jump from high school to college can be challenging, which is why I wanna chat with Maddey about Western’s EPIC Mentorship Program. EPICs are upper class students who help both first-year and transfer students navigate their transitions to Western and connect them with campus resources. Maddey, let’s hear a little bit more about you and the EPIC Program.
– Thank you, Alex. Howdy, everyone. Growing up in Colorado Springs as a first generation student, my priority in finding a college was making sure it had all the resources and opportunities for me to succeed. Western Colorado University has the unique opportunity for all incoming students to be paired with a mentor that guides them through their first year at Western. Coming to college is scary, but having an EPIC Mentor and experienced peer initiating connections helped me find my belonging on campus. My first year at Western, my EPIC Mentor showed me how to network and encouraged me to go after leadership roles. One, two, three!
– I joined the Women’s Hockey Team and found a wonderful community. Now, in my last year at Western, I’m the President of the Women’s Hockey Team and the Student Coordinator of the EPIC Mentor Program. As a mentor, we know all the resources around campus to get you connected, like the Math Center, Writing Center, and mental health resources. Being a mentor is a bridge of communication from professional offices and staff to students. It’s also being your cheerleader and someone who nudges you to keep fighting at the end of the semester. One of my favorite things about being an EPIC Mentor is seeing my mentees succeed in their classes after struggling in the first few weeks of classes. Western is not just a small town college, but a way to get to know my professors and classmates on a personal level. Once I graduate from Western, I’ll be taking a gap year before going to physical therapy school, in hopes to be a physical therapist for athletes. That’s my EPIC story. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Maddey, and keep up the awesome work. It’s great to see students like you sharing resources and tools to help your new peers to not just survive, but thrive in their first semester at Western.
Let’s talk with Kate. While most universities have sports teams, Western students can combine their passion for adventure with collegiate athletics through the Mountain Sports program. Kate, a recent graduate, took skiing to the next level by participating on the Freeride Team. She’s here to tell us all about her Western experience on and off the slopes.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. I am so excited to talk about Western’s very unique Mountain Sports Program. Since I grew up skiing 10 minutes from home and with great outdoor access, I knew I had to continue my education in the mountains. Western Colorado University made for a perfect fit because of its location. I could receive a high quality education while also living in a beautiful and active place. With interest in bringing my skiing to the next level, I decided to join the Mountain Sports Freeride Team. Freeride is a form of skiing and snowboarding that involves taking full advantage of the terrain of the mountain, whether that be skiing technical lines or dropping cliffs. I came to the team with no competitive experience and had never taken my skis off of the ground. Over the next four years, I learned how to ski fast and drop cliffs, made the greatest friendships, and traveled all over the country and even Canada to compete. A highlight was winning a competition in Juneau, Alaska and sharing the podium with my teammates. The Freeride Ski and Snowboard Team is just one of seven Mountain Sports teams. Western also offers alpine skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, trail running, ski mountaineering, and Nordic skiing teams. All teams provide quality coaching and several travel opportunities at an affordable cost. Some people join for personal growth, and others hope to become professional athletes. The program also ensures balance between your academics and sport of choice. I graduated summa cum laude and never felt overwhelmed by being a Mountain Sports athlete. During my time at Western, I fell in love with not only skiing, but the school, the people, and the area. I loved it all so much that I now work for Western as a Marketing Content Coordinator. I hope to help bring new students here so they can share an equally fulfilling college experience. That’s all from me. See you on the mountain, Alex.
– It’s not at every university that students get to finish up their days with world class skiing and snowboarding. Some students have even gone on to earn professional sponsorships following their time on Mountain Sports teams at Western. This place truly reaches another level when it comes to providing an educational adventure. Thank you so much. That was an amazing story.