Business degrees are available nearly anywhere you look. Here is Mercedes who wouldn’t settle on a program until she knew it would give her the educational foundation and experiential opportunities to prepare her the business world. She has some great insights on building a meaningful degree experience.
– Thanks Alex, and hello everyone. My name is Mercedes Starr and I toured a lot of small private liberal arts colleges before I came here to Siena Heights. At each one, they told me that I would be treated as more than a number. It wasn’t until I came here that I believed it for the very first time. I saw it, felt it, and knew that it was the place for me, despite being so far away from my home state of Arizona. Successful business is all about networking and building those personal connections. For me that looks like becoming very involved on campus. As Treasurer of student government and President of Student Programming, Recreation and Activities Committee, SPARC, I can make my ideas a reality. I’ve used my finance skills to help fund campus improvements with student government, such as adding hammocks on campus or remodeling the kitchenette in the residence halls. I’ve also used my management and business skills to host events with SPARC, such as field trips to Cedar Point, late night breakfast events, and hosting a Holi Festival on campus. Attending leadership conferences such as the National Association for Campus Activities, NACA, funded through Siena Heights, has helped build my abilities as a speaker and a leader. Two things that are invaluable in today’s business environment. I’m currently expanding my leadership skills outside of Siena as a business intern, focusing on small business development. This summer, I will complete a finance internship. My undergraduate business classes provided the foundation for my successes. Now I’m considering Siena’s accelerated MBA where I can start taking classes for the MBA program during my senior year. Whichever career path you choose, I encourage you to take your learning beyond the classroom and become involved in your community. There are people and resources available at Siena to support you. That’s the Siena Effect. Back to you, Alex.
– More than just a number. You got that right, Mercedes. And moving on to Siena’s accelerated MBA sounds like a perfect fit. We wish you much success in your internship and your graduate work.
Wyatt is pursuing a nursing degree at Siena in hopes of combining his two interests, health sciences, and serving others. He recaps for us how Siena’s state of the art nursing facilities are preparing him for his clinical work at local hospitals and medical offices. Wyatt, tell us more about your CNA experience.
– Thanks Alex. Since I was a kid, there are two things I love doing, and that’s helping others and playing football. After a football related injury and multiple surgeries, I realized that health sciences can combine these two things into one profession. I love the interactive learning style available here at Siena. My nursing classes get the right information to you, and it is designed for the best out of the box learning available. The state of the art tools, the rigorous courses, and the one-on-one learning style help me push myself to excel from day one. The classroom sizes here provide for the most effective and efficient individual and communal learning available with professors either right by your side or an email away. The course load will make you think critically and help you use the correct judgment for the problem at hand. And our advanced learning styles create realistic real life situations from freshman year to graduation. As I progress through the nursing major, I’m extremely excited to start clinical studies to receive hands-on experience and to move from the classroom off this beautiful campus and to some incredible local medical facilities. I think of our clinicals as the training wheels for the beginning of our journey into the nursing programs, with experience, instruction and training, us nursing majors will be ready for any rock in the road or bump ahead of us. Once I begin my career, I’ll be able to pursue my passion of serving others and become the best nurse that Siena has created. Maybe one day I could be the inspiration for a young injured athlete who doesn’t know what they want with their future either, just like me. Thanks for listening. Back to you, Alex.
– Wyatt, you are an inspiration. We wish you the best as you continue your studies and move into a role that is in very high demand. Thanks again.
Meet Liam who comes from a long line of Siena Saints and has found a degree pathway that fits his interests in business and Spanish. As President of the unofficial Spanish Club, Liam explains how a liberal arts education is helping him chart his course to success.
– Thanks for the glorious intro, Alex. and hola amigos. For me, Siena was an easy decision as I grew up visiting campus and my entire family attended. In addition to upholding the family tradition, I knew I wanted to attend a liberal arts school. Some of my favorite parts of Siena are the relationships I’ve established. Working with my faculty mentor, I explored a variety of options and decided on a double major of Business and Spanish. As a part of my degree pathway, I will spend a semester in Costa Rice to increase my fluency, experience a new culture, gain a global perspective, and enjoy the pura vida lifestyle. In addition to my classes, I serve as the President of the unofficial Spanish Club, one of many clubs on campus that put on events for students. Participating in these co-curricular organizations is what sets Siena apart from all the other schools I visited during my search. Here, you are seen, recognized, and appreciated for who you are. I love that Siena wants me to take classes outside of my major as part of the liberal arts identity. I am learning, exploring, and understanding the world around me from so many different perspectives. I know that what I’ve learned at Siena will help me navigate life after graduation. Thanks to the connections I have at Siena, after graduating, I will move to Spain and teach for several years. From there it’s Italy and the rest of Europe. Nos vamos, Alex.
– Muy bueno Liam. Your Siena education will serve you well as you travel the globe and find new adventures ahead. Keep the DiPietro Siena legacy going strong.
Choosing a college is about finding the right fit, the place where you will flourish and become the best version of you. Let me introduce you to Paige, a freshman at Siena who was in your shoes just a short time ago. Let’s hear about her journey and the opportunities at Siena to get acquainted and find your fit. Welcome, Paige.
– Thanks Alex. Hi everyone. Choosing what college to attend can be a really hard decision. As a senior in high school, I know exactly how you may feel. However, Siena made my decision very easy. They provided me with many amazing opportunities and events to attend, which ultimately solidified my decision to go to Siena Heights. In my college search, I looked for a school with an outstanding biology program and a bowling team. With Siena having both, I immediately reached out and applied the end of my junior year. I was invited to the Academic Scholarship Competition Day, offered to select high school juniors to meet with faculty, current students, and other interested students. I was able to learn a lot about the university and see how their biology program sets them apart from others. Most recently, I attended an Art Scholarship Day. I was able to meet with faculty, get a personal tour of the studio, and a portfolio review. I got a taste of the art program and immediately fell in love with it. Because I wanted to join the bowling team, I was invited to spend the night on campus and stay in the dorms with a few girls. I got to experience dorm life, bowling practice, and attend their study tables time, where they get together to study. All these opportunities and more are offered to any future and current student and are a great way to learn what life is like at Siena. Now I am most excited for the classes that I’m going to take and the team that I’m gonna be a part of. I’m happy to know that I have made the right choice. All right, Alex, it’s your turn.
– Thank you, Paige. Whether it’s meeting faculty and learning about programs at the Academic Scholarship Competition Days, or hanging out with fellow students for an overnight on campus experience, you’re encouraged to get a taste of what makes Siena the special place it is. And like Paige, you will find your perfect fit. Thanks again, Paige.
While academics are important in college, the holistic campus experience at SBU also encourages servant leadership. Britney, a marketing major from Webster Groves, Missouri is gonna tell us how being a student athlete and a campus leader has taught her skills she wouldn’t have learned anywhere else. Let’s hear your story, Britney.
– Thanks for that intro Alex. Growing up, I was told I shouldn’t take having an education for granted. Because I’m a triplet, I wanted to make college more affordable for my parents. SBU helped me do that through academics and athletic scholarships, as a member of the track team. I was drawn to Southwest Baptist University because of their faith integration in academics and in campus life. I’ve always been a believer, but I never really knew how strong I could grow in my faith until I came here. Being a leader on campus has shown me how much I love my school. As a leader in student association, I have helped organize events. I love to see students get involved and it gives me the opportunity to really get to know my fellow peers. For example, I helped with our Bearcat Back-to-School Bash, which is a fun event with music, pizza and a ton of yard games. It was a really cool moment just to see our campus come together as a whole. When I first started college, I really thought that it was just going to help me academically, but boy was I wrong. Through student association and track, I’ve been able to hone my skills as a leader. I’ve learned that I can’t do all of these things in my own strength, but rather lean on the Lord and my teammates and coaches as well. SBU’s close knit community makes it easy for students to find leadership opportunities. All in all, SBU has taught me that you can’t do this whole life thing alone. So thank you SBU for teaching me the things that I would not have learned had I gone anywhere else? That’s all for me. Alex, you can take it back.
– That’s great, Britney. I don’t know how you keep up with track, student leadership and your classes all at the same time. SBU makes it easy for students to get involved on campus and become a true servant leader, which helps build a stellar resume for future employment or grad school applications. Cheers, Britney. I wanna thank all the amazing students from Southwest Baptist University, for sharing their incredible stories. Thank you for sharing about how God is using SBU to help you find your purpose and pursue your calling.
Attending SBU opens up a world of opportunities. Next we’ll meet Nathan, an accounting and economics finance major from Royse City, Texas, who has connected with a diverse group of students on the SBU campus. He also has traveled the world on academic end service trips. Nathan, tell us all about your amazing adventures.
– Hi everyone, growing up, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. While I knew I wanted to go to college, where I would go and what I would study, was entirely unclear. My senior year of high school, I took my first accounting class and completed my capstone on corporate fraud, which confirmed my desire to study accounting, but where? My brother actually started going here three years before me. So I was already familiar with the university. I was drawn to SBU’s College of Business because of their incredible job placement rates and pass rates on licensing exams. Since becoming a student, I’ve gotten involved with residence life and the CGC or Center for Global Connections. These organizations have connected me with the diverse array of students and faculty we have here on campus. I’ve also had the opportunity to travel abroad on mission trips and study abroad through the CGC. Freshman year, I went to the Philippines and Florida on mission trips. And more recently I led a trip to Utah. I also studied abroad for a summer in Jerusalem. My engagement with other cultures doesn’t stop with the CGC. As an RA in Landon Hall, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor and lead students from all different backgrounds and walks of life. Each day is full of new adventures. You can find me doing anything from tutoring students to learning, how to make Spanish omelets with residents from Spain or fried rice, with a friend from China. We may not be a large university, but that does not prevent us from having a diverse student body. During my time here, I’ve made friends from over 30 countries. These people have not only challenged me intellectually, but also encouraged and supported me. I could not not have asked for a better place to study. Thanks for letting me share my story, back to you Alex.
– What a journey you have had Nathan. SBU’s Center for Global Connections is a leader among Christian colleges in the U.S., for sending students on service projects around the world. The diverse student body also gives you opportunities to become acquainted with other cultures through friendships with your fellow students. And that is awesome. Take care.
Talent and creativity are on display everywhere on the SBU campus. SBU has a wide variety of fine arts programs from art to theater to music. And Maddie is gonna tell us about all these opportunities. She’s a Music Education major from Colorado Springs, Colorado, who wants to be a music therapist. Take it away, Maddie.
– Thank you Alex,, hello, everyone. Growing up in a big city definitely had its perks, but I knew when I wanted to go to college, I wanted it to be personal. Transitioning from a big city in Colorado to a smaller town in Missouri was a little challenging, but so incredibly worth it. The professors at Southwest Baptist University make your academics personal and care about you for you. I even get to play the trombone with president Nelson. With the smaller class sizes, everyone gets to know each other on a deeper level and it elevates the classroom experience. The fine arts programs welcome everyone, which allows for a variety of talent or commitment. You do not have to be a fine arts major to be involved. For every area of the fine arts programs, whether it’s art, theater or music, the goal is to encourage students as artists and teach them how to find their talent. Coming into college, I had a general idea of what I wanted to do. I am currently studying music education with the intent to go into music therapy. I’ve had the opportunity to go into nearby schools, to work with band programs and observe how they incorporate special needs students into their music programs. There are so many activities for students in the fine arts programs, from musicals, plays, art exhibits, jazz band, orchestra, wind symphony, and even the university band. There truly is something for everyone. SBU has turned my dreams into a reality. I get the chance to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom and I have loved every minute of it. I encourage you wherever you end up to push yourself out of your comfort zone and be invested in the fine arts programs. Thanks everyone, and back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Maddie. You are going to be a great music therapist. Everyone at SBU can be involved in the fine arts, adding to an already rich college experience. Students can also attend fine arts events for free or at a reduced cost, further making the arts accessible to everybody here. Thanks again Maddie.
SBUs teacher preparation program is equipping future teachers as servant leaders to inspire future generations of students. Here to tell us more is Keiton, an elementary education major from Odessa, Missouri. Through partnerships with local school districts, students will experience multiple classrooms before landing your first job as a teacher. The classroom is all your Keiton.
– Thanks Alex, hey everyone. When it came to choosing my major, I wasn’t sure if becoming a teacher was what I really wanted. That was until I toured Southwest Baptist University and met the amazing professors we have here. After all my college visits, I then realized where I would receive the best education and where I’d be able to become the best teacher. It was SBU. The education department provides every student with a great experience and even better education. As an education major, you get hands on experience right away, even as a freshman or sophomore. My field experiences, give me the opportunities to take what I’m learning and apply it to a real and unpredictable environment in local schools. Outside of the classroom, our professors are still modeling what it looks like to be a great teacher, by encouraging us through their actions and words. My professors love when you stop by their offices to talk or even just to say hi. The education program is a standout program where you’re able to interact with professors, other education majors and get the hands on experiences, you need to be ready to teach. Our education students get the opportunity to be in the classroom before you graduate with their field experiences, student teaching semester and the Bearcat teach internship. And there are different opportunities within our program like global education and special education. A hundred percent of our students pass the Special Education Certification on the first try. The education department and professors have impacted me and helped me grow in more ways than they know. And I will be forever grateful for that. Not only do you learn how to teach students, but you’ll do it so many times that you’ll be ready for anything thrown your way. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you Keiton for telling us how you are learning to become a teacher. Your students are gonna love having you in the classroom. SBU education faculty help graduates find jobs in area school districts, and continue to mentor their students after they have classrooms of their own. That is awesome. All right, Keiton, take care.
Math, physic, computer science, our next student does them all. Hannah is from Forsyth, Missouri, and is majoring in math and physics with a minor in computer science. She also is doing an internship with a major research institution to compliment her work at SVU. Tell us all about it, Hannah.
– Thanks Alex. Hey everyone. Southwest Baptist University has always been a part of my life. I grew up coming here for church camp and my brother played baseball here. So it was an easy decision for me to attend here. And I’m so glad I did. During my first year at SBU, I was able to dive right into my math courses and get experience coding in two languages. That much exposure so early on, set me up for success and solidified my decision to study math. After my junior year, I was able to complete an undergraduate math research internship with UCLA, and I’ve been accepted as a fellow in MIT’s Summer Geometry Initiative for this summer. I wouldn’t have been able to have these experiences if SBU didn’t prepare us and encourage us to pursue these kinds of opportunities. The division of computing in mathematics emphasizes internships in preparing students for their next steps, whether that’s graduate school or industry careers. With a 100% job placement rating for math and computer science majors, SUB graduates have gone on to work for Fortune 500 companies like IBM, Hewlett Packard and even Microsoft. After I graduate, I plan to attend graduate school so I can continue to study math. The professors here are so passionate about their subjects. They’ve inspired me to become a math professor, so I can continue sharing my own passions with students. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– I am so excited about your future Hannah. SBU cyber security and computer science programs have accreditations from ABET, a leading engineering and technology organization. Few Christian colleges have this accreditation that affirms the academic quality of the programs. Plus, students complete courses, such as math through the eyes of faith that explore how the Christian faith intersects with academic disciplines. Thanks again, Hannah.
College students amaze me with their abilities, especially when it comes to scientific research. Corynn is gonna tell us more about how doing research as an undergraduate student, has influenced her career path. She is from right here in Bolivar, Missouri, and is majoring in biology with a biomedical concentration. Corynn, you are up.
– Thank you, Alex. Southwest Baptist University was an unexpected surprise in my life. My initial plan was to go to community college, to get my associates degree and then transfer to a four year university. I’ve always known I wanted to work in the sciences. So my courses being taught with excellence was very important to me. Between my junior and senior year. I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of Johns Hopkins summer research program in the neuroscience department. Aside from a crash course in neurobiology, I was struck by how well prepared I had been by SBU. I’ve also been a part of SBUs undergraduate research program. This group looks at everything from A & B and diversity to cortisol’s role in stress responses in calfs. My project specifically has been looking at vaccine’s efficiency within calfs. The particularly interesting part about this research is its relevance to both agriculture and biomedical sciences. Due to the similarities between human and bovine immune systems. It has been because of my education, professors and SBU research that my goal is to pursue a career in biomedical research and immunology. My time here has given the experience in graduate level research, opportunities to publish my research in a dozen publications and a solid foundation for my future. SBU equips its students academically, in the sciences will also successfully integrating faith. As I go into the next stage of my education on my route to becoming Dr. Knight, I can confidently say that I have been equipped both of my beliefs as a Christian, as well as my training as a scientist. And that’s my story Alex, back to you.
– What an impressive story Corynn, you have a great future ahead of you. While SBU focuses primarily on being a teaching university, students also have opportunities to conduct advanced research. This is especially helpful when applying to graduate schools in science related fields. Cheers Corynn.