Let me introduce you to Alexis, a senior studying finance and a Siena softball player. She knows that being part of a team involves a lot more than game time. Alexis, tell us how you discovered your winning combination of community athletics and academics at Siena.
– Thanks for that intro Alex. Coming from a big high school in Michigan with almost 2,500 students, I was looking for the intimate dynamic that a small private university offers. I was looking for a home away from home, somewhere that I could find a family within my teammates, peers, and the faculty here. The initial relationships I made with my admissions counselor and the campus tour guides made a memorable first impression. As a bonus, I was able to follow my passion for softball to continue on and play the collegiate level on the Saints softball team. Within our athletic department, I found an environment that supported students for success on and off the field. My teammates have provided a circle of love and encouragement through the transition from life with parents to life on my own. In my spare time on campus, I love to get together with friends and teammates in our field house to practice and play any pickup sport. As a resident assistant in our residence halls, I’m able to connect with athletes outside of my program and relate to their busy student athlete schedules. Leadership is easy to find here at Siena with the diverse amount of teams, clubs, and other programs offered on campus. Personally, I’ve been able to be involved in student government as a Senator and be a student ambassador in the admissions office, just like the students I looked up to on my tour. At SHU, I’ve been able to learn many valuable life lessons, ranging from little things like time management or organizational skills to broader ideas like becoming the best version of myself. And well, that’s my story here at SHU. Back to you, Alex.
– And a great story it is, Alexis. Siena offers a wide array of athletic programs, including a newly formed eSports team. You are a fabulous ambassador for the next class of Saints coming on board. We know that the connections you’ve made as a Siena Saint will serve you well beyond your time on campus. Solid academics are a given when considering a college, but so much more goes into an education.
Okay everyone. This next segment speaks to a passion of mine, performing arts. And let me tell you, from their brand new Spencer Performing Arts Center to administrators who engage in and support the arts, Siena has it all. Meet junior Autumn. She’s gonna show you how her love of the stage translates into love for Siena. Autumn, you are up.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. Hi everyone. I always knew that I wanted to study musical theater. I had went to a performance arts program in high school, and after that, I knew I wanted a theater program that would act as my second family, especially being so far away from home. During my two years here, I’ve been able to be extremely involved and take leadership roles on and off stage. I was in “Steel Magnolias”, Tilly in “She Kills Monsters”. I was in the ensemble for “Rent” and dance captain and dance ensemble for “Big Fish”. As a major in musical theater, you’re required to either work in the costume shop or the scene shop. I work in the costume shop and I’ve been able to take some leadership responsibilities there as well. At Siena, we have a theater fraternity called Alpha Psi Omega. I am a member and I was elected President for my junior year. The administrators always make sure they come see our performances. They love to see what their students have been working extremely hard on. Also the theater and music department makes sure they come see one another in their performances because it is extremely important to support the arts and the messages art spreads. The skills I’ve learned here at Siena as a Musical Theater major are skills that I could use anywhere. My communication and leadership skills have grown tremendously along with my growth as a performer. And on top of that, I’ve created bonds with both students and professors that I’ll have forever. I couldn’t have picked a better university to follow my dreams. That’s all for me. Alex, take us to our next performance.
– Thank you, Autumn. Siena’s renowned performing arts programs have produced graduates whose careers include Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera, television, movies, and much, much more, and their visual fine arts programs are held in equally high regard. When you come to Siena, you learn how best to express your gifts.
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.