Let’s head over to the new Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering where we’ll meet class of 2019 graduate, Jasmine. Jasmine is a first-generation college graduate who enrolled at URI, not knowing what was to come. That’s common for so many students entering college. In fact, one in every three entering students at URI, aren’t quite sure what they will major in. Students at URI are supported in making big decisions and are given the autonomy to try new things. Let’s hear more about Jasmine’s story.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. As a 2019 alumna of the University of Rhode Island, I wanna share my URI story with you as it may not be exactly what you would expect. My dream was to work in the fashion or cosmetic industry. I entered URI double majoring in chemical engineering and French. When I arrived to URI as a first-generation Latina student in the engineering field, I had significant imposter syndrome. This caused quite the struggle because I faced years of attempting to succeed in a major that I wasn’t sure I was truly passionate about. I joined an organization called DRIVE, which stands for Diversifying, Recruiting, Inspiring, Volunteering, and Educating, which helped create a community that I could lean on. And I learned how to utilize resources that my professors provided for classroom work that I needed. I took a material science and engineering course with professor Otto Gregory that I realized I could combine both my academic interests with my personal dreams. The material science class opened my eyes to find metalwork and ended up changing the course of my life. Professor Gregory provided me the opportunity to work with tempered glass. And then eventually, I learned about the casting and metal shaping process. Academic support wasn’t the only support that I needed at my time here at URI. Attending a predominantly white institution as a student of color had its own challenges that I needed to navigate. One of the first ways that I found support was attending the multicultural overnight program during my college search process. I met my two best friends in the program. They understood the pressures of being a first-generation student and empathized with me during my college career. Finding others who share similar experiences through organizations like DRIVE make all the difference. I never imagined that I’d be able to combine my engineering degree with my passion for luxury fashion, but I was able to do this because of the exposure to challenge and coursework, and the support that I received from university faculty and staff. My advice to you, take advantage of the support and resources offered by this incredible community because it will help you achieve your dreams. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Jasmine. Your story really has come full circle. The URI support services, mentors, and organizations you were involved with helped you to achieve your dreams, working in luxury fashion. Your journey is just beginning. And we can’t wait to see your future success. Bye, Jasmine.
Elissa is our next student to share her story. Elissa, I can’t wait to hear more about your biology degree and world languages and cultures experience. You are on.
– Thanks so much for the spotlight Alex. Growing up, I lived in a safe and quiet town where in high school I grew a passion for continuing my education. I knew I wanted to attend a college where I could easily settle down and call it my second home. Most importantly, I wanted somewhere I could stay focused to pursue a quality education and that’s where USI came in. We’re often called the Goldilocks because we offer the community feel of a small campus with the resources and opportunities of a large campus. We’re just right. One of the best resources to use on campus is the easy access to professors. With an average of a 19 to one students to faculty ratio, this makes it super easy to not only make friends, but also your professors get to know you by name and this is a huge plus because at USI you’re not just a number to us. You’re a student with the story and we have professors here who are ready to listen to that story. One of my USI mentors is in the Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education. Since my first visit to his office, he has helped me open the doors to so many opportunities, such as doing research on lipids in alligator skin. From medical school advice to helping me start a brand new service club organization on campus, so many of the professors I’ve met have invested their time to help me grow into the leader I am today. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned at USI is that a college education is more than what you learn in the classroom. It’s also the connections you make and the challenges you take on to develop new skills. In high school, I was searching for the college with the best value but I never thought that the college I’d end up choosing would see the same value back in me. And with that I’m throwing it back to you Alex.
– I’m gonna need to hear more about that alligator skin project, so cool. And the result of the dedicated faculty mentors, Dr. Rochon was telling us about, great stuff. Thanks again, Elissa.
Next, we’re gonna hear from Cole, an economics and philosophy double major who’s gonna tell us about his personal transition to college life, how he overcame obstacles and is making the most of his time at USI. Cole, you are on my man.
– Thank you so much, Alex. Hello, everyone. For my family an education was always among the most important things to pursue. Being a first generation college student, these ideas were only further reinforced in my household. Through USI I’ve been able to pursue an education and make my family proud, but that’s not to say I didn’t face any challenges in my transition to college life. Adapting from high school to college can be a jarring experience even for the strongest student and I was no different. At the start of my freshman year here at USI I was over 100 miles away from home and I had left behind a friend group that had helped me through the toughest times in my life. In my first few weeks here at USI, I felt alone. That was until I was fortunate enough to find Tabletop Club. I had finally found my community. Not long after joining Tabletop Club, I became the club’s president. Through my position I seek to aid students who were in the same position as me, while also setting a precedent for other student organizations as well. Whether it’s in the classroom, learning and discussing with students from all over the world or in one of our over 150 student organizations, USI encourages an environment of community engagement and inclusivity. You find whatever niche you feel most comfortable in or forge a path all of your own. Here at USI students are able to gain valuable leadership skills and form connections with countless individuals from different walks of life. Transitioning to college life can be a challenging endeavor. USI offers resources from mental to physical wellness to academic support that will not only help you adapt but also allow you to grow into the best person that you can be. Right back to you, Alex.
– That’s a wonderful story, Cole. It’s awesome that you found your community and it sounds like there is one for everyone here. I’m gonna have to catch up with you later on to get in on some of that tabletop gaming action. Thanks again for sharing your story. Take care.
Next up is Perci, a senior theater major who’s also minoring in French and Africana studies. She hails from Montgomery, Alabama, and you’ve gotta hear why she chose the University of Southern Indiana and how she found comfort learning about diverse cultures through the arts here on campus. Perci, I know you’re not shy about taking center stage. You are on.
– Thanks Alex. Hey all. Now, I know you’re wondering what a girl from Alabama is doing so far from home. Well, I always knew my college search that I wanted to move away. I just didn’t know how far. While the warm welcoming community is what initially drew me to USI, it was hard not to fall in love when I found out about all of the rich cultural experiences available to us here. Like our McCutchan Arts Center, our Pace Galleries and our state of the art theater located here on campus. Our USI theater produces a host of productions for the USI community and community at large to enjoy. Within our college of liberal arts, we offer a plethora of ways for students to express themselves and learn about the world around them. We even offer a host of foreign languages for students as another way for them to learn about the cultures of the world. Now, theater performances and visual arts aside, our university offers a host of diversity events and presentations for students to enjoy some of which are put on by our multicultural center where students can always find a warm and inclusive face for all of our diverse student populations. It was just the place that I needed to adjust for being seven hours away from home. One of my favorite events that we do every year is our international food expo sponsored by our center for international programs, where our students can and share their cultural diversity, their cuisine, and their customs with students here at USI. Here at USI, we strive for knowledge for life or as the French would say, . As a senior, I couldn’t imagine learning all that I’ve learned. I’ve learned so much about the cultures of the world around me, but more than anything I’ve learned about myself. How to be brave, bold, and courageously me and I’m forever grateful for that. And it’s all because USI. Well, that’s my USI story. Back to you, Alex.
– Perci, thank you for taking us through your experiences in the arts and culture here at USI. Your story about finding an inclusive support system with the multicultural center staff and learning about other cultures is truly, truly inspiring. And the big stage fits you very, very well. Take care, Perci.
Next up, we’re gonna catch up with Diego, a senior mechanical engineering major all the way from Venezuela. He’s gonna share a glimpse into the all important housing and residence life on campus. You’re not gonna believe the amenities at your fingertips in the residence halls and on campus apartments. Diego, please show us around.
– Thanks Alex. Howdy, everyone. I always wanted to leave my hometown in Venezuela to find a new adventure. I chose the University of South Indiana because it has a beautiful campus, such unique and diverse community and an excellent engineering program. I can definitely say that I found my home away from home. At USI that home for many of our students is our campus housing. It’s a place that you can definitely call your own. Whether you live in the residence halls your first year or in the on campus apartments, you’ll never have to share a bathroom with more than one other person. That’s awesome. Just as important as where you sleep is where you eat. At the Loft, we have access to a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So no matter your preference you’ll find something to enjoy. There’s also other food options on campus and convenience items at the C-Store, your one stop shop or all your housing needs. The housing staff all work very, very hard to make sure everyone feels welcome in the community. As a former resident assistant myself, I was able to get to know and connect with many different students on campus and help them all feel welcome in the community and their new home. As a mechanical engineering student, I’m able use my skills to help others. Recently, a team of us traveled to West Virginia to build a vehicular bridge for a community damaged by floods. As a president of the Engineers in Action chapter at USI I’ve learned invaluable skills while working for people who really needed our help and this is what matters. I’ve learned so much at USI. One of the characteristics that I love the most is that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you’re welcome here. I’ve learned that you need to pursue your dreams and help others achieve theirs. I’ve learned that together, we can make this world a better place. Thank you USI. Thank you for everything. That’s my story, back to you Alex.
– What a wonderful story Diego. Thank you. I have a feeling your servant leadership is gonna take you to a lot of new places. And wow, campus living looks a lot different than what I when is in college, and now I am very hungry. Great work.
One thing you’ll hear over and over again about U of I students, is how balanced they are. Christine, a senior you’re about to meet over in the business instructional facility, is a perfect example of that. And that’s why she chose U of I in the first place. Christine is majoring in marketing with a minor in economics at the Geis College of Business, which was recently ranked the #8 undergraduate business program for public universities. So I’ll let Christine take it from here. Please Christine.
Hi, everyone. As I was applying to schools my senior year of high school, I knew I wanted the whole college experience that would challenge me academically but also let me explore all of my passions. It was a daunting task trying to find a school that was both the right fit for my major and had theater opportunities for non-majors. But somehow on a tour of U of I, I got a chance to fall in love with the business school and discover an amazing musical organization called Illini Student Musicals.
We have members who are from engineering, journalism, musical theater and even business. And we all come together with one goal in mind to put on musicals. Since I’ve been part of the organization, we’ve put on musicals like “Mamma Mia” and “Footloose”. Where I got to dance my butt off to an audience made up of parents, students, and even the community. Another way to make the school feel smaller is to join a sorority like I did. Between big-little reveal, where each new member is given a mentor, living in the house and recruitment, the traditions and fun never end. I know I’ve talked a lot about the social part of U of I so far, but this school lets me have the best of both worlds.
The Gies College of Business is a nationally ranked program where I’m studying marketing. The mix of creative and analytical courses have inspired me to pursue a major in operations and data. And I’m excited to say I’ll be working at Nielsen after graduation. One of the things I’m most proud of, was being chosen as a business 101 section leader my sophomore year. Basically I get to teach and mentor incoming business students about ethics and professional responsibility.
Through the business program, I even got to study abroad in Belgium. Which had been a dream of mine since freshman year of high school. My time abroad taught me way more than I’d ever expected. And I became friends with students from all over the world. You really can be fully immersed in your schoolwork and love your major while also explore so many more interests in your social life.
All of these experiences and activities are the real reason why I love this school. I’ve gained such a strong education, plus developed great life skills like meeting people different from me and finding people who love what I love. I know after I graduate, I will always work hard at my career while making time for my passions. And I owe that balance to this university. I think everyone deserves the complete college experience. So figure out what you love to do, find your people and never stop shouting I-L-L. It’s our turn Alex.
I-N-I! I am so glad that the U of I has given you such a complete and rewarding college experience, Christine and thank you for the lesson on how to show my Illini Pride too, cheers.
Okay, now this is exciting. We’re gonna head over and meet Grace. She’s a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in aerospace. She’s gonna tell us about the out-of-this world opportunities Utah State offers as a NASA space grant university, and some of the projects students are working on sending into space. Grace, take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Nearly everyone is interested in space as a kid, but for me that curiosity never really died, but I didn’t know that I could work in the aerospace industry until I got to Utah State. I’ve worked for big government corporations, a company that has launched a mission to every planet in the solar system, and now I work with small rocket startups. Utah State has a rich history in aerospace. Right down the street is Space Dynamics Laboratory, or SDL, which focuses on building space-ready components for government and commercial satellites. And many people from SDL come and talk to Utah State students to give us a better understanding about what’s going on in the aerospace industry. There are several groups on campus that focus on space-related projects. The university Rover Club competes in an international rover competition every year in Southern Utah. There’s also a research group that’s studying using plastic as rocket fuel. And Utah State’s Getaway Special Team has been working for the past two years on a satellite that’s expected to launch this fall as part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative. This is the first time an undergrad-led team at Utah State has launched a satellite. Through clubs, such as the Society of Women in Engineering and the Engineering Council, I got to meet the lead scientist on a mission that is currently studying the sun. I got to fly to Florida to watch that mission launch with United Launch Alliance, and not even two years later, I got to intern with United Launch Alliance and work on their rocket, the Atlas V, which gave me the opportunity to sit in the Launch Control Center, and say go on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. The College of Engineering’s mentorship program gave me a really strong start to my freshman year. I also learned about a lot of student organizations and organizations such as the Brooke Owens Fellowship, which gave me my very first internship. Later, I was able to leave the mentorship program and pass that knowledge along to mentees of my own. Nothing feels better than helping people get to where they wanna be. And that’s the spirit of Utah State, and really, the biggest reason I had all of these amazing opportunities in the space industry. Thanks for listening to my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Grace, that was seriously impressive. Attending mission launches, and even sitting in the control room. And it’s awesome that you had such a great experience in the mentorship program, that you decided to become a mentor yourself. That’s awesome! Hats off and thanks again for sharing that.
Okay? Everyone say hello to Hana a senior majoring in Exercise Science. Hana is super involved. So she’s got a real insider’s perspective on the student experience. This is an engaged and happy campus. You can feel it in being here and Hana is going to tell us why. Hana, please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. Hey everyone I’m Hana. While I was exploring my options for universities, I knew that I wanted to move away from home, but also experience something different. And I really feel like I found that at Puget Sound because I absolutely love this school and also really feel like I found my people here. At Puget Sound you truly get the residential liberal arts experiences. About 70% of students live on campus and we are expected to live on campus for the first two years. This has really helped me build my community and shape my experiences from day one. You won’t just have a place to sleep in study here with suite-style style and traditional dorms, craftsman houses and Greek row, you’ll for sure, find a place to call home. The free parking and laundry don’t hurt either and one of the residence halls even has great mountain views. The food here is a huge part of the culture and we’re even ranked one of the most vegan-friendly universities. I’m a huge foodie and if I didn’t totally love the food, I honestly wouldn’t be here. There are a ton of options and for me, my favorite place is the cellar. The milkshakes are next level, and it’s one of my favorite late night hangout spots. There’s a market and three cafes, which all have their own character, including this secret spot, Oppenheimer cafe, which if you know, you know. Of course, college is an amazing time. We have over a hundred different clubs and organizations on campus. Everything from recreational clubs to academic and student identity groups. The residential experience has made Puget Sound my home away from home. My time here has been truly unforgettable and there’s too much to even begin to give you the full picture. So you’re gonna have to come and find out for yourself, passing it back to you Alex.
– Hana, thank you for welcoming us into your home. Your enthusiasm shines through with so many opportunities to find and create your space, I can see why students here seem like this is exactly where they wanna be. And I hear that Cellar is a wicked pizza place. So I’m definitely gonna have to grab a slice, thanks to the wreck, take care.
Let’s meet Lauren. She is doing work in the field of microbiology, even though she’s just starting her senior year. Lauren is majoring in molecular and cellular biology with a minor in sociology and anthropology. So she is the perfect person to tell us about the unparalleled opportunities in the sciences at Puget Sound where one-third of the students here are stem majors. Lauren.
– Thanks Alex. Hi everyone. I always knew I wanted to study biology, but when I visited Puget Sound, I was blown away by the resources in the facilities, like the OTPT clinic and the cadaver lab. About 10 minutes into my tour, I looked at my mom and said, this is my new home. Coming in I knew I wanted to conduct research as a freshman, which is one of the distinct features of sciences at Puget Sound. During my first semester seminar, I met professor Martin who saw potential in me as a scientist and asked if I would be interested in joining his microbiology lab. I now run my own independent research project, studying bioluminescent bacteria in their naturally occurring mutation steered by professor Martin. Additionally, I’ve been given the opportunity to work towards a publication, which has an extremely rare opportunity for an undergraduate student. One of my favorite things in the department is our Slater museum, which houses the second largest collection of vertebrates in the state and is home to our awesome science mascot, Bungee the lung fish. The breadth of labs here is really unique for a school our size. There’s the mass spectrometer, an observatory, the greenhouse and more. Additionally students have a ton of opportunity to work hands-on at the slater museum or as docents. I never imagined the number of opportunities I would have here for growth as a scientist and through my research, I’ve discovered a passion for all things microbiology and plan to pursue a PhD in the field. That’s all for me, back to you Alex.
– Lauren, that was so cool. Your research is literally glowing. I can’t wait to see your name in print when you’re publish. And before you graduate, Incredible. Congrats on all that you’ve accomplished. Thanks again for that, Lauren.
Okay. Let’s head over to the athletic complex where URI Division I athletics play some of its biggest games. There, we will meet Adam, a senior studying supply chain management. At URI, there are so many athletic facilities like the Ryan Center, Keaney Gymnasium, Mackal Field House, Boss Ice Arena, and Meade Stadium where Adam is now. All facilities allow for student athletes to do what they love. And allow students like Adam to cheer them on. Adam’s pride runs deep. Let’s find out why. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. And hello, everyone. My name’s Adam. I can’t wait to share more about URI pride and the special traditions our students get to experience. When I was in the process of deciding where I wanted to spend my next four years, the University of Rhode Island was impossible to overlook. Here at URI, my roots run deep, dating back to the class of 1950 when my great aunt became the first member of my family to graduate from URI. She was then followed by my cousin, his wife, my sister, and now myself as students at this university. You can call us a legacy family. I was always looking for a school that had a great academic program, but always offered something more. As familiar as I thought I was with URI, it wasn’t until I became a student myself where I really understood the pride and excitement of being a Rhode Island Ram. My first experience that really made me feel a part of URI was a spirited event called First Night, which took place the first night I moved on to campus. I was able to walk around, meet new people, and sign up for a variety of clubs and organizations that I was interested in. Over the years, I’ve been involved with many organizations such as the tour guide team, the orientation team, and even an acapella group because they piqued my interest that first night. The very next day, I was able to attend the next pivotal event, Freek Day, which is an event that lets first year students meet the variety of Greek fraternities and sororities that make up one of the largest Greek life communities in the northeast. At that event is where I met my future fraternity brothers and was able to become a part of something bigger than myself. These campus traditions like First Night and Freek Day, allow our students to find their people and their passions on campus. A huge part of URI that I wanted to be involved with was our athletics. Not only was I able to participate in our intermural programs, but I was able to support our NCAA Division I athletic teams through Rhody Ruckus, our official fan base organization. I can remember my first time at the Ryan Center for a basketball game and Meade Stadium for a football game, and just being overwhelmed with the amount of passion and spirit put on display by our student body. You can always find me and thousands of other students and members of the community in the crowd, cheering for URI. I’ve been inspired by so many people along my journey, and everyone here has an enormous amount of school pride. I know even after I graduate, I’ll be able to find and connect with alumni all over the world. That instant Rhody connection will never leave me. And I’ll be a Ram forever. Thanks for letting me share a bit of my story. Back to you, Alex. And go, Rhody.
– With a stadium like that, no wonder why you’ve made so many amazing memories cheering on URI athletic teams. I’m sure your family is cheering you on during your journey as you continue their URI legacy. Let’s go, Rhody.