Okay, next, let’s catch up with Chloe, which is not easy at all. Because this senior geology major is often out and about doing field work in the local mountains and canyons. In fact, she just got back from the Grand Canyon. Now she’s up in Logan Canyon, about 10 minutes from campus, to talk to us about the hands-on research and activities at Utah State. Chloe, you are on.
– Hi, everyone! I’m here to talk to you today about my hands-on learning and research experience here at Utah State. People always ask me why I decided to be a geologist. And the classic answer is, I love to be outside. Utah is an amazing state, because there is so much to do and it is so diverse. There are mountain forest here in Northern Utah where you can go kayaking, caving, hiking and biking, but there are also beautiful desert landscapes to the south, where you can go canyoneering, rock crawling, and so much more. But the real reason that I love geology is a little more poetic than just being outside. I love storytelling and being able to understand geology is like knowing a secret language about our world. I also love archeology, because it’s just like geology, but for people. Being in the geoscience department has given me so much opportunity and experience, from working in various labs, to going on class field trips throughout the year. I’ve been on trips to Topaz Mountain, Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, and some random fields in Idaho to look at small volcanic features called cinder cones, just to name a few. All courses have corresponding labs where we get to practice our field skills, such as using geologic compasses called Bruntons, and taking scientific field notes. We also work a lot with microscopes, where we analyze individual mineral grains, which is called petrology. Rocks and minerals really put on a show underneath microscopes. Now, not everybody in my department is a nature guy, and we have several impressive labs where students spend a lot of time. I have been lucky enough to work in a lot of these labs, such as our Optically Stimulated Luminescence Lab, which we call OSF. We also have state-of-the-art equipment in our chemical labs such as our inductively coupled plasma and x-ray fluorescent machinery. One of my favorite hands on activities is our Rock and Fossil Day, where we offer tons of free and informational activities for the public. Every professor makes a presentation, whether it’s a talk on the Pleistocene on Lake Bonneville, which left footprints on our valley, or demonstrating how stream systems work. Not only is this event informational, but it’s also fun. We have tons of kids activities such as Pangea puzzles, tours of our in-house museum, and free dinosaur cookies. I mean, who doesn’t love free dinosaur cookies? Well, it’s all we have time for today. But if you do end up at Utah State, make sure to join the geology club so you can get a taste of the beautiful outdoors right here. What’s next, Alex?
– Chloe, it sounds like this is the best possible place for you to combine your love for the outdoors with incredible research activities, and learn all these techniques and new technology. Get back out there and keep listening to those stories the rocks are telling you. Thanks again.
Now, it’s time to meet Quisheima, she’s a senior in wildlife ecology and management. And she came to Logan after starting at a different Utah State campus in the Southern part of the state. And we can’t wait to hear about her experience. Take it away.
– Thanks Alex. Hi, my name is Quisheima Brown, and I’d like to introduce myself in my native language, which is Navajo or Dine’. And that is how I introduce myself as a Navajo woman. I came to Utah State University because they did offer a great program in my field of interest, which is wildlife ecology. While I am a Logan student now, I did start out at another campus, USU Blanding. I started out there only because I wanted to get a jumpstart on my degree while being closer to home. It was a great decision, because the class sizes were smaller, there were many great events that took place on campus, and I met some incredible friends while getting a jumpstart on my career. As a Native American coming here has made me open my eyes to showing everyone my culture and my knowledge. I was the Native American Student Council president, as well as our first attendant for the Miss Native American USU. Being in this position has made me proud of who I am, and being able to display my talents. Through the Inclusion Center and its amazing staff, it’s nice to have support and be comfortable around people like the Black Student Union, Latinx Student Union, Asian Student Union, Korean Student Alliance, and multicultural groups here at Utah State. The Inclusion Center provides resources and is very welcoming. In the Native American Student Council, we perform in half-time shows as well as host annual pow-wow. We host the pow-wow to help with cultural preservation and display our beautiful culture to everyone. It is my favorite event, because I do participate as a dancer myself, one of many who come from many tribes to show off their dancing style, crafts, and identity. The celebration of Native American culture is one of the most popular events here on campus each year. And it is a perfect example of how Utah State brings people together. Thank you for allowing me to share my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Quisheima. It sounds like Utah State has a lot of ways to make sure people feel welcome on campus. And how great is it to be able to get started at a top tier university so close to home? I wish I could stick around for the next pow-wow, it sounds like an amazing event, take care.
Another thing students here at Valpo like to talk about is the sense of belonging they feel on campus. Just ask Michela, a senior psychology major. She’s immersed in both fraternity and sorority life and academics and has found a real sense of campus community. It’s all about building authentic connections, something that comes naturally from the students and faculty at Valpo. ♪ Huh huh ♪
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. I’m so thankful for everything Valpo has given me over the past few years. Not only are our academic strong, but our campus community is truly what makes Valpo feel like home. One of my homes here is the Gamma Phi Beta House. Joining sorority life, has allowed me to indulge in a community filled with love, inclusivity and empowerment. Every day feels like coming home to my family. My second home on campus is the Psychology Department. The professors I’ve met have encouraged me to shoot for the stars, whether it be designing my own research project or helping me excel in my internship. My professors genuinely care about my success and wellbeing, and I feel so lucky to have them as mentors. Finally, my third home is the Admissions Office. I am a Tour Guide and a Social Media Assistant, and I love coming into work and building connections with the prospective students. I remember how stressful it was looking for a home for the next four years and I just hope that I can make students search a little bit easier. Valpo’s community is unique and special. We offer a home on campus, no matter what you’re looking for, whether you want to conduct research, enter fraternity sorority life, join a club, or even try something new. There is a sense of belonging for each and every student here on campus. Valpo has shaped me in more ways than I could’ve ever imagined. I am so thankful for everything that Valpo has given me. Well, that’s all I have. What’s next, Alex?
– It’s so true, Michela. The friends you meet in college are your friends for life and it’s so cool to see you found a close knit community that has your back and helps you learn and grow. That was really fun.
Okay, everyone, now let’s get down to business and go meet Meredith. She just graduated with a degree in marketing, and is gonna talk to us about Utah State’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, where they take learning seriously and also makes sure students get a well-rounded experience. Tell us about it Meredith.
– Hello, everyone! Welcome to the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. When I was in high school, looking at where to attend college after graduation, I was looking through a magazine and I saw Utah State ranked as one of the top college towns in the nation. I decided to tour, and immediately fell in love with the gorgeous campus, the energetic atmosphere, and the Huntsman School. I learned about the Huntsman difference, which describes the school’s unique focus on the combination of both inside-the-classroom experiences and outside-of-the-classroom opportunities. This specific combination was exactly what I was looking for in a school. I soon applied and was accepted into the Huntsman Scholar Program, where I was assigned a personal and professional mentor to work with me throughout the next four years. Through this honors program, students also receive an annual stipend, go on a fully-funded international experience, and have an amazing network of other Huntsman scholars. During my very first semester in the program, my cohort traveled to Southern Utah, where we presented to high school students about the opportunities of higher education. After this event, we went whitewater rafting, went to a local fair, and visited the Four Corners Monument. This combination of work and play is one of the many things I loved about the Huntsman School. Throughout the next four years, I continued to get involved in various clubs and events. I was encouraged in part to do this by the school’s motto, to dare mighty things. Having this quote at the entrance of the building serves as a reminder to all students that trying new and mighty things is one of the best ways to learn and grow. I joined pro sales where I competed and placed in a national competition. I moved to Manila, Philippines, where I completed a business internship, and I got involved, on the university level, hosting various events. To bridge college experiences with full-time employment opportunities, the Huntsman School offers many resources. There’s one-on-one mentoring through our career coach program. There’s networking with corporate sponsors through mock interview days, and every Friday, in lieu of classes, there’s workshops hosted by high-level professionals such as the former president of Nike and the owner of the Utah Jazz. These resources, paired with the clubs and committees at the Huntsman school, ensures that students leave not only with a diploma, but a packed resume as well. After graduation, I’m headed to Philadelphia, where I will be working for the Fortune 200 company where I had my summer internship. I’m grateful for the people that I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had here, that made me confident in applying for this role. I’ll miss it here, but I know I’ll always be a part of the Aggie family. Go Aggies! And back to you Alex.
– Awesome, Meredith! It sounds like you’ve definitely been daring mighty things, and you make a terrific ambassador for the Huntsman school. I know you’ll be successful in your new career, that was fantastic, take care!
Okay, next, let’s head to the theater and spend some time with Aubrey, a senior majoring in theater education. She’ll share her behind-the-scenes expertise and experience as a student in the arts, and the many opportunities Utah State offers to showcase students’ talent and encourage creative exploration and research. The spotlight is on you, Aubrey.
– Thanks Alex. Hi, everyone, I’m Aubrey. And I’ve known since middle school that I want to work in theater. It gives me the opportunity to be creative, have fun, and do something new every day. I decided to go into theater education because I wanted to work with young people, and theater gives students the opportunity to grow and express themselves in an encouraging environment. In my sophomore year, I was the assistant director of a theater for young audiences show, where we invite local schools to our performances. This is an opportunity I may not have even been considered for as an underclassman at a different school. I knew virtually no one when I came here. And it was a little scary at first being on my own in an unfamiliar place far from home. I got involved right away with a few student organizations, and soon I met some amazing people and found lifelong friends. The theater department at Utah State is fairly small, so most of my peers and faculty know me by name. This gave me the close-knit environment I was looking for. The Caine College of the Arts is student-focused, and Utah State offers a lot of opportunities for us to express ourselves creatively, or showcase our work in galleries and performances. Next semester, I’ll be completing my honors capstone project, a devised theater piece about navigating higher education as a multiracial students. I’m half Korean and half Romanian, and coming from one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas to the small city of Logan, I experienced some culture shock. College pushed me to explore my racial identities. And I wondered if my experiences were similar to those of other multiracial students. My hope is that this project will resonate with other people of color. I had some really amazing teachers in middle and high school who believed in me and supported me. And I want to do for future students what those teachers have done for me. Because of my education here, I feel like I’ll be able to offer my students so many opportunities. Thank you for letting me share my story. Now back to you, Alex.
– Aubrey, I’m sure you’re gonna end up being an inspirational teacher yourself. Thank you for sharing your love for theater and passion for education. It sounds like you found the perfect program to prepare you for your dream job. Take care.
Now we’re gonna hear from Ishi a chemical engineering and finance double major who has used her time at UT to really get to know herself and her career interest while taking some risks along the way. I can’t wait to hear about your journey Ishi. Please take it away.
Thanks Alex and hey y’all. For years, I’ve wanted to pursue affordable healthcare to improve people’s lives. But when it came to picking a major, nothing I could think of fit. So, knowing UT had great academic options, I chose to enroll here, undeclared. While exploring majors, I made a pivotal decision. I joined UT Senate of College Councils, which is UT’s legislative body in handling all academic affairs. And here I represented all undeclared students. At Senate, two incredible things happened. First, I met Longhorns from almost every academic major you could imagine.
For context, UT has about 170 fields of study across 18 colleges and schools. So, meeting these people opened my eyes to the possibilities and I decided to double major in chemical engineering and finance. This way I learned about affordable healthcare strategy from two very unique perspectives. My fellow Senate representatives also inspired me to take random interesting classes like interpersonal communication and Roman archeology. Second, Senate showed me that despite our different majors, UT students have a lot in common and share a lot of the same academic struggles.
This understanding drove me to address internal transfer, which is the process through which most UT students changed their majors. I wrote Senate legislation to restructure and improve internal transfer. And after working with UT administration for two years, the new process became official. All students hoping to change their majors will benefit from this process. But here’s the thing, if I didn’t come to UT, I may never have found the perfect majors or pursued student advocacy. That just goes to show you how UT pushes you to explore. So if you are unsure of what to pursue in life, don’t worry. UT is the place to figure out who you are. I’ll always be grateful to UT for showing me who I am. Back to you Alex and hook’em.
Great job Ishi. Another way to explore your career interests at UT is through the many experiential learning opportunities they offer where students get hands on experience in their desired fields. It’s a great way to take what you’re studying in the classroom and apply it to the real world scenarios. Which can give you the confidence that you’re on the right track. Thanks again Ishi.
Leadership is often about serving others and that’s something Valpo students strongly believe in. Take Lem, a junior enrolled in an early entry program to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. He’s found his calling at Valpo as a Caps fellow and is interning for a nonprofit organization. Lem is able to make an impact in an area he’s truly passionate about. Lem, it’s time for you to take the mic.
– Alright, thanks for the introduction, Alex. Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for serving others and mother used to tell me that that was my calling in life. And as a first generation college student, I didn’t know the first thing about choosing a college, but I knew I had to attend a school that value service. Valpo a big focus on service and philanthropy, provide students with countless opportunities to serve. Each year Valpo students dedicate more than 247,000 hours to community outreach and service learning initiatives. One initiative is the Caps Fellowship Program hosted by the Institute of Leadership and Service. ILS is dedicated to preparing students for lives of leadership and service shaped around a sense of color. Last year, as a Caps fellow, I got the amazing opportunity to intern for a nonprofit organization. There I was able to take lead of some of the most substantial initiatives to address healthcare disparities and systematic racism in my community. Today, I’m the president of Alpha Phi Omega, better known as APO. APO is a national co-ed service fraternity that focuses on leadership, friendship and service. And APO members are provided with opportunities to develop leadership skills through volunteering on campus, within their communities or within the fraternity. After I graduate, I plan to serve underrepresented minority communities in Chicago to eliminate healthcare disparities and ultimately improve the health care system. The College of Nursing and Health Professions has prepared me with this rigorous health care courses and a plethora of leadership and service experience. Valparaiso University is not only committed to allowing students to find their true purpose and calling, also to provide a space designated for students to act on it within. And that’s why I love this university. Back to you, Alex.
– It’s great to see that Valpo has given you such a foundation for a life of service, Lem. From everything you’re already accomplishing, we know you’re gonna go on to make a difference in the world. You’re showing everyone that at Valpo, you’re truly part of something bigger and that’s amazing
It’s time to hear from a student who came to Valpo from 7,500 miles away. Anand is an international student from Nepal. He’s a junior pursuing a double major in Electrical Engineering and Physics. And he’s also in the honors college. Anand wants to keep up with the future of engineering and came to the right place for academic quality. Right after his freshman year, he was already researching for Brookhaven National Laboratory. Take it away, Anand.
– That was some introduction, Alex. Namaste and greetings everyone. With a wonderful family and upbringing, I’ve had some 7,500 miles from here, I wanted to find that same home away from home. And I got that here at Valpo. As an international student, what immediately sticks out to me is the ranking of Valpo in undergraduate engineering programs in the USA. The ranking is only bettered by the support and community I have received here at Valpo. With five undergraduate colleges and more than 70 different majors to offer, Valpo support and flexibility allows me to double major in physics and electrical engineering while also attending the esteemed Christ College, which is the Honors College at Valpo. While all of these degrees have specific requirements, my professors and advisors work to personalize my classes and tailored these degree requirements so that I can still graduate in just four short years doing what I want to do. The great thing about these majors are how dynamic they are. I remember back my freshman year when I was taking a gender and gym class, and now I’m teeing for that class this semester, and I’ve realized how it’s updated to reflect the current needs of the world. With this, Valpo continues to add programs, including Bioengineering, Mechatronics, Music Therapy, Data Science and so much more. Each of these are booming career fields of the current and future world. I can talk as much as I want about the amazing education that I received at Valpo, but these educations are equally valued by institutions all around. My freshman year, right after COVID hit, I was researching for the Brookhaven National Laboratory, thanks to my professors. Fast-forward to this year, I am interning for Eli Lilly, one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. I hope to see a bunch of you guys here make your name at Valpo. With that, the floor is yours, Alex.
– Wow, Anand, sophomore year and already interning for Eli Lilly. That’s an incredible accomplishment. And with two more action packed years in store at Valpo, I can’t wait to see what your future holds. Thanks again for sharing your story.
Meat Allison, the Student Manager of the campus coffee shop. She’s a sophomore in the College of Business. And in addition to keeping that caffeine flowing, she’s already had several opportunities to lead and grow in academics. The high success rate of Valpo business graduates gives Allison the security she needs to take the reins and pursue her passion. Go ahead and tell us more, Allison.
– Hey everyone. Here at Valpo I love that I have the opportunity to use my talents, to pursue my passion. Growing up. I was always told that I was a natural leader and had a knack for seeing the details that no one else saw. Little did I know that these talents would soon become my passion. When it came time for me to apply to college, I knew that I wanted a small, close knit community that still had opportunities for me to follow my passion in leadership and excellence. When I came to Valpo, I was so nervous. I knew what my passion was and I knew what I was interested in after college, but I didn’t know how to get there. The faculty works with students to find internships through connections, to develop the skills needed to be successful. I currently work as a student manager at Grinders, the campus coffee shop and had the opportunity to join the College of Business’s Dean’s Leadership Council. Because of these amazing leadership opportunities, I’ll be interning at my church as an incoming sophomore. Did you know, 100% of business students complete an internship before graduation? Enabling us to develop the skills and experience necessary to be successful in the workforce. The best part of being at Valpo is being secure in the knowledge that I will have opportunities after graduation. More than 90% of students have secured employment or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation for nearly 30 consecutive years. Valpo has all the things necessary for students to be successful no matter their major. I know that when I graduate, I’ll be able to follow my passion and be successful. That’s all for me, back to you, Alex.
– Allison, thank you for showing us that being nervous before going to college is absolutely normal. You also show us that when you have passion, you can do anything. Kudos to you for managing to campus business in your sophomore year. That’s incredible. Thanks again for that.
Okay, sports fans, let’s head to The Dee Glenn Smith Spectrum to talk with Justin. A senior kinesiology major who plays on the men’s basketball team. He’ll tell us about the proud Aggie athletic tradition, and what it’s like to play in front of one of the best student cheering sections in the country. It’s all you Justin.
– Thanks Alex. And hi, everyone, I’m Justin! And I’m a student athlete on the men’s basketball team. I’ve always dreamed to playing college basketball at the highest level and Utah State has given me, just a kid for Moore, Oklahoma, that opportunity. College basketball at The Dee Glen Smith Spectrum is truly magical, both for the players and the fans. Utah State has one of the richest basketball traditions across the country. Our student section, the HURD, energizes the arena, the football field, or any other venue with iconic chants, taunts and cheers. But you don’t have to take my word for it. See in here our fans for yourself. Doesn’t that make you wanna join in and cheer for the Aggies? from our mascot, Big Blue, to Spectrum Magic, the athletics experience both as a fan and a player is the best in the country. Utah State fans have a lot to cheer about. We have 16 NCAA Division I teams that compete in the Mountain West Conference. Since 2000, our teams had won a total of 40 conference titles, with our basketball team winning two out of the last three. But being a student athlete isn’t easy, morning workouts, weightlifting, classes, tutoring, and traveling for games consume my time from August until April. Thankfully, Utah State has some of the best resources in the country, both from academic and athletic standpoints. The fueling station, the Nutrition Center for Student Athletes, is just below our weightlifting facilities, and provides healthy snacks to maximize our performance. We also have a study area at the Laub Academic Complex, which has a computer lab and a place to meet with tutors. Of course, most students here aren’t student athletes, but there are still tons of ways to compete or get active on campus. There are club and intramural sports, and lots of fitness classes and activities to help meet our fitness needs. The Aggie Recreation Center is an amazing new facility, funded by students for students to help meet our fitness needs. The ARC, as it’s called, is also home to USU’s world-class outdoor program, where you can get all the gear and skills you need to explore all of Logan’s incredible surroundings. I’m so glad I came to Utah State. The people I’ve met, the relationships I’ve formed, and the fun times I’ve had, will be etched in my life story forever. Before I came to Utah State, it was a place I knew very little about. Now, it’s a place I’ll never forget. Go Aggies! Back to you, Alex.
– Great job, Justin! Nothing but net on your segment. Sounds like Utah State fans have plenty to cheer about thanks to hardworking student athletes like you, congratulations on your successes, both on and off the court. That was awesome, take care!