Okay, let’s check out one of the most popular spots on campus. The statue of Jonathan, the Husky right in front of the famed Gampel Pavilion. Nicole, a special education major, is gonna tell us about some of the incredible student groups and activities she’s participated in. Nicole, what’s the good word?
Thanks for the introduction, Alex. When I first started my college search I knew I wanted to go to a big university with loads of school spirit, challenging academics and lots of clubs and organizations to join. When I first stepped foot on UCONN’s campus I knew that I found my perfect fit. Flash forward to today, I’m now a senior special education major in the NEAG School of Education.
I have joined countless extracurriculars that has shaped my experience here at the university as an unforgettable one. I lived in Husky Village, my sophomore year which is on-campus housing exclusive to fraternity and sorority members. Something unique about Husky Village is we hold late nights which is food fundraisers for our philanthropies. I also joined the Women’s Club Basketball team. UCONN is home to 37 different club sports. I was a three sport athlete in high school and knew that I wanted to get involved with athletics when I came to UCONN. Considering UCONN’s women’s basketball team is ranked number one in the nation right now, joining the varsity team wasn’t in the playing cards. However, my time here on the club team has been nothing short of amazing.
The most rewarding organization I am a part of is Husky-thon. Husky-thon, is a year-long philanthropic fundraiser that raises money for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. This year, we raised over $1 million for the kids. Every Spring we celebrate our fundraising efforts with an 18 hour dance marathon with no sitting. On top of the hundreds of clubs and organizations to get involved with. There are countless traditions that are unique to UCONN. My favorite tradition is One Ton Sunday, where during winter weekend students can fill an entire bucket with as much ice cream and toppings as they want. And it is something that is so fun to do with your friends. Another really cool tradition is Ooze Ball, which is a very muddy volleyball tournament held every Spring. And it is a favorite tradition that has gone back for decades.
From the friends and memories I’ve made through Husky-thon, Gamma Phi Beta, and club sports. I could not imagine my time here without these organizations. UCONN offers the student body so much. You just have to go out and find it. That’s all from me back to you Alex
Panhellenic council, club basketball, dance marathon – talk about a full slate of activities! Really impressive stuff, Nicole. And the fact that the Husky-thon has raised millions of dollars for children’s healthcare is such an inspiring example of how UCONN students can make a difference in the world. Thanks again, for that insight, take care Nicole.
Now it’s time to head over to the Wilbur Cross building, or just Wilbur Cross as everyone calls it here. We’re excited to talk to Shane Young, a Finance major who founded a business group for underrepresented students, who plays on the practice squad against the best women’s basketball team in the country. Shane, tell us about some of the incredible experiences you’ve had here.
Hey everyone, one of my favorite aspects of UCCON is the breath of opportunities available to students. As a research one institution with over 700 student organizations the university provides an amazing selection of opportunities to find yourself, as well as your people. This breath has challenged me to hold leadership positions in six of the nine organizations. And I’m actively involved in, as well as, applying knowledge attained from the classroom to real experiential learning opportunities that can have a real impact on people’s lives.
I‘ve been able to merge my interest in consulting for my passion on racial equity to embark on a really unique leadership opportunity within the UCONN consulting group. And if you can’t find an organization that fits your interests, you can create your own club which is exactly what I did last Fall. I founded business leaders of UCONN, an organization focused on supporting underrepresented students interested in business. Not only have we supported Bi-pod in achieving the most ambitious professional goals but more importantly, we’ve created a safe space for Bi-pod to share their experiences and discuss racial equity to maintain collective consciousness of marginalized experiences. With the extensive selection of opportunities available you’ll be sure to find something that pulls you out of your comfort zone.
A significant decision I had to make in high school was whether I wanted to play college basketball. It would have been a huge commitment. Instead, I found the best of both worlds where I can stay connected to a sport that I loved my entire life while also having a diverse college experience. The UCONN Women’s Basketball team takes on male practice players each year through their practice team. I’ve been able to stay connected to a significant sport in my life while also competing against and building relationships with some of the best women’s basketball players in the country.
I’ve also discovered different parts of the world and learn how my existence is shaped by history and my place in the world. My involvement has brought me to New York to give a consulting presentation to a startup company to Detroit, tour and housing discrimination but like in the privatization of education is currently subjugating black communities and to Tampa to cheer on the women’s basketball team in the NCAA final four. Beyond the US, one of the greatest influences in shaping my ideology has in my study abroad experience in Barcelona where I studied photography, fashion marketing, and contemporary neocolonialism. In college, I’ve embarked on a journey to find myself in my identity in this world. And it would not have been possible if it weren’t for the amazing extracurricular opportunities here at UCONN. Thanks Alex, back to you.
Amazing stuff, Shane getting a chance to study in Barcelona sounds like a life changing experience on top of everything else. And how cool is it to say you played basketball against players with multiple final four appearances to their credit. Thanks for sharing your story cheers Shane.
Okay, everyone let’s head over to Mirror Lake, the spot on campus for studying, people watching and soaking up the sun. There, we’re gonna hear from Laura, who has an individualized major Organizational Behavior and Leadership. And she’s gonna tell us about life in Storrs and all the amazing opportunities available to students in the area. Laura, please take it away.
Thanks Alex. Hi everyone! Growing up in the Northeast, I knew that I wanted to come to a school that gave me the opportunity to experience all those seasonal changes that I love so much while I was growing up. There’s nothing like the first snowfall of every Winter where our campus is blanketed white. It’s really like we’re living inside of a snow globe.
My favorite day of the Spring is the first warm day of the year. All of our students gather on the lawn behind our Student Union, hanging out, chatting with friends and getting some homework done. I do have to say my favorite season in Storrs must be the Fall. Whether you wanna get into the UCONN spirit by going to a football or soccer game, or if you go to a local farmer’s market to pick up some fresh fruit there are so many different things that you can do in the Fall.
Another one of my favorite parts about being a UCONN student, is the sense of community that we have here. Our main campus is located in Storrs, where you can expect to find that traditional college town feel. We also have bridged campuses across Connecticut in Avery Point, Hartford, Stanford, and Waterbury. These campuses each have their own unique culture, but regardless of where you attend classes we have a sense of Husky pride that unites us all. While our Storrs campus is located in a relatively small area of Connecticut, there’s no shortage of activity. And this keeps our campus exciting. I’m standing here on our Mirror Lake, which is relatively close to our Downtown Storrs area. I love to head into Downtown Storrs with my friends to grab some coffee and hang out.
At first UCONN might seem like a big school but it’s amazing how small it begins to feel because of the sense of community that we’ve built here. I hope hearing my story has given you a sense of what it’s like to live and learn here at UCONN. Back to you, Alex
Laura, thanks for telling us what makes this campus so special. No matter where you’re from. When you say there is no better place to experience the best that all four seasons have to offer. I know a lot of people who agree with you. Thanks again.
Okay, everyone, first, we’re gonna head to Fairfield Way. This is the heart of campus where you’ll find everything from the library to the Student Union, to a farmer’s market in the fall. Sean, a double major in Urban and Community Studies and Psychology is gonna tell us about UCONN’s residential life and learning communities. I can’t wait to hear about life on campus here. It’s all yours Sean.
Thanks, Alex! When I first came to UCONN, I was a little worried. It was such a big school and I felt overwhelmed by all the opportunities, the size of the campus, and everyone I saw walking around. I was worried that I might get swallowed up by the size of the university, and I knew I needed to have a strong base to be able to explore all the amazing opportunities a big school like UCONN had to offer. I was able to find that home in my residential community on campus.
Our res life staff puts so much effort into making sure that you connect with your roommate and floor mates to give you a solid support group here at UCONN. I remember my first weekend was packed with so many different events, from scavenger hunts to concerts, that by the end of it, I felt like I’d already known my floor mates for forever. As you continue throughout your time at UCONN, you’ll just grow closer with your floor mates. Doing homework together, going to events together, even joining clubs together. Some of my favorite memories have been spent sitting out hanging in the hallway with my floor mates late into the night, spending all day long, playing volleyball with them on the sand courts right outside our door.
Past just making amazing friends though, living on campus also gives you easy access to all the great opportunities, events, and dining that UCONN has. It’s just a quick walkaway to any of our eight dining halls, Downtown Storrs, or the Student Union, all which have delicious food. It seems like every day on campus there’s a different event happening, whether it be our learning community field day competition, one of the many late night activities our Student Union plans. My favorite is the paint night. Living on campus truly allows you to get the full UCONN experience.
And if you’re looking for an even closer sense of community that’s more specialized like I was you might wanna consider joining a learning community or LC as we call it. We have 20 different residential learning communities all across campus, which are groups of students who share common interest and live together. Now these interests can be major based like our women in STEM learning community, which allows you to live and connect with students of similar career interests and in the same classes. These can also be interdisciplinary, like the one I chose to join, the Leadership Learning Community, which is more focused on a common interest.
Learning communities also put on even more events, trips, and professional development activities to help you better yourself as a person and connect with other students at UCONN. Some of my favorite events at UCONN have been through my learning community, like our annual trip to six flags or at four arrows leadership retreat. With such an amazing experience that living on campus at UCONN provides, it’s no wonder that we have one of the highest percentage of students living on campus out of any public university in the nation. I hope you’ve learned a little bit more about what it’s like living on campus here at UCONN and I’ll send it back to you, Alex.
Sean, that was great. When you talked about how you instantly connected with people in your residence hall it reminded me how important the residential experience is for college students. And it sounds like the learning communities are a way to make those connections even stronger. Congrats on everything you’ve accomplished, and good luck in the master’s of public administration program.
This is going to be great. We’re now going to go to FAU stadium and meet Michael, he’s a senior from East Haven, Connecticut, majoring in multimedia journalism. Michael is a campus tour guide, and he’s going to tell us all about the campus experiences here at FAU. I got to tell you, I am loving FAU’s energy and vibe. Michael, take it away.
– Hey everyone. Florida Atlantic University has been my home for close to three years now and has given me the college experience that I’ve always wanted. From the first day stepping onto campus, I knew that FAU was the place for me. I found myself in an environment with the opportunities to grow both inside and out of the classroom. Through unique degree programs, a diverse student population, athletics, and of course, the beach. FAU is always working to create a better on-campus atmosphere. Everywhere you look, there’s new residence halls, buildings, and study areas popping up, including the newly renovated student union, which includes an e-sports area with more than 40 gaming stations and setups for consoles. Since I love to work out, my favorite place to be on campus is the fitness and recreation center. I’m there almost every day, either lifting weights or playing pickup basketball. One thing I look forward to most is Saturdays during football season. Our football games are an all day affair and you can find our students tailgating outside the stadium, followed by taking in the action from the student section. We have 19 division one athletic teams here at FAU, and we love cheering on our owls on the field, or in the arena. FAU gave me the on-campus learning experience I needed in order to thrive in journalism. Here, I worked with South Florida Journal, a student produced radio show covering news all across South Florida, which allowed me to express my passion for broadcasting. Looking back on everything I’ve experienced and accomplished leading up to graduation, I am forever grateful for my owl community. Thank you, Florida Atlantic University. Now back to you, Alex.
– Did you all see that stadium? What a fun place to spend on Saturdays! It’s football in paradise. Thanks again, Michael.
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.
let’s shift the conversation over to sophomore Emily, who’s majoring in Political Science with a minor in Professional Writing. In addition to her studies, Emily is very involved with campus life. She’s busy with more clubs and activities than I can count on one hand. The connections she’s making are cheering her on now, and they’ll definitely be helping her reach her career goals after graduation. Emily, tell us more.
– Hey guys. Like many others for the majority of my life, I knew I wanted to make a difference, but I didn’t know how. it wasn’t until I came to Valpo and started getting involved that I saw how much you could do for others and how many opportunities you have to do so. Getting involved and trying new things is a big priority at Valparaiso University. This can be seen in the more than 100 student clubs and organizations offered here. With this and the countless leadership roles bestowed on students, the university is training the leaders of tomorrow. No matter what you wanna try, there is always an opportunity at Valpo. I am the vice president of Alpha Gamma Delta, a student Senator, a member of the Dance Marathon Executive Board and the Campus Tour Guide. And the great thing is with most clubs and organizations being student led, they understand the importance of flexible scheduling. In the future, I plan to attend law school in Texas. I want to continue my involvement and service to others through becoming an attorney. Some of the connections I have made through clubs and activities here at Valpo, will be ones I use in my daily career as an attorney. Here, I can see Valpo’s dedication to students and giving us the most meaningful opportunities possible. No matter what you enjoy, at Valpo, there’s something for everyone. Well, that’s all for me, sending it back to you, Alex.
– How awesome, Emily. With so many new experiences and activities available to you, it’s great to see you’re jumping in and growing so much in the process. This is truly a campus where leadership is put in the student’s hands. Great job.
Speaking of leaving an impression, we’re turning now to a Psychology and Theater major that got involved in several main stage productions as early as their freshman year at Valpo. It’s time to meet Mary. Now, a sophomore, who’s taking the initiative to have a full, exciting student experience. She’s proving that if you want something here at Valpo, you should simply go for it.
– Thanks Alex. I’m a current sophomore here at Valparaiso University, studying psychology and theater on a pre occupational therapy track. When I first arrived, Valpo welcomes me with open arms. Valpo’s campus size allows students to take initiative and the organizations that they are passionate about starting in their first semester on campus. From ministry teams, music ensembles, improv troupes, fraternity, and sorority life, and more, Valpo has something for everyone. As a theater lover, I was excited to get involved in several main stage productions as a freshmen. I’ve also been playing the trumpet for the last 10 years, which has always been a big part of my life. Here at Valpo, I can pursue that passion through performing in several of our capstone music ensembles, despite not being a music major or minor myself. This allows me to grow as a musician and connect with others who share my love for music. Here at Valpo, students can take ownership of their learning experiences and have many directions to go in. From our Core first-year program to Christ College, the Honors College. As a member of Christ College, I participated in one of the oldest traditions on campus, the freshmen production. This is a challenge put out to all first year honors college students to write, produce and perform a full-scale musical from scratch in just 10 weeks. From script writer to musician, there is a role in the production that requires every student’s skills. In the end, we all came together and created a production to be proud of. Valpo’s opportunities, such as these, allow me to not only build leadership and collaborative skills, but also give me the opportunity to take initiative in my own learning experiences while doing what I love. Back to you, Alex.
– Putting together a full length musical in just eight weeks, now, that’s something amazing. Mary, thank you for sharing that around here at Valpo, you don’t have to dream it, you can just do it. Take care.
Did you know the Valpo is ranked nationally for its engineering program and offers six different engineering disciplines. 2000 graduate Luke, saw life come full circle when he went on to get his PhD and then become a professor at Valpo. So all the research that he began as a student, he’s now able to carry it on with his students. It’s been life-changing. Luke, go ahead and tell us more.
– Thanks for the chance to share my story, Alex. I knew that I wanted to become a professor at a school like Valpo after I finished my PhD, because I had such an incredible experience here as a student. So to actually be a professor is a dream come true. Why was I so excited to come back and join the faculty at Valpo? For the chance to replicate my own Valpo experience, conducting cutting edge solar energy research as an undergraduate student. As a student, I worked with one of my professors for over a year, researching ways to turn concentrated sunlight into fuels that we could use to drive our cars, even at night when the sun is not shining. Because of the mentorship of my professor, pursuing this research became one of my greatest passions. I feel blessed to be able to share this passion with talented Valpo students in the James S Markowitz Solar Energy Research Facility, home of one of five solar furnaces in the United States. And the only one located at a primarily undergraduate engineering college. One of the most rewarding parts of conducting research with undergraduate students is seeing how excited they get when they experience concentrated sunlight for the first time. I love knowing that this experience could be life-changing for them and set them on a new career path. The coolest thing about my story is that it is not unique. There are many other professors here at Valpo with stories just like mine. We all came back to be professors at Valpo because this is such an incredible place. Well, that’s my story, Alex. It’s all yours.
– How cool Luke, that there is such a collaborative spirit between the professors and students at Valpo. And also great to know that the community here left such an impression that you came back. Thanks again for that.