First up, everyone let’s meet David, a senior majoring in accounting with a minor in management. When considering a future alma mater David had some specific criteria in mind but did not envision the transformative experiences he would undergo while a student at USI. Speaking of transformation, this idyllic campus has seen extraordinary change since it was established in 1965. We can’t wait to hear more David, please take it away.
– Thank you for that introduction Alex. When I was deciding what college to attend, I knew I wanted to attend a university that had a history of serving its community at a great location and empowered students. I found all of these qualities and more at the University of Southern Indiana. The University of Southern Indiana started as a branch of another university in 1965. But thanks to the determination and tenacity of visionary leaders our university became an independent campus in 1985. Prior to USI’s founding, there were no public higher education institutions in Southwestern Indiana. USI has always kept the needs of students at the forefront of it’s strategic planning. Fast forward to present day, USI sits on a beautiful 4,400 acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, close to several major cities, including Indianapolis, St. Louis, Louisville and Nashville. The university boosts a total enrollment of approximately 9,750 students pursuing dual credit, undergraduate, graduate studies and much more. USI serves its community by offering more than 130 areas of study, accredited academic programs and affordable tuition. But how does USI benefit students like me? As student body vice president I can personally attest that USI empowers students. I’ve had the opportunity to represent student voices with administration, intern for Fortune 500 companies and work at the Indiana House of Representatives. It was a cool experience working in the same state house were legislation officially established USI decades ago. USI enables its students to achieve success beyond what I could have ever imagined. Looking to my future, I plan to attend law school. By taking with me the spirit of community service and encouragement I have gained during my time here at USI, from here I’m ready to ignite my future. That’s all for me. Back to you Alex.
– Wow, I’m sure your future will be bright indeed David. Thanks for sharing.
The U of I is a major incubator for entrepreneurship and innovation. They have an entire research park that’s home to more than 120 Fortune-500 and startup companies. These top corporations set up offices here in large part because of the university’s amazing student talent pool. In fact, more than 800 student interns are employed at research park, getting real-world experience right away. Lots of student hackathons and venture competitions take place throughout the year too. The student you’re gonna meet next, Mona, has built her very own business by leveraging another cool program called iVenture Accelerator. It supports student entrepreneurs with funding and access to world-class resource and mentors. Let’s go over to the reading room at the main library to meet Mona and hear her story.
Thanks Alex, and hi everyone. I started my entrepreneurial journey when I was 17 years old. I wanted to create a platform that allows a long-term good to be recirculated once it’s done being used. As we encounter new challenges in climate change and pollution, we’ll have to redefine the way that we use stuff such as clothes and household items, rather than treating them with a consumed and dispose mentality. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, right?
I knew I wanted to start a company while getting an engineering degree at a university. When looking at my college options, the University of Illinois stood out the most to me because of its fantastic entrepreneurship resources. So my freshman year, I moved in with an inventory of 500 clothing items. Before I even started class, I was able to find a co-working space in downtown Urbana, where I could store my clothes and get to work immediately. My next step was to find teammates. Lots of students are interested in startups, and the U of I offers a lot of networking events and chats where you can easily mingle with professors, students, and researchers. So it wasn’t difficult for me to find a group of passionate teammates who had strong marketing and software development skills.
Throughout the rest of my freshman year, we participated in many startup competitions. They included Cozad, which is a startup competition that has a $25,000 grant prize. And Illinois Impact Incubator, which helps to support social and environmentally focused startups like us. Over the summer, we also joined the prestigious iVenture Accelerator. iVenture Accelerator supports top students startups at the university. With iVenture’s help, we were able to take the company full-time and Karma Trade opened its first retail store. The moment when Karma Trade was no longer a “what if”, sparked a new energy in me and the company. Now, at the end of my sophomore year, we’ve helped over 100 people rejuvenate their wardrobe instead of going to fast fashion companies. More importantly, we’ve rescued over 2000 clothing items from landfill.
Running Karma Trade has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences I’ve had in life so far. I’ve learned what it means to be a business owner and team leader, while also making a positive environmental impact. And we’re just getting started. Our next step is to bring the service online, where you can swap your clothes and shop from your couch. I can’t wait to see where things will go from here. And I know the U of I network will be ready and willing to support us along the way. If you have an idea that you want to pursue, the U of I will help you achieve it. Back to you, Alex.
Mona, I can’t believe you’re only a sophomore. Karma Trade sounds like an amazing concept and I look forward to seeing it takeoff. It sounds like it already has. Bye Mona.
Making sure there aren’t barriers for people who want a world-class education is at the heart of the U of I’s mission. One big example is Illinois Commitment. A free tuition scholarship for Illinois residents whose families make under a certain amount. What’s crazy, is that 1/3 of all incoming students have received Illinois Commitment since it launched. And there are other types of scholarships and aid too. Which made it possible for Arnoldo, the student you’re about to meet, to study here. Once students get here, the university keeps importing them in all kinds of ways too. Let’s head over to the Temple Hoyne Buell Hall on the South Quad to hear Arnoldo, tell us about his path to the U of I and how he’s helping others as well. Take it away, Arnoldo.
Thanks Alex. So, when I was in high school, I never imagined moving out for college. Growing up in a rural Illinois, I never really heard of many people leaving town to go to school. And as a first-generation student, it wasn’t really an option that I considered until halfway through high school. At the time I figured the best course of action for me was to stay home and go to community college instead. Even though I knew I had the grades to get into a great university like U of I.
I decided to apply for fun. When I finally did get accepted, I was proud of myself. But the moment was bittersweet. At the time, I hadn’t yet received any financial aid. I figured there could be no way I could afford to attend U of I without taking out a loan. Even though I knew it was the perfect university for me. Fast forward to decision day. When I impulsively decided to accept my offer in the hopes that I’d receive a good enough award. When I finally did get my award letter, low and behold, I had gotten a full ride. I was elated. I couldn’t help, but think of how fortunate I was to ever receive such a generous gift from my number one pick. And I knew that I had to make the most of my time here on campus.
During my freshman year, I decided to run for student government. I was elected as a Senator, and would spend my sophomore year representing the students in my college, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. I knew this was the perfect moment to bring about change. And so my student government colleagues and I, along with other student organizations on campus, decided to create a new scholarship, dedicated to students who don’t qualify for federal financial aid. We all knew the importance of attending a higher education institution like U of I, and we all knew the barriers that these communities had to face just to get here. We worked throughout my sophomore year to get the scholarship approved. I was then named the scholarships director. Tasked with the responsibility of implementing the scholarship successfully.
I couldn’t help, but feel slightly emotional when the first scholarships were officially launched and posted on the student’s accounts. I knew exactly how those students would feel. Because I had experienced that moment of bliss myself. I was happy to pay it forward and give hope to students who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend U of I. A group of Illini all focused on the same goal, brought about this fantastic change on campus. And this commitment, “by students for students”, is what makes U of I a place for everyone. Back to you, Alex.
That’s such a great story, Arnoldo. I love that you’re paying it forward and giving others the opportunity to become part of the U of I family too. Take care.
kay, everyone, we’re gonna kick things off with Sami. A recent graduate from the finance program and former student body president. He’s the perfect person to give us an intro to Utah State, and talk about what makes this school so special. All right, Sami, time to get the tour going.
– Hi, everyone! I wanna tell you some of my story, and give you an idea of what Utah State University is all about. I was born and raised in Ethiopia. and I came to Salt Lake City at the age of 11 with my family. My mother’s dream for me was to be able to attend college and find success in the United States. However, being in a first-generation immigrant family, I didn’t have the blueprint for college. When I arrived at Utah State, I wasn’t sure if I’d find success, but I quickly learned this was the perfect place for me. Although my cultural and ethnic background differed from most students and faculty, I never felt out of place. I found my home here at Utah State because of the university’s accepting and friendly nature helped me reach my highest potential as a student beyond what I thought was possible. Let me tell you a little about USU. It’s home to top-notch academics, great hands-on experience, and cutting edge research. As a student, I was able to see these high academic standards in my courses. For example, my international finance course was one of the most challenging and impactful classes I’ve taken. Getting that global perspective is extremely valuable. As Aggies, we are dedicated to improving the world around us. Aggies protect our nation’s water supply, help make the world a safer place during earthquakes, and even study how to grow plants in space. In my time at Utah State, I accomplished things I never would have imagined. Thanks to my friends, professors and mentors, I was elected as student body president for two consecutive years. I’m most proud of the work that I did in that role, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The university’s commitment to bringing students back safely on campus during the fall of 2020 required significant amount of work. And I attended countless meetings to help determine classroom and safety policies. Being the only student in those high-level meetings required thoughtful consideration before making recommendations. I love you Utah State University, because all students who attend here have the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of background or previous educational experience. Utah State is truly a student centric university that is committed to student success beyond any other priorities. I hope my story, and the other Aggies you’re about to hear from, can show you how special this place truly is. And now back to you, Alex.
– Sami, what an awesome story. Thanks for sharing how Utah State became home away from home. You’re a great ambassador and success story for the university, best of luck in the future. Thanks again for that.
Okay, now we’ll meet up with Alex out on the quad. He’s a junior majoring in global communication. And he grew up in Logan. There’s nobody better suited to describe life as an Aggie and this tight-knit community with Utah State at its core. From one Alex to another, take it away.
– Thanks Alex. Hello everyone, and welcome to Logan, Utah! My hometown and the beautiful home of the Utah State Aggies. Utah State University is the lifeblood of this community. There’s a feeling of excitement and pride associated with being part of it. I grew up here taking Sunday walks on campus, playing piano recitals in USU’s concert halls, and cheering on the Aggies at Maverick Stadium and at The Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The electric energy I felt each time I visited campus, made it clear to me that when I grew up, I wanted to be part of the Aggie family. The Aggie family is iconic. It begins with the friends that you make during your time here on campus, and extends far beyond that to anyone who has ever been associated with the university. It’s the people that you meet and the memories you create together that you remember most from your time in college. And there is so much to do here, both on and off campus to make memories. Getting involved in the traditions here at Utah State is something that I’ve looked forward to doing my entire life. One of my favorites is the Luminary. Where the university president leads the incoming freshmen class on a lantern procession to the quad, where they gather in the shape of an Aggie A, and kick off the four-year adventure that is to come. On the quad you’ll find Weeks of Welcome, movies and concerts, food truck fairs, and on homecoming night, hundreds of students line these sidewalks to share a midnight kiss a top of this block A to become true Aggies. We’ve also got The Howl, which is one of the most thrilling college Halloween parties this side of the Mississippi. There’s plenty to do off-campus as well. Logan is situated between two beautiful mountain ranges, making it an ideal outdoor destination in any season. There are two ski resorts less than an hour away from campus and tons of trails for hiking and mountain biking. My friends and I love to take the 15-minute drive up Logan Canyon, for a day on the beach of Bear Lake, followed by our famous raspberry shake. USU’s outdoor recreation program has all the equipment you could ever need, and they also host outdoor adventure trips. Aside from being an outdoor paradise, Logan is also an arts Mecca. On the same historic block downtown are three stunning theaters, where plays, musicals and operas are produced year round. Plenty of students participate in these productions. You’ll also find art galleries and concerts and venues downtown. I’ve been so inspired by the art scene here in Logan, that I’ve even started writing a musical of my own. Well, there’s a little taste of Logan for you. I hope you can come see it for yourself. Go Aggies! And back to you, Alex.
– Let me know when you’re holding auditions for that musical, Alex, it’s great to get a feel for Utah State, from the perspective of a student and a local. I hope I count as a member of the Aggie family now, that was fantastic, take care.
Now, you’ve heard about the beach. So it’s time to head over to Narragansett town beach where we will meet Emma. Emma has gone coast to coast coming from California and choosing to study in the ocean state. With the shore just 10 minutes from campus, students are able to experience all four seasons while spending time at the beach and living the dream. Emma is so excited to tell us more. Off to you, Emma.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. URI is such a beautiful campus with amazing views, sunsets and more. The village of Kingston as well as the beach town of Narragansett, allow URI students to reap the benefits of a coastal campus. The shining star of this area is the beach as well as the caring coastal community. One of my absolute favorite things to do is grab some delicious food from one of the many Rhode Island favorites around town, like Brickley’s Ice Cream or Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House, and sit by the seawall with some friends. Thankfully, this is so easy to do because the beach is only a short 15-minute car ride from campus. There are also so many fun water sports to enjoy nearby. The URI Sailing Center offers kayaking and paddle boarding, which I had the opportunity to experience this past fall with incoming first year students. I even went surfing for the first time at Narragansett town beach with my best friends during Easter weekend. Many students live on campus and head to Narragansett to make memories. However, so many students also love to call the town of Narragansett their home. This past year, I lived down the line in an off-campus house with my three other roommates in a beautiful seaside community. Although living in the residence halls was an unforgettable experience, there’s not many people who can say they lived in a beach house during college. I enjoy living in this caring and close-knit neighborhood where I get to see kids making snowmen in the yard during winter. And I’m greeted at the bagel place down the street by name with a smile every Sunday morning. Calling Narragansett home makes it pretty easy to say. I’m living the dream. When I moved here from California three years ago, I would have never expected to love the state as much as I do. I was so enticed by going to a school by the beach, experiencing all four seasons, and getting to try new things. My time at URI has been such an amazing experience that I now plan to stay on the East Coast for graduate school and beyond. I fell in love with New England and I cannot wait to continue my education and fulfill my dream of becoming a physician assistant. Well, that’s my experience living in this beautiful town. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Emma. It looks like URI has made an East Coast girl out of you. What an incredible opportunity URI students have being so close to the beach and also being able to live in some beautiful houses. I can’t wait to go try some Rhode Island classics. Maybe I’ll go check out Iggy’s first. Take care, Emma
Let’s head over to the Funk Aces Library on the South Quad now to meet Chase. A senior majoring in agricultural and consumer economics. U of I students can choose from over 150 majors. And they’re encouraged to carve out their own academic path based on their interests and goals. So you get the benefits of a really big school, with lots of options and with individualized attention from professors who know you. Another cool thing about the U of I is that it’s a land-grant university. Which essentially means that it was founded with the goals of serving society and having true impact. It’s in their charter and woven into the academics and research across campus. Chase, please take it away.
Thanks Alex. What’s up guys? So 40 days – that’s the number of excused absences I had in my senior year in high school. It was largely due to my involvement in extracurricular activities. But other days, I spent working on my family’s farm. And honestly, if I could choose between sitting in a classroom all day or being outside working with my hands, I would choose work each and every time. That’s why, when I decided to go to college, I wanted to go somewhere that had a good mixture of being classroom and then application-based learning. U of I has always been known for having a first-class education right here in the state of Illinois. And so I knew that it would challenge me. And allow me to find things that I was passionate about to run with it.
I’m an agricultural and consumer economics major concentrating in agribusiness markets and management. And I chose ACE because I grew up on a family farm raising hogs, cattle, and row crop and has always been involved with the business side of the industry. ACE has greatly expanded my basic knowledge of economics and has allowed me to apply it in so many different ways. Plenty of classes in ACE provide that bridge that I was seeking between classroom and real world situations.
U of I’s college of ACE is also known for having one of the best career fairs and some of the greatest internship opportunities in the state. Some recruiters visit the U of I and nowhere else due to the amazing pool of qualified individuals that they’ll find right here on campus. Obviously, the more hands-on experiences I could get the better. So the first chance I got, I got my full suit, grabbed my resumes and hit the career fair. I talked to dozens of recruiters that day and ended up landing a marketing internship with John Deere at their global headquarters in Moline, Illinois.
My internship started the summer after my sophomore year. And it felt great, putting those hours of learning into use with a fortune 100 company. It was hard to leave after that summer. But I was lucky enough to come back the next summer with another marketing internship. This ended up landing me a full-time offer with Deere that I accepted in my senior year. After graduation, I’ll be working for John Deere in their Marketing Rep Development Program.
I give credit to the U of I. They took a student who wasn’t a big fan of the classroom and gave me opportunities to learn the best way that I can through real world experiences and hands-on lessons. If you’re like I was my senior year, you might think that college has isn’t right for you. But you just got to find the college that fits you and your learning style. And then from there, you can really go achieve your goals. Back to you, Alex.
Chase, great job. Your story really points to both the fantastic academic possibilities here and the hands-on, real-world opportunities that prepare you to have an impact on the world. Good luck on that great job you landed. Cheers Chase.
Now taking center stage, we have Sophie Paul. This is a campus of creators and makers. The arts abound at Puget Sound. And Sophie is a senior majoring in cello performance and is excited to pull back the curtain on what it’s like being a student at a conservatory caliber school of music. Sophie, you’re on.
– Thanks Alex. Hi there everyone. I’m coming from the university of Puget Shnifet concert hall, one of our incredible performing arts spaces here on campus. When I was looking at colleges, I knew that I wanted to be involved in music, but I wasn’t sure to what extent. Music is one of my favorite things, but I didn’t want it to be the only thing I could do in college. Puget Sound offers a robust music program without sacrificing a strong liberal arts education. This has opened up many opportunities for me as a musician and student. One thing that I appreciate most is that you don’t have to be a music major or minor to fully participate or access scholarships. So talented students from all areas of study come together and ensembles and classes. Through the school of music, I’ve had the opportunity to build a vibrant musical life on campus that is also deeply connected to my social relationships. This includes playing in symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, singing in the Adelphian concert choir and working as a peer advisor for many of our first year music students. The arts of Puget Sound also offers rich and diverse visual and theater arts programs which are similarly open to all regardless of major. We have nearly a dozen beautiful creative spaces and studios across campus, including a student run art gallery, creating an environment for students to try lots of things, exploring many areas of interest. The school of music has transformed me as a musician and student, and has opened to many exciting pathways after graduation. I’ve had so many incredible opportunities here and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. That’s all from me for now, back to you Alex.
– Sophie, that was amazing. Your passion is palpable and you make it look effortless. Thank you for sharing your incredible experiences with us. We can’t wait to see one of your upcoming performances.
Now we’re gonna hear from Elena Becker, who is exactly what the university hopes its students become a successful and engaged alum. Elena wholeheartedly believes once a logger, always a logger and she’s going to tell us why, Elena.
– Thanks Alex. Hi everyone. I’m a proud recent alum of Puget Sound, where I graduated with a bachelor’s in sociology and anthropology and minors in French and global development studies. I loved my time here at Puget Sound. I studied abroad twice in Malaysian Borneo in Madagascar, played varsity lacrosse all four years. Led orientation groups and presented my own independent research at national and international conferences. When I think back on my college experience, what really stands out is that Puget Sound gave me the space to figure out who I am and what I care about. It gave me community and mentors and confidence to try some things and fail and try more things and succeed. And ultimately to affirm myself as a leader, a scholar and a person. That approach pays off after graduation. Puget Sound has more than 40,000 alumni worldwide, which is great for networking in the Pacific Northwest and well beyond. Our graduates work at interesting and successful places, like Nike, Boeing, the CDC, Netflix, NPR, apple, and thousands more. For many of us, me included, grad school is a part of that journey. And Puget Sound has a more than 80% admit rate to medical school, 90% to law school and is in the top 10% of universities nationwide whose graduates go on to earn PhDs. Now I’m a master’s student studying public administration at the university of Washington. And I’m so grateful for my undergraduate experience. Because of my time at Puget Sound, I know I’m better positioned to be successful in this new chapter. I love this community and I really can’t wait for you to learn more about it. So Alex, take it away.
– Elena, I can tell how much you love your Alma mater. Puget Sound has an impressive roster of graduates who are doctors and ambassadors, tech entrepreneurs and CEOs and I’m excited to hear where you find your place. Best of luck on your new adventure. Okay everyone I told you the university of Puget Sound was a special place and hopefully it’s clear why and how it changes lives. I wanna thank all the exceptional students, faculty, and alumni for generously giving their time to share the heart of Puget Sound and what makes it tick. What a unique university set in a truly unmatched location. So that’s it for me. Now it’s up to you all to go learn more about the university of Puget Sound for yourself and hopefully we’ll see you on campus real soon. Cheers, everybody.
All right, everyone. Let’s go meet Joel over at Hillside Hall. Joel is a junior who’s a Rhode Island native and is studying mechanical engineering. Joel is gonna talk to us about his experiences meeting all kinds of people while at URI and how participating in clubs sports led him to some unexpected places. With more than 30 multicultural clubs on campus, Joel and other students are able to interact with so many different people. Let’s hear from Joel now.
– Thanks, Alex. I’m excited to share with you all my URI experience and how the people I’ve met along the way have been some of the best parts of my college career. Being born in Jamaica and becoming a Rhode Island resident at age four, attending my state’s flagship institution was an easy choice. I want to meet all different types of people with various backgrounds and experiences. And by making URI my home, I’ve definitely been able to do that. When I first started at URI, I was placed in a Living and Learning Community or an LLC. These are communities of students who live together and share the same academic interests. And in my case, I was placed with other engineering students. While it was beneficial for me to connect with others in my classes, I found myself hanging out more with pharmacy majors right here. I wasn’t expecting to become close with students outside my program, but it was my first lesson in realizing that URI was gonna provide me with exactly what I wanted, the opportunity to connect with others who are different from me. Getting involved in club sports was another way I was able to connect with people who had different experiences from me. I was a member of the 2019 club volleyball team that won the national championships in Denver, Colorado. Being able to travel with my team, compete for a national championship, and do it all in my first year was incredible. I’ve always had a competitive streak and club sports gave me an outlet for that even with a rigorous curriculum like mechanical engineering. Through my time on the team, I’ve been able to build friendships that have been strong ever since. The students I’ve met aren’t the only people who have had a significant impact on my time at URI. I’ve also been able to benefit from incredible mentorship through my involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers or NSBE. In this organization, I met two mentors who helped me as I navigated the URI engineering curriculum. I first met Tailynn after she presented at a NSBE event at URI. She gave me the opportunity to travel to the national convention in my first year because she saw my potential. I’ve really been able to find myself at URI. I realized that my interests can extend beyond my major. And by living on campus and getting involved in every opportunity I can, I’ve been able to help others along the way. That’s a little bit about me. Now back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Joel. Sounds like URI is a community of students and alumni who all wanna challenge themselves and get out of their comfort zone. You’ve had some amazing URI experiences and we cannot wait to see more of what you are gonna do next. Take care.