ow we’re going to the Heights with Dr. Latoya Brackett. Dr. Brackett is going to explain what to the Heights means and how the community here aspires to live it in every aspect of the Puget Sound experience. Dr. Brackett over to you.
– Thanks for that introduction Alex, greetings everyone. I joined the faculty here at Puget Sound because students come first for me. Puget Sound’s guiding motto is To the Heights, which is a call to action for us to be better than we were before and to reach beyond our expectations. As an assistant professor of African-American studies, I have the privilege of witnessing many moments of clarity for my students. Many students find that their academics here interact with the social justice narratives that impact their everyday lives. Here at Puget Sound students don’t simply learn how to make a change, they lead it. Like several of our students in the summer of 2020, who led the largest black lives matter march here in Tacoma watching my students was one of the best moments as a professor and as a member of the leadership team for the race pedagogy Institute. As injustices continue we must ask ourselves, how do we best prepare our students to lead. Here at Puget Sound we answered that question each and every day. At the race and pedagogy Institute, one of a kinds community engaged entity, working to end racism and the programs like FIPSE, the freedom education project, Puget Sound, which helps provide educational opportunities for incarcerated women here in Washington. Puget Sound offers bachelor’s degrees in critically engaged disciplines like African-American studies where I teach and gender and birth studies and an environmental policy and decision-making to name a few. With opportunities like the summer fellowship internship, where Puget Sound fun students interested in working with local nonprofits and with an Institute that hosts a conference every four years dedicated to race and education, you will not be left behind in the changing world. With us, you will be the change maker. Each semester I get to launch a new set of students into a curriculum that shows them that the process is the product. And each spring I get to cheer some of them on as they graduate. And I get to witness the beginnings of their greatness beyond Puget Sound. And yet another change begins. Back to you Alex.
– Dr. Brackett, that was inspiring. We should definitely all try to live To the Heights. You and Puget Sound students are doing so much important work, thank you.
Next is Kalina. She is tearing it up on the soccer field and in the classroom as a double major in African-American studies and politics and government with a political theory concentration. 50% of Puget Sound students participate in NCAA club or intramural sports and Kalina is gonna tell us what putting on the logger uniform is all about. Kalina passing it to you.
– Thanks for that introduction Alex. It was a goal of mine to play soccer at the collegiate level close to home. After my visit, I immediately loved the campus and felt confident this program was right for me. And knowing that Puget Sound is a top performer with many conference titles and national tournament appearances was definitely a game changer. Part of competing at the collegiate level is staying in shape year round. And this is just one of Puget Sound’s top tier athletics facilities. We recently renovated the fitness center, aquatic center and more, so I have everything I need to remain fit for competition. And of course these facilities aren’t just for athletes, but for all members of our campus. Being an athlete has also meant learning how to lead off the field. Some of my peers and I co founded the association of student athletes of color, an organization aimed at supporting and retaining student athletes of color at Puget Sound. It’s been a space for us to share our experiences, learn about the history of athletes of color as activists. And we’ve even been a part of diversity and inclusion initiatives with both the NCAA and our athletics community. We envision our club growing as more student athletes of color come to Puget Sound and join a space made for them by students like them. Puget Sound is the largest program in the Northwest conference with 23 teams and 20% of students here are varsity athletes. But athletics extends beyond NCAA sports. We have clubs from rugby to pickle ball and any student can organize an intramural team. With other facilities like a climbing wall and a tennis pavilion, there’s truly a place for anyone to stay active while attending Puget Sound. Through athletics, I’ve discovered I want my future to be centered around social justice and it has given me the opportunity to grow as a player, person and leader on the women’s soccer team and in my community. Well, that’s my story. Kicking it back to you Alex.
– Hi, it’s Kalina. Kalina thank you. That was fantastic hearing about how athletics has shaped you as a player and a professional striving for social justice is remarkable. Thank you so much for sharing that and go loggers.
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. Everyone let’s meet Dr. Nick Kontogeorgopoulos. or as most students call him, Konto. He’s had the best job ever, spending years guiding students exploration and contributions around the globe. Konto is going to highlight a unique program called PAC Rim and many other international opportunities that probably explain why Puget Sound is a top producer of peace Corps volunteers. Konto, all you.
– Thanks, Alex. One of the most transformational things I did as a student was study abroad, experiencing a different culture, gave me a totally different perspective and opened up all kinds of possibilities. Here at Puget Sound, we offer more than a hundred programs in 44 countries, and we work with every one of our students to make sure we find the perfect choice for them. For nearly 50 years, Puget Sound has offered it’s one of a kind Pacific rim study abroad program or PAC rim, as we like to call it around here. PAC rim is an immersive and high impact study abroad program led by faculty to multiple destinations in Asia. PAC rim students form a learning community and prepare as a group before heading off to Asia for several months of innovative coursework and experiential learning. The Pac room experience is unlike any other. Our students have hiked the Himalayas, navigated the streets of Delhi and Mumbai, cooked Thai food with their home stay families and explored the architecture of Beijing. Experiences like this connect the classroom to the world beyond and make PAC rim an unforgettable part of the Puget Sound experience. PAC rim is just one of many faculty led study abroad programs that bring students overseas after taking an on-campus course. Indonesia, Greece, Ghana, Argentina. These are just some of the places our students have visited with their professors and to take a one step further, we offer a peace Corp prep program that prime students, both for peace Corps service, but also international development work. Puget Sound is the place for experiential learning. You can be sure that there’s an opportunity waiting for you here at Puget Sound. Well, that’s it for me? What’s next Alex?
– Professor Konto Thank you. I’m so jealous of these extraordinary experiences your students have and grateful for the impact. so many of them are making, take care.
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.
Okay so let’s head off campus and join up along the Sound with Miguel. He’s going to show us how to Tacoma is the full trifecta with city sea and snow-capped mountains. I can’t believe you get to go to college here Miguel. Now please take it away.
– Audi, when I was looking at schools to transfer to, I wanted a place that had options. What I found was a home here at the university of Puget Sound and in Tacoma. one of my favorite things to do is to walk along Rustin way and taken the beautiful mountain views and ocean breeze just a few minutes from campus. We are in the heart of beautiful Tacoma, the city of destiny. Tacoma is a very vibrant city that has everything I could ever want. Restaurants on sixth avenue, shopping on Proctor, art, museums and music downtown. I’m a music major so trust me when I say the Tacoma dome is the venue for concerts. And of course, coffee is the vibe here. I’m a dark rose cream and sugar guy myself, and there are at least a dozen independent cafes and roasteries within walking distance of campus. Most of the time I am on campus and everybody talks about how gorgeous it is, and that is totally fair. It has been ranked one of the top 20 most beautiful campuses in the country. But we’re not just a pretty face. The sense of community here is amazing. And being a part of this unique city provides opportunities for internships and experiential learning that you can’t find in most places. The university of Puget Sound is perfectly located. If I want even more options, I head up to Pike’s place market in Seattle. And when I get into the thick of the semester and need a break, either head down to the ocean or over to the mountains, I think my ride is here, back to you Alex.
– Miguel, that was amazing. And so is that view. Tacoma is so dynamic, I love it. You really get the best of everything and it’s awesome you’re taking full advantage of it all. Now, I don’t think I need any more coffee, but if I do, I’m gonna check out that spot. Thanks again, Miguel.
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.
We are about to meet Sarah, One of the 2,256 graduate students at URI. Sarah from New Jersey, studied marine biology here and is now entering her one year master’s program at URI. Let’s go hear from Sarah who is on the Cap’n Bert boat, a URI research vessel about her experiences with the sea.
– Thank you, Alex and ahoy there, everyone. I got my start at the University of Rhode Island as a marine biology major. And now, I’m here continuing my education as a master student, studying environmental science and management. Today, I’m gonna be talking to you all about how college education is more important than just learning skills for a job. Learning outside of the classroom is just as important in helping to elevate your goals. My first semester here, I was lucky to have Dr. Bradley Wetherbee as my URI 101 professor. Dr. Wetherbee is one of the best shark researchers in New England. And at the end of my class with him, I asked if he had any openings in his lab on campus. He had a few students graduating from his lab so I was able to jump right into tracking sharks off the coast of Rhode Island, California and Mexico as soon as my second semester here. I even got to take some trips out of the marina to tag sharks myself along with a few other students. In January of 2020, I participated in a J Term course led by Dr. Graham Forrester and Katie Nickles in Bonaire, which is a little island off the coast of Venezuela. This was a coral reef conservation scuba diving course where we got to dive three times a day for two weeks. We actually got to spend a little over 21 hours underwater throughout the class. We learned all sorts of things like diver impacts on the reef, fish counting, and the difference between Marine protected areas versus non-protected areas. My knowledge of coral skyrocketed after this course. And I was able to learn many different species of corals as well as some diseases that take over those corals. It really helped me to delve into what I wanna do post-graduation. Two summers ago, I held an environmental education internship at a place called The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. This internship was 13 weeks long. And I learned that not only do I love the research aspect of marine biology, but I also love being able to spark an interest in marine life in young children and adults. Being able to see people’s faces light up when they learn something new or got to hold an animal from one of our touch tanks and learning stations was something quite amazing. I got to practice my public speaking and communication skills by running all the educational programming throughout the Institute. And this really helped show me all the opportunities that are waiting for me once I cross the stage with my master’s degree at graduation next year. The hands-on experiences that I’ve had during my time at URI will have lasting impacts on my career as I continue my work and studies in marine biology. Without URI, I wouldn’t have been able to challenge myself through travel, classes, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities that will make me an overall better environmentalist. That’s my story so far at URI. And I can’t wait to see how the rest of it unfolds. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Sarah. You really had so many hands-on learning experiences that propelled you to the next step in your journey at URI. Tagging sharks, educating young people, and traveling to Bonaire have all definitely shaped your journey. More than 6,700 students participate annually in experiential learning. And the work they do outside of the classroom changes their trajectory. Just take it from Sarah. Thanks again for that.
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.
Okay, Everyone. Kate, a senior in the Chinese flagship program is over at Lippitt Hall, home to the university’s honors program. Students in the honors program study the important issues facing our society and seek innovative solutions to the challenges they encounter. The Chinese flagship program is teaching Kate to be proficient in Mandarin Chinese and allows her to have so many different global learning experiences. Kate sure has an incredible story to tell. So let’s hear from her. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. In Mandarin, I just said, “Welcome to URI and my name is Kate.” I was originally born in Seoul, South Korea. At the age of four months old, I was adopted and raised in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. As a Korean-American with French-Canadian parents, I’ve always had an immense passion for travel, languages, and culture. And I knew I wanted to attend a university that not only allowed me to further explore these interests, but to expand them into skills and knowledge applicable towards a career in international relations and law. And that’s when I was introduced to the Chinese flagship program here at URI. The Chinese flagship program is one of only 12 other programs in the entire country and offers an intensive, holistic, and incredibly rewarding opportunity for students to achieve a superior level of proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. But aside from this, my time as a Ram has also allowed me to travel all over East Asia, all simultaneously earning credit towards my degrees. The URI’s partnership with Korea University, I was able to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea, and attend their international winter campus where I took Korean classes and explore more of my native heritage and culture. Thanks to the help of URI’s Office of National Fellowships and Academic Opportunities, I was awarded both the Boren and Gilman national scholarships, as well as the Rhode Island Demers language scholarship There are a total of more than $44,000 towards my study abroad program in Taiwan. Even beyond this, being selected as a Boren scholar, it means that I’ll have a job with the federal government, working in national security after I graduate, an incredible start to my professional career after college. But if studying abroad perhaps isn’t for you, URI still has countless opportunities for all of its students. Take the honors program for example, open to students from all departments and disciplines, the honors program not only offers students with unexpanded course selection and early enrollment opportunities, but also allows students the opportunity to conduct research or other scholarly and creative work for academic credit through the honors project. Becoming a Ram has provided me with countless opportunities that have allowed for my professional, academic, and personal growth. And I have no doubt that it will do the exact same for you. Well, that’s my story. Now back to you, Alex.
– Wow. Kate, thank you for sharing. It’s amazing to hear about the experiences that URI students can have because of the university’s global mindset with over 700 plus study away opportunities. Your work with URI’s Office of National Fellowships and Academic Opportunities is surely leading you to some big places. From the experience you’ve had abroad to the work you’ve done here in Kingston, you’ll surely be able to change the world and I can’t wait to see what you do. Take care.