All right, here we go. Everyone knows football is big in Texas, and there’s no exception here at UNT. So let’s head over to the Apogee Stadium where we gonna to meet Audrey Tan, a senior finance major who also happens to be an unbelievable golfer. And she’s gonna talk to us about athletics here at UNT. Audrey you’re on.
– Thank you Alex, hey everybody. I applied to UNT and about 50 other schools with no knowledge of UNT or the quality of the athletic program, but it was coach Akers, thoughtful and personalized approach that won me over. He also set the precedent of the kind of supportive people within the athletic department and throughout UNT campus. Being a student-athlete is challenging between driving school and practice. You also need time management skills and the ability to work under pressure, but most importantly, it is making sure we have time to refuel and take care of ourselves. Being thousands of miles away from home and thrown into a whole new culture, took a little while to get used to. But everyone here has been so supportive and shared me so many helpful resources. With the amazing support system here, I was able to settle in quickly. UNTS championship athletic teams I call them Mean , and you can really feel that Mean Green pride throughout campus. With people wearing , throwing out the claw and filling Apogee Stadium during football games. With 16 division one teams and over 130 conference championships, you can see what my fellow student athletes like to call you UNT our home. My three years representing UNT on and off the golf course has pushed me to achieve many of my goals. I won my very first conference title and went on to win my next post season event, while setting a personal scoring record. Through the amazing events and experiences here, I have grown so much as a person and a golfer, helping me take my game to the next level. That’s my story, and back to you, Alex.
– So cool, being a student-athlete is so challenging and being that you’re also from Malaysia makes your story even better. You have a special community here and we all can’t wait to see you on the tour. Good luck Audrey and take care.
This is gonna be great, Here’s Vanessa, a senior majoring in education, and she’s gonna tell us her UNT experience in her first language, Spanish. Take it away, Vanessa.
– Thank you, Alex, hey. Studying education of UNT has made me understand that there is always a way to use or implement other languages in the classroom while promoting internationalization. And this makes me super excited about my future as an English teacher and well, that’s all for me today. Back to you, Alex.
– Gracias Vanessa, your bilingualism has not only opened up opportunities for you, but for others as well. I loved hearing about your on-campus job, assisting students in both Spanish and English, wow! And the first-generation success center sounds like an amazing resource too. Kudos to you Vanessa, take care.
Get ready to meet Jane. She is a junior majoring in sociology, and she’s going to talk about the impact that research has on her studies here at the university. Jane, take it away.
– Hey, y’all. My name is Jane, and I’m from Colorado Springs, Colorado. And I chose the University of Oregon because I felt like I was more than just a number. In other words, I was a person before I was a student. And now I’m here studying sociology and art. Being a part of the social sciences department is something I’ve been really grateful for. I’ve always loved challenging myself academically and my peers and professors have made that really easy to do. There are quite a few majors to choose from. Some of our most popular are economics in general social science. But I found my home in the sociology department. I’ve always loved studying the world and the people in it. And lucky for me, that dream has become a reality here. I’m able to work with classmates who also want to deep dive into that research as well. Everyone in this department is incredibly passionate about what they’re doing and that’s what connects us. Whether it’s through the sociology club or a history class, it’s completely up to you. I always thought research was something that only graduate students could do. But here at the University of Oregon research is ingrained in you the second you step foot on campus. In fact, three quarters of our student population is involved in research. It’s not just for stem majors either, but for all of us, social science majors as well. My classmates and I get to research and study underlying social issues or how one portion of society functions all while connecting that data directly to the community around us. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in college, but I knew I wanted to work with everyone around me. And something that makes the UO so special is just that, the people. I’m able to study what I love while having fun and making meaningful connections. And that’s something that I’m really grateful for. But that’s it for my story. Throwing it back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Jane, for showing us that research doesn’t only belong in the lab. Here at the university, anyone can engage in research. From biology and chemistry to sociology, there really is a chance for every student to explore what interests them, and that is awesome. Thanks again.
Time to head over to Zach. Zach is a sophomore majoring in linguistics and Japanese, and he can’t wait to tell us about his experience at the UOs college of arts and sciences. The floor is all yours, Zack.
– Thanks Alex. Hello everyone. The University of Oregon was always my first choice. The students and faculty are so warm and inviting and an environment where we could be open, honest and friendly with each other was very important to me. And I felt that from the moment I stepped on campus. One aspect of the university that has been very important to my learning is not only how invested the faculty are in their fields of study, but how interested they are in sharing that knowledge and getting students excited about their particular fields. Many of the faculty are conducting research with undergraduate students, something that I’m very excited to be a part of starting this year. When it comes to the humanities and linguistics in particular, this kind of research, combining many different fields, such as sociology, psychology and linguistics can help us understand each other and make the world a better place, which is a large driving force behind humanities research here at the University of Oregon. Humanities at the UO will open up a wide range of career possibilities for me. From being able to work at a Japanese company abroad to translation work, or even being able to work full time researching as a professor, this field helps me understand the different perspectives and ways in which people think and express themselves. Although my college career has taken me in many exciting directions, I’m now able to visualize what I want out of a career for myself. Thanks to the humanities in particular I now have a plan and I’m excited to make a difference in the lives of people, both foreign and domestic. Thank you so much for listening to my story. Now back to you, Alex.
– Thanks Zach. The humanities certainly do provide an opportunity for students to go into a wide range of careers after graduating. Obrigado.
Okay everyone. Let’s meet Amy. She’s in her senior year studying public relations here at the UO. Amy will be talking about this stunning campus nestled in the Willamette valley and its proximity to some of the most breathtaking landscapes here in the Pacific Northwest. Amy, please take it away.
– Hey everyone. I’m so excited to share my experience here at UO. I grew up just outside Portland and wanted to stay in state for the college experience, but wasn’t sure what career I wanted to pursue or what to expect coming to UO. Where I’ve ended up is completely different from what I expected. And I’m so happy it all put out the way it did. I’ve met so many people here who inspired me to find what I’m passionate about, which I’ve discovered is being outdoors. Eugene is definitely unique place. There are hiking trails, climbing gyms, parks in the Willamette river. And if you go a little bit out of town, there’s waterfalls, mountains for skiing and the beach. Eugene is just a few hours away from Smith rock, my favorite place in Oregon. I’m only a two-hour drive from Portland, one hour from the coast, a few hours from skiing in Ben and exploring the redwoods down in Northern California. Living in the Pacific Northwest has given me the opportunity to pursue self-reflection and figure out what I love to do. The UO prepared me for my past two internships, which helped me find balance in my life. Feeling confident about my experiences allows me to focus my energy on my passions, which I’m so excited to keep exploring. Had I not chosen to go to UO three years ago and met the people I did, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I learned to go with what feels right and be open to new experiences. Everybody’s college experience is different and mine is a lot different than expected, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Back to you, Alex.
– Amy, thank you for showing us around this beautiful state of Oregon. What an amazing place to call home while you’re studying. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to hit those hiking trails. But before we do, let’s learn a bit more about this university. Thanks again for that.
Now it’s time for us to meet Jailah. She’s a senior studying human physiology and planning public policy and management. Research is super important to her. And she’s here to share with us her experience studying the natural sciences. Jailah is at the Knight campus where the UO scientific discoveries turned into the medicines and technologies we all will be using soon. Jailah, it is all yours.
– What’s up y’all and thanks Alex, for the intro. As a child growing up, I was really curious, wanting to know more about the world around me. I needed to be someplace that I could explore. The University of Oregon was that place for me. The emphasis that you UO places on research allows me to dive in and explore my interests. I am currently studying human physiology in the department of natural sciences within the college of arts and sciences. I came into college thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and that couldn’t have been further from the truth. The University of Oregon prides itself in letting students be curious, make mistakes and change their minds. There are so many programs to choose from and lots of ways for students to get involved. I also volunteer at the university health services building. What I love about the natural sciences is that faculty share their excitement for research with students and provide so many opportunities for them to get involved. And hear the Knight Campus, students can tap into new opportunities in applied science and engineering as well. Even outside of academics, the University of Oregon gives you so many opportunities to discover what you love. Our campus offers over 300 different clubs and organizations to get involved in. My time here at the University of Oregon has been something I will never forget. I have grown so much as a student and young adult. The person that I am leaving U of Oregon is so much stronger, confident, and well-rounded than the person I was entering. Thank you all so much. And back to you, Alex.
– Wow. What awesome opportunities for students both inside and outside of the classroom, and the Knight campus is definitely where innovation is taken to the next level. Thanks again, Jailah. That was fantastic.
Next up is Sarah, a junior psychology major with a personal interest in helping people around her. Sarah’s gonna tell us all about her experiences with public research for the public good and why UMBC is so keen on making community engage research, such a big part of students’ lives. It’s all yours Sarah.
– Thanks, Alex. Growing up, I always wanted to help people, whether I was with my friends or doing a volunteer project, I always felt best helping people to get in a better position. I didn’t know how to go into a community, learn about their needs and address them accordingly until I learned about the power of community driven, applied research. I love how UMBC embraces the inquiring minds of student and provide so many research opportunities to actualize our potential. I chose to study psychology to achieve my goal of affectingly helping people by analyzing their environment and the adjustments that can be made to improve their wellbeing and productivity. I received a research opportunity from my wonderful academic advisor and I worked with her for over a year to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on students’ academic success. I’m also McNair scholar, it’s a program that emphasizes research and graduate school education for underserved, low income and first generation college students. Being surrounded by a supportive community that provides funding and other resources shows that success in research is achievable. Finding research in your discipline is only a click away. You’ll be able to learn more about your field and what the needs are and you’ll be equipped with the tools necessary to elicit change wherever your education or profession takes you. My research experiences have given me the knowledge and confidence necessary to become an asset to my field and community. UMBC will help you learn your purpose, put your passion action, add to your field’s knowledge base and make the world a better place. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you so much, Sarah. I loved hearing about how you’ve been able to take what you’ve been learning and really make a difference in the community with your research. It’s amazing and such an aspiring way of combining your personal interests with your work. Thanks again.
Now we’re gonna meet Thomas, a senior political science major and President of UMBC’s National Championship winning mock trial team. Thomas loves to cheer on Retriever athletics, but he’s also gonna tell us about what it’s like to compete on an intellectual sports team at a school where it’s cool to be smart. Take it away, Thomas.
– Thank you, Alex. When I came to UMBC, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I knew that I liked politics and the law, but I wasn’t really sure how I was going to make a career out of it. I got lucky and I found UMBC’s mock trial team. Through mock trial, we compete against teams from all across the country in trial simulation activities. Students play witnesses and give testimony or play attorneys and make arguments and that’s what I do most of the time. I’m also the team’s President. I love that I’m able to compete on a successful intellectual sports team run entirely by student leaders and UMBC alumni, like our head coach, Ben Garmer, class of 2013. I get to compete with the team full of people that have differing backgrounds, ideas and majors that all have a passion for advocacy just like I do. The wide variety of people in our program is one of the reasons why we’re so good at what we do. In fact, we won a national championship this year. It’s also so important to me that UMBC values our successes. We’ve been recognized by UMBC’s president, professors who know how hard what we do is and even the governor. Even the students at UMBC are always hyped and excited to see us do our best every year. At UMBC, it’s cool to be smart. Here, I’ve learned how important it is to advocate for yourself and advocate for others and how great it feels to get cheered on, which I do a lot of at UMBC’s soccer games. I can’t wait to apply the skills that I’ve learned and the passion that I’ve developed out in the world. Back to you, Alex.
– That was amazing, it’s so cool to see how everybody cheers each other on at UMBC. Thanks for sharing your experience with mock trial and as part of Retriever Nation, Thomas. I see big things ahead for you for sure, thanks again.
Okay, everyone let’s get started with Maurice, he’s a Sophomore double majoring in communication design and art history and urban policy and planning. Maurice, is going to tell us what life on campus is all about. Okay, Maurice, it’s all yours.
– How do you all from the University of North Texas, I am honored to share some of the things that make this campus, my home. I decided that UNT was the right fit for me once I went on my first campus visit, where I found a diverse and caring community. Some people were like me and others weren’t and that’s very important. Right away I felt accepted. Now as a student living on campus, I’m able to take part in events, hosted by student-led organizations, such as the Residence Hall Association, the University Programming Council and the Black Student Union. At Mean Green Flint UNTS annual welcome back party. It was hard for me not to join every club I came across because so many of them represent so many great things and they have free swag. The dining halls are amazing and the food is incredible. They’ve won a ton of awards and I can see why. We have the first 100% vegan dining hall. Texas’ first dining hall certified free of gluten and the big eight allergens as well as a brand new dining hall. Our dining halls use sustainable eco-friendly practices and dining services even grows a lot of the food that eat. In our beautiful eco-friendly union, you will find live music events, art exhibits, and food options that can be explored to your heart’s content. Also, one of the many perks to being a student here at UNT is that you get a free ticket to all of our division one athletic events and full access to our awesome pole recreation center. These are just a few of the ways that I got involved here at UNT. With over 425 student orgs and 1,500 on-campus events each year. I’m sure that there’s something here for you. Back to you, Alex.
– Maurice, thank you for showing us why UNT is the perfect fit for you with the union, the food, the rec center and the division one games. I can see why you call UNT your home, thanks Maurice.
Up next is Dr. Ana Alonso, faculty member in the Department of Biological Science. She’s gonna give us a look at the 22 research centers and institutes at UNT and how UNT faculty work with students to collaborate on breakthrough research. Dr. Alonso, please take it away.
– Thanks Alex, hi everyone. UNT is a T1 public research institution where world-renowned faculty members, who are experts in their fields are heavily involved in scientific research. And there are many opportunities for you to be part of it all. There is a vibrant research culture here at UNT as part of our 22 research centers and institutes. We are four institutes of research excellence that tackle global challenges related to health, food security, energy security, environment, and many more. Another one of my roles is associate director of the Bio-discovery Institute, where I explore my passion for plant biochemistry. Plants are extraordinary biochemical factories, that produce a lot of molecules we are using in our everyday life like food, biofuels and medicinal compounds. In UNT state of the art labs my research group is working on alternative crops. These plants considered as weeds for a long time are now generating a lot of interest because they produce a type of oil in their seeds that you suitable for many industrial applications. These alternative crops require low agricultural input. Do not compete in the field with all the important food crops and have the potential to replace many of the petrochemicals that we are currently using. I collaborate with other researchers at UNT across the US and abroad. Most importantly, we opened the doors of our laboratories to you, our undergrad students. So you can get hands-on experience in our ongoing research projects. Think about UNT as a nest of Mean Green Eagles. When you join UNT for your studies, the caring faculty members take you under their wings. They feed you with knowledge. They share with you the most recent techniques and findings. And then when you graduate from UNT, you extend your own wings. You fly away from the nest stronger to achieve your career goals. Up to you, Alex.
– Dr. Alonso, the work you’re doing is absolutely mind blowing. I love that you include your students in your research, so they get experiential learning. I can see that UNT faculty have a special bond with their students, and that is awesome. Thanks again, Dr. Alonso, take care.