Nursing and health professions at USI are top notch with bachelor of science and nursing students regularly achieving a 100% pass rates on state boards. Tori has special motivation to succeed in her online bachelor’s in respiratory therapy program. She earned her associate’s degree from USI in 2014. So she didn’t think twice about returning to further her healthcare education. Like so many students these days, Tori is an online learner. Check out her educational journey.
– Thanks Alex. Hey everyone. When I began my college search as an undergraduate, it was important for me to find a place that not only promoted academic excellence but also a sense of community, a home away from home. The University of Southern Indiana was that place, a place where there’s opportunity to grow academically, professionally, and as an all around individual. USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions has a strong history of graduates boasting successful pass rates on national exams and for preparing its students for leadership roles in healthcare around the country. Not only did my early academic experience prepare me for the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, but USI also afforded a vast array of other opportunities. I was able to participate in various organizations involving religious and sorority life, intermurals and the global engagement study abroad program to Ghana. I was even able to sing the national anthem at my commencement ceremony. With all of these experiences, when I decided it was time for me to continue my education after being in the healthcare field, I knew I wanted to return to USI. The online bachelor of science in respiratory therapy option was a great fit for me. The coursework is flexible for professionals and parents with access to many of the same resources as attending classes on campus. The course material is presented in a variety of ways that appeals to different learning styles. A college education is more than learning skills for a job. It’s about learning how to balance being a mother, an employee and being successful on my online program. I am a testament to receiving sound, evidence based teaching from experienced professors at an institution dedicated to my success. USI has provided me with the knowledge and confidence to excel wherever I go. Back to you Alex.
– Tori, I can’t thank you enough for sharing your college experiences with us. Juggling family, work and educational commitments, what a role model you are for your son. From here there is no doubt you’ll continue to soar. Cheers.
This next student you’re about to meet, Mihir, over at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building, is an electrical engineering major from India. One of the cool things he’s doing as a freshman here is working in a research lab with a prominent professor. Wait until you hear what they’re working on. The U of I is a world renowned research institution. In fact, they’re number one in the country in university research funding from the National Science Foundation. And they have more than 150 labs, centers and institutes on campus devoted to research. And as an undergraduate student, you can get involved in that research enterprise right away. No matter what your major is. Mihir, you’re on.
Thanks Alex. Hi everybody. My entire life, I’ve been building things. As a kid growing up in India, I used to rummage through e-waste and scrap yards just to find enough parts for my next project. I learned how to weld from a guy who sits in a shack on the side of the road. Electricians in my neighborhood taught me everything I know about electricity. My projects as a kid started off as small flashlights but slowly, somehow turned into 3D printers and CNC machines in middle school. But all this time, I never thought it was anything more than just a hobby.
When the pandemic struck, I figured I could do something slightly more useful with my 3D printer, like making PPE. My dad shared with me an article about Illinois professors making an open source face shield design. I used these designs plans and instructions seven and a half thousand miles away in India to set up my own Illinois production line. We worked day and night and we had a thousand face shields. After the lockdown was over, I moved on to my biggest project yet, the terminator turbo. The terminator turbo is a robot that can disinfect entire rooms. And one single tweet about the terminator turbo changed my life completely.
Illinois ECE Professor, Lav Varshney picked up that tweet and has now become my mentor. He’s changed the way I think about my education, the way I think about my future, and he’s changed the way I think about myself. Professor Varshney has introduced me to more amazing faculty like Professor Abhijit Banerjee who I’m now doing research with. Professor Banerjee is making an electromagnetically activated spine. He is building an animal spine in a lab at Illinois. Even though I work with him every day, this just blows my mind. And that’s what I love about U of I, working in real labs with amazing equipment surrounded by amazing professors. Not the corner of my room, makes me learn so much more about my field than just inside my classes.
Not only that, but at U of I, my academic interests and my social life don’t have to be separate. Once I came to Champagne, I met Ben and Gabe. Ben and Gabe are from Champagne and showed me this amazing place. They also welcomed me with open arms to their family farm just 10 minutes away from campus. Not only do they have two extremely cute dogs that remind me of my little guy back home, they also happened to have a huge workshop. And every single weekend whether it be rummaging through Max’s auto recycling for parts or building our next disaster of a project, I spend every single weekend there doing what I love, surrounded by the people I love.
Going to UIUC isn’t just about showing up for classes. It’s about studying what you’re passionate about in the most amazing labs from the best professors in the world, surrounded by her soon to be lifelong friends and that’s what makes it possible to do anything at U of I. Every day this university makes me a better student, a better researcher and a better person. I want to be the best engineer that I can possibly be and I know you will be able to get me there. Thank you so much for letting me share my story. Back to you, Alex.
I am so inspired by all that you’ve already done Mihir. Now that you’re connected to such a major culture of innovation through the U of I, I can’t wait to see what you’re gonna accomplish next. Cheers my man.
Next, we have the privilege to meet the University of North Texas is president Neal Smatresk, who will tell us about how all the degrees at UNT are created with professional development and career readiness built-in. So UNT graduates are workforce ready, President Smatresk, please take it away.
– Hey, thanks Alex. And thanks to all of you for joining us today. You going to learn a little bit about our beautiful campus. And I want to tell you a little bit more. First of all, the University of North Texas is a contiki tour institution. It’s a research institution that brings cutting edge programming, education, research to all of you who come here. As a research one institution, we’re very concerned that you get the experiences that you need and our amazing campus. We have amazing events, great sports. We have a beautiful campus. We’re a tree campus and we’re a sustainable campus. So all of these things together create a great feeling for a our Mean Green Family. And I know that a lot of you, if you’re watching these shows are asking questions like, so what are the programs like? Well, we have over 200 degree programs that you can choose from. We’ve got something for everybody here. We have some of the top degree programs in the country. In fact, 88 of our programs are ranked in the top 100. We’ve got brilliant music, brilliant arts, brilliant humanities, brilliant business, great engineering and science programs. And I can go on. Hey, fun fact, since the Grammy started our alumni and our faculty have won 114 Grammy awards, kind of mind blowing, isn’t it? You know, a lot of people have questioned the value of a college experience. They say, do I need a degree to get a good job? I mean, after all, it’s a great market out there. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you get a college degree, you’re gonna earn more in your lifetime. You’re gonna to have a greater sense of wellbeing and you’re gonna be better adapted to a really rapidly changing job market. I mean the job market’s going nuts right now. We don’t even know what the jobs will be in the next 10 years. But what we’re dedicated to do is to help you answer a really important question. Is it worth going into debt to get a college degree and will my career outcome be solid? We;’re gonna change this unlike any other college I’ve heard of with a systemic program to help you develop as a professional. And I think that’s gonna be an edge that you’d really appreciate. We’re also gonna make sure you can write a resume. You can write a cover letter, you know how to interview, you know how to negotiate a salary. You’ve networked, maybe even get an internship. So all of these things together we believe will give you an edge, not just for the first job that you get, but for the many jobs that you might face in the future. Those new positions or something, we might not be able to prepare you for fully today, but we can make sure that you’re ready to understand and negotiate that changing future better than your peers. Our top value is caring. And what I want you to know is when you come here, we care about you. It’s a big campus with a lot of opportunity, but we feel like a little campus that can really take care of you. I’m really excited to see you. I hope you come visit. You’re gonna to love your trip here and your experience and what I wanna tell you all before I go is leave you with my three favorite words, Go Mean Green.
– Thank you, President Smatsek. That was fantastic. It’s great to know that UNT students are learning skills to secure the job as they’re earning their degree. Also, they can have the career of their dreams. That was great. Thanks again, president, Smatrek.
Okay, everyone I’d like to introduce Caleb Banks. He’s a junior economics major and part of the Marshall Eagles, which is a living learning community of young men who share interests in pursuing academic success. Caleb is gonna share his experience about UNT’s unique and diverse culture. Caleb, It is all yours.
– Thanks Alex, what’s up guys? I came to UNT because it’s close from home, but not too close. The campus was beautiful and they offered me an amazing scholarship package. I knew I wanted to get involved in a student organization, but I wasn’t sure why. A friend of mine was in the Marshall Eagles which is a program designed to help first year of black men get acclimated to campus both academically and socially, by placing you in a dorm with others who come from different backgrounds and experiences. And after that first meetup, I felt like this was the group for me. It was a sense of brotherhood and family amongst us Marshal Eagles. All of us working together, living together and supporting each other. The Marshall Eagle, living-learning community became my home. UNT is both a minority serving and Hispanic serving institution where you can truly shape your experience. No matter your race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. In addition to serving more than 2,700 international students from 138 countries, we have resources like the Multicultural Center and the Pride Alliance. We pride of ourselves on being an inclusive caring campus with a diverse student population that allows for you to find your family just like I did. If you’re looking for a university that supports its students and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive atmosphere, then UNT is the place for you. Back to you, Alex.
– Caleb, UNT’s community sounds like a place where no matter where you’re from, you’re family and with places like the Multicultural Center and Marshall Eagles, you can achieve your dreams right here, great story. Thanks a lot for that, Caleb.
Okay. Let’s meet Jared. Jared is a senior studying math and computer science with a minor in music technology. And he’s here to share with us his experience in the Clark honors college at the UO. Jared, please enlighten us all.
– Hey, thanks Alex. So when I started looking at schools, there were a lot of different paths that I wanted to pursue. I have widely varied interests, so it was important for me to find somewhere that I could take part in diverse and interdisciplinary study that reflects all of my passions. I am currently a math and computer science major with a minor in music technology. And I’m also enrolled in the Clark honors college. Taking classes in the honors college has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, as the small class sizes and intimate discussion-based lectures have allowed me to dive in deep into the topics that I’m passionate about. The opportunities that the honors college provides for engaging with course content on a deeper level have also been incredibly rewarding. And I’m extremely grateful for all my honors professors who have acted as both my advisors and guides throughout my academic career. The honors college has also been a really great resource for me in helping me to find additional scholarship funding and research opportunities. And I’m so grateful to be surrounded by so many fellow students who are equally as engaged and passionate about their fields of research. Speaking of research, research has been a huge part of my time at UO. It was actually what led me to find out about the accelerated master’s in computer and information science program and the reservation of graduate credit programs, both of which allow students to begin earning graduate credit during their undergrad careers. And with these programs, I plan to then continue on to pursue either my master’s or PhD in computer science. I’m really grateful for all the opportunities that UO and the honors college had provided me. And I think it’s been really great to see how no matter what your interests are, there’s always a way to combine the things you love to make something unique and new. So that’s all from me. Thanks Alex. Back to you.
– Thanks, Jared. It sounds like the honors college is a great choice for students who might be looking for that small college vibe, but with all the resources you can get from a large research university. Now honors students can connect with their professors, peers and find amazing academic opportunities just like Jared.
Okay everyone, I can’t wait for you to meet these students. We’re gonna head over to the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center to hear from Kennedy. Who’s a sophomore on a pre-med track in the College of Applied Health Sciences. She’s so impressive in so many ways including her level of involvement on campus. There are well over 1000 student groups here, everything from academic and athletic to cultural and just plain social. And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’re empowered to start your own official group. As you’ll hear from Kennedy, that’s exactly what she did. Kennedy, please take it away.
Hi everyone. As a first-generation college student I didn’t really know what to expect when my family moved me to campus my freshman year. One of the best things about my first week on campus was Quad Day. Quad Day is where hundreds of registered student organizations set up tables across the main quad to invite people to join. There’s really something for everyone from ultimate Frisbee, to volunteer opportunities, to creative writing. Seeing all of the possibilities inspired me to start an organization that I saw a need for on campus, a pre-med mentoring organization.
Many people assume that pre-med students personally know a doctor or have doctors in their family. For a lot of people including myself, this isn’t the case. I was telling a friend this as we we’re leaving Quad Day and he said that I should start an organization. So, I did. Months later, my small idea turned into an official registered student organization called Mentors in Medicine. We help pre-med students get exposure to medicine through research, volunteering, and mentoring. Some of the other organizations I’ve been involved in have had a huge impact on my college experience. My freshman year, I quickly got involved with two of the culture houses on campus, the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center or the BNAACC and La Casa Cultural Latina.
One of my favorite memories is the Annual Black and Latino Woman Summit. This summit consists of different sessions surrounding wellness, academic success and preparing for our future careers. This was an incredible experience because I was able to connect with different students and faculty and talk about critical issues and how to be allies for one another. I grew up in a neighborhood in Chicago where most of my peers don’t even consider college as an option and I wanna do whatever I can to help change those perceptions. As a student here, I advocate for increased college enrollment and retention as an ambassador for the Office of Minority Student Affairs.
I am also a resident advisor with university housing. I love being a Resident Advisor because I’m able to guide students in their transition to Illinois by really connecting with them and being a resource. The residents on my floor are all friends and it’s a really welcoming community. It has meant everything to me to be able to help other first year, first-generation and historically underrepresented students.
After I graduate, I plan on attending medical school and becoming a family medicine physician. I want to serve underrepresented minority populations in Chicago to eliminate healthcare disparities and ultimately improve the healthcare field. The University of Illinois has prepared me academically with the rigorous science courses and interdisciplinary curriculum, and socially with the culturally diverse organizations that I’m a part of. Well, that’s just a small piece of my story here at U of I. Thank you for having me share it. Back to you, Alex.
Thanks for sharing your story Kennedy. It’s really inspiring because it’s never just about you. You’re always looking for ways to include and help others, which is what involvement and inclusion are all about here on campus. Thanks for sharing. Bye, Kennedy.
Okay everyone, let’s meet Izzy. She’s a senior studying education with a minor in special education. She is here at the Moss street children’s center to talk to us about her aspirations for becoming a teacher.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi everyone. As long as I can remember, I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher. I come from a very long line of educators. Before I was even in kindergarten I often spent the day in my grandmother’s second grade classroom. I grew up cheering for the ducks alongside my alumni fathers. The University of Oregon was at the top of my list when I began my college search process. I was so happy to find out that we’re home to one of the most highly ranked education programs in the country. Our education program is ranked top six among public universities. Our special education program is ranked top three and as a college of education, we are one of the top research institutions in the country. Research and hands-on experience are at the core of our program. Research methods, models, curriculum and assessment tools that were developed by the UOs college of education are used in more than 29,000 schools internationally. It’s such a surreal experience to read about research in my textbooks and see that it was developed right here by professors that I see in the classroom every single day. One of the best things about the University of Oregon is how we have all the resources of a larger university while still maintaining the sense of community that you find at smaller universities. From field study to our school spirit, the possibilities here at UO are endless. The hands on experience that I’ve gained here, especially working remotely with youth has helped prepare me for the future. Not only to enter a master’s program and obtain my teaching license, but to have a classroom of my own one day. There is nowhere in the world that I would have rather made my nest than right here at the University of Oregon. That’s all from me. Throwing it back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Izzy. What a great story. I’m sure that students will be proud to call you their teacher someday. Thank you for sharing a bit of that dream with us. Good luck after graduation.
Next up we have Jeremy. He is in his last year studying journalism and media studies here at the UO, and he just got back in town after studying in Ghana for the summer. A true storyteller by nature, Jeremy is ready to share some of his journey through photography.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. My path to UO has been a long and wild ride. I’d work hard after high school before I decided to be a journalist. And I worked at community college before transferring to the University of Oregon. Being a transfer student, I wasn’t sure how I would fit in, but I made friends, enjoyed all my classes and put in the hard work I needed to chase my dreams. My professors at the University of Oregon and the school of journalism and communication keep me on track and push me. They connected me with other professors, helped me enroll in classes and provided me with the tools I needed to keep moving forward. As an SRJC student, you’re always working from one project to the next, either by yourself, with the professor or in a group. You have access to the Jay cage filled with equipment that you will need to tell any story that you want to tell. And you’ve got access to the writing web 24/7, where I, and a lot of students spend plenty of time grinding on our projects. If you want some on the job experience with the student publications, you can get involved with magazine, Ethos, the Daily Emerald, Duck TV, Science and Memory or Media in Ghana, to name a few. I got a ton of hands on experience and adventure and built my portfolio with the programs here at the University of Oregon. No matter what major you choose, you’ll find people with the same passion for what they’re doing as you do. I’ve been traveling, doing my dream job, telling stories with people who truly love what they do. I’m proud to be an SRJC student and work among such an amazing group of people. Hope to see you around campus. Back to you, Alex.
– They say pictures are worth a thousand words. Jeremy, your camera has created a novel. Thank you for sharing those experiences with us and for showing potential ducks out there that the UO can help them tell their stories as well.
Up next is Natasha. She’s a senior studying public relations with a minor in sports business. Natasha is a huge sports fan and she is here to tell you about athletics on the UO campus. She’s at Hayward field, one of the world’s finest track and field venues and the birthplace of Nike innovation. Natasha, ready, set, go.
– Thanks, Alex. What’s up y’all. I’ve been a huge sports fan my entire life. I knew I absolutely had to attend to college with great teams and an amazing sports atmosphere. I knew the University of Oregon would be exciting to attend as a fan, but also as a student, hoping to work in the sports industry UO is constantly ranked one of the best in the nation in football, men’s and women’s basketball, track and field and softball, just to name a few. Every sporting event is an opportunity for fun, lifelong memories. I’m an intern with our athletic department, where I gained firsthand experience in sports operations. Our nationally recognized teams provide us the opportunity to work behind the scenes and support our athletic programs. UO has world-class facilities and uniforms for every sport. Our wide range of sports success gives us an entire year packed with incredible games and events. At Oregon, you not only have the greatest excitement as a fan, but you also learn from unique sports internships that can only happen here. The University of Oregon is the place to be for college sports. Whether I’m walking across the bridge to Austin for a football game, or I’m working the Olympic trials at Hayward field with my fellow interns, there is always sports to see and ducks to cheer on. Oregon athletics are by far one of the best in the country. Our ducks find success in numerous sports and give us the greatest year round fan experience. I’ve been able to further my interest in sports and explore new career paths while working for our exceptional athletic programs. The University of Oregon is the place to be for every game day for any sport. Go ducks. Back to you, Alex.
– Natasha, that was great. I’m glad sports lovers like you get to have fun rooting for the ducks and finding careers in athletics. I’ll definitely have to check out the next big game on campus. The student athletes are knocking it out of the park here. That was fantastic.
Up next is Connor, a junior studying product design. He’s here to show us why the UO school of design isn’t your average place to unleash your creativity. Connor, please paint us a picture of what it’s all about.
– Hey folks. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved designing and assembling things. From building Legos in my room as a kid, to going on to discover woodworking in my dad’s shop, this sort of hands-on creativity is what I wanted to structure my career around. When choosing a college, there are a few different things I was looking for. I wanted that big school experience without feeling like just another number, a field of study that combined my interests an active student body, elite sports teams and a nationally recognized school. After narrowing down my search, it was clear that University of Oregon fit the bill. I chose to major in product design because it’s a good balance between engineering and design and for the exposure it gave me to 3D modeling and digital media production. There are many other areas of study within the UO college of design, such as art and tech, public administration, architecture and art history just to name a few. If you want a more hands-on opportunity to practice and learn, the UO offers many student jobs in a variety of fields. I chose to work as a videographer for the UO strategic communications department, as well as the motion graphics intern for UO athletics. Both jobs have major crossover with product design and have been incredible eye opening experiences that have accelerated my learning in the field. The biggest benefit of going to the UO is that there are many ways to learn who and what you want to become while in college. And you’re guaranteed to meet other people with interests similar to yours. That’s it for me, stay classy, Alex.
– Incredible, Connor. From art and tech to public administration, you have really spread your wings and expanded all of our vision of what it means to be a design student. For a truly hands-on experience, this school definitely has a ton to offer. Thanks again, Connor.