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.
The University of Rhode Island is located in the southern village of Kingston. And it’s 14,572 students are able to explore the smallest state in the country while having some big adventures. Let’s go meet Brian, a senior secondary education and history double major who calls Rhode Island home. Brian is gonna show us how he takes advantage of everything the state has to offer, from the top of the state, down to the southern coast. Take it away, Brian.
– What’s going on, everyone? I’ve lived in Rhode Island most of my life. So I’ve spent a lot of my time exploring the most beautiful, entertaining and tastiest places that the state has to offer. This makes me a bit of an expert on everything Rhode Island. Going just beyond the borders of our extraordinary college town is a 25-minute drive to one of the most iconic places, Newport Rhode Island. I’ve spent countless days with my friends going to Newport to hike the seawall, taking the views on ocean drive with its iconic mansions, shopping on the wharf, or eating at one of the best restaurants right on the harbor like Diego’s. People travel from all over to see Newport and for good reason. While Southern Rhode Island is guaranteed to win you over, my favorite part about going to school here is how our campus is located just 30 minutes from our state’s capital, Providence. Providence is a city that prides itself on its amazing food, art, and the culture. When I come to Providence, I know I’m going to have an incredible experience. The best part about Providence is that it’s a city all about the people who love the place that they live. I love going to so many different spots like Federal Hill, Wickenden Street and Thayer Street, which are filled with authentic Italian food, food trucks, and amazing street food with local vendors. Spending a day in Providence can take you to so many different places, from spending a day shopping at the mall, going to art museums, catching a concert at The Strand, and exploring the ins and outs of the city. Well, I could probably go on for hours about living near the clear beaches of Narragansett or the perks of being 30 minutes from a beautiful city, I think the greatest part about going to school in Rhode Island is the fact that you can drive anywhere in the state in under an hour. Think about that. You’ll be only a short drive from some of the most interesting, unique, and beautiful places ever. This has great benefits for URI students for their academics and internships too. As an education major, looking to learn more about the process of working in an urban school setting, I have the resources to pick and work at nearly any school in the entire state. The ability to explore so many different towns all within an hour from campus is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. Living in Rhode Island and going to school in the ocean state has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And I’m looking forward to exploring it even more. Thanks so much and back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Brian. Being able to travel anywhere in the state in just a short amount of time is something that is really unique here to Rhode Island. Brian, you have definitely taken advantage of all the state has to offer. And it sounds like there’s still more left for you to explore. Have fun.
All right, everyone, let’s meet up with the one and only Tyler, a junior business administration major, you can find him showing off his moves on the court in the new Screaming Eagles arena. but even more impressive is his list of student organization involvement. Tyler, can’t wait to tell you about student life and all the opportunities to get involved. I’m throwing the ball to you Tyler.
– I appreciate the intro Alex. At the University of Southern Indiana, I’m a long way from home and that’s something I’ve always wanted to experience. Originally, I thought it’d be near impossible balancing my academic, athletic and social life. But once I set foot on campus, I found the resources and clubs that would help us be successful both in and outside the classroom. I’m part of the men’s basketball team and the president of the black student union on campus. I can tell you firsthand that the love from the students and fans all around the community is genuine and welcoming. From academics to service clubs to even Greek life, there’s something for all students on the campus. I’m even a part of the Authentically Me Natural Hair Club. You don’t have to be a collegiate athlete to be active at USI. At the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center There are countless ways to get active in the 100,000 square foot facility. You don’t wanna be inside, no problem. Check out a bike or hit one of the trails. There’s also intramural leagues to choose from to meet other people in break a sweat. They even offer a monthly Eagle perks program where students receive free or discounted tickets to activities all around the community. Last month was laser tag and trust me, we had a blast. Finally, my academics is way more than being in the classroom and studying for an exam. In the Romain College of Business we are connected to a network of business professionals within immunity. We are introduced to countless guest speakers across the country and even the world who are willing to share their stories and the steps that they have taken to reach their success. I’ve soaked up so much knowledge and built family caliber relationships while being at USI. Maybe you should try it too. That’s all I’ve got. Thanks Alex.
– Thank you Tyler for that glimpse of what it’s like to be a college athlete, but also proving it’s important to get involved and make a difference through the countless organizations on campus. I have a feeling your alma mater will be asking you to share your alumni success story in years to come. Carry on and cheers Tyler.
To tell us all about school spirit at USI our next student’s enthusiasm is contagious. Kaylee already earned her undergraduate degree here in public relations and advertising and minor in marketing and journalism and is now a graduate student pursuing a master of arts in communication. Kaylee, let’s hear all about it.
– Thanks Alex. You can ask anyone, I am one of the University of Southern Indiana’s biggest fans and always will be in or out of USI cheer uniform. I came to USI because of its campus size and close proximity to home not having any idea how significant an impact the university would have on both my time as an undergraduate and now graduate student. USI’s 4,800 seat Screaming Eagles arena is unreal. It’s a one of a kind feeling cheering on the Screaming Eagles to victory. But for me, the most special part was seeing the USI community come together to show off their Screagle Pride and support their teams. To look up into the sea of USI blue, red, and white at basketball games was one of my favorite things. The relationships made with coaches and teammates and representing the university are memories that I will cherish forever. USI has a proud athletic tradition with 10 individual and 14 national championships. We compete in 19 varsity sports, including newly added swimming and diving. With the addition of the new Screaming Eagles Complex and Aquatic Center, there is no doubt you’ll be hearing about success from our Screaming Eagles athletes for years to come. USI’s mascot, Archie is our head spirit ambassador. He’s often seen around campus and if you’re lucky, you might even catch one of his impressive dance moves Archie and his army of students Screaming Eagle fans are sure to bring Screagle Pride wherever they go. As I continue my time at USI completing my master’s degree in communications and serving as a graduate assistant in university communications, I remain a strong supporter of this institution. I am so proud of USI. The people and opportunities have given a steady foundation athletically and educationally to pursue my dreams. I can’t wait to see where I go from here. Go Screagles. Alex, back at ya.
– All right, Kaylee. I couldn’t resist. You inspired me to show my Screagle Pride. Thank you for sharing this Screaming Eagle history of fierce competition and impressive student and community’s support with us. Wherever your journey takes you, I know you’ll always be a Screaming Eagle at heart. Take care.
This next story might surprise you and is one you definitely don’t wanna miss. Senior and theater arts major Blake almost missed out on completing his degree here at the University of Southern Indiana. That is until they granted him a second chance as he learned a valuable life lesson. The spotlight is on you Blake.
– Thanks Alex. And nice shirt by the way. During high school I was involved in theater and I saw myself continuing after I graduated. So why would an aspiring actor choose to come to Indiana to attend college? Why not go to New York or California? My answer is simple. It was my destiny to come to the University of Southern Indiana. Things weren’t always peachy keen at first though. During my freshman year there was a unforeseen medical event in my family life and this caused me to fail all but one of my classes. And because of that I was put on academic probation and eventually I was academically dismissed. I was able to appeal this though and the university gave me a second chance. With that second chance, I was able to throw myself into the USI theater department. We have a wonderful acting teacher who has inspired us and has given us the best education possible. And he’s also just there to talk to us when we need someone to talk about everyday things, USI is all about opportunities and I was able to find a love for lighting in theater and I was eventually able to design a student-led production. Freshman year I was shy, academically unimpressive and antisocial. Senior year, I’m on the Dean’s list, I’m the secretary for the National Theater Honor Society APO and I’m an RA. It’s weird to think that my academic journey is almost at an end, but my USI faculty cares about my education and has done everything in their power to prepare me for the future. After graduation I plan on pursuing my dream as a voice actor and as a lighting designer. Thank you guys so much for taking the time to listen to my story. Alex, back to you my good sir.
– Right back at ya. Thank you for sharing your courageous personal story with us. There’s no doubt you made the right choice in USI and were right where you are supposed to be with the resources to make the absolute most of your second chance. Here’s to your future success Blake.
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.
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 this is exciting. We’re gonna head over and meet Grace. She’s a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in aerospace. She’s gonna tell us about the out-of-this world opportunities Utah State offers as a NASA space grant university, and some of the projects students are working on sending into space. Grace, take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Nearly everyone is interested in space as a kid, but for me that curiosity never really died, but I didn’t know that I could work in the aerospace industry until I got to Utah State. I’ve worked for big government corporations, a company that has launched a mission to every planet in the solar system, and now I work with small rocket startups. Utah State has a rich history in aerospace. Right down the street is Space Dynamics Laboratory, or SDL, which focuses on building space-ready components for government and commercial satellites. And many people from SDL come and talk to Utah State students to give us a better understanding about what’s going on in the aerospace industry. There are several groups on campus that focus on space-related projects. The university Rover Club competes in an international rover competition every year in Southern Utah. There’s also a research group that’s studying using plastic as rocket fuel. And Utah State’s Getaway Special Team has been working for the past two years on a satellite that’s expected to launch this fall as part of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative. This is the first time an undergrad-led team at Utah State has launched a satellite. Through clubs, such as the Society of Women in Engineering and the Engineering Council, I got to meet the lead scientist on a mission that is currently studying the sun. I got to fly to Florida to watch that mission launch with United Launch Alliance, and not even two years later, I got to intern with United Launch Alliance and work on their rocket, the Atlas V, which gave me the opportunity to sit in the Launch Control Center, and say go on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. The College of Engineering’s mentorship program gave me a really strong start to my freshman year. I also learned about a lot of student organizations and organizations such as the Brooke Owens Fellowship, which gave me my very first internship. Later, I was able to leave the mentorship program and pass that knowledge along to mentees of my own. Nothing feels better than helping people get to where they wanna be. And that’s the spirit of Utah State, and really, the biggest reason I had all of these amazing opportunities in the space industry. Thanks for listening to my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Grace, that was seriously impressive. Attending mission launches, and even sitting in the control room. And it’s awesome that you had such a great experience in the mentorship program, that you decided to become a mentor yourself. That’s awesome! Hats off and thanks again for sharing that.