Now let’s hear from Christin at the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences in downtown Evansville. The Stone Center, a multi-institutional facility specifically designed to create an academic experience that inspires the students to develop a collaborative approach to healthcare, which will prepare them better to serve the healthcare needs of the future. Christin is currently in her third and final year here, and will graduate in just a few months as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Take it away, “almost Dr.” Christin.
– Thanks, Alex. When I was a senior, I applied to about a dozen colleges, all with a direct entry physical therapy program. When I heard that at UE, I would have the opportunity to curate my undergraduate degree, study abroad, learn from exceptionally acclaimed clinicians, study in a leading edge facility, I was sold. UE met, matched, and exceeded my hopes and aspirations. I pursued a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Spanish and Exercise Science. This merge of my passions has continued to remain present in our Physical Therapy Program’s free outpatient physical therapy clinic, Ace Care. This clinic has an interdisciplinary approach, and includes students of many graduate and undergraduate majors, as well as includes Spanish speaking students so that we can talk directly with our patients to provide the best and most comfortable care. The best part, this clinic is entirely free to our patients, run by student-lead volunteers, and the only of its kind across the country. UE provides many pathways for healthcare careers. You can choose from several undergraduate degrees with direct entry, including nursing. UE has strong undergraduate degrees in biology, chemistry, and exercise science, which prepare students for graduate programs offered at UE and everything from medical and vet school. My UE experience has been exceptional. This university has not only set me up for success, but has encouraged me to seek growth, change, and excellence in all that I do. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Christin. It is amazing to hear about all the opportunities for majors in the health sciences from undergraduate through doctorate programs. The educational opportunities at UE really open up a lot of doors. Great job, Christin.
All right, everyone, let’s meet Aarsh, he’s a junior biology major on a pre-med track, but he’s also taking full advantage of UMBC’s amazing location, right between Baltimore and Washington, from entertainment to internships, sports and the entire Baltimore College down network at his fingertips, Aarsh has the inside scoop on everything the area has to offer. Aarsh, please take it away,
– Thanks for the introduction Alex. Growing up in India, I was always fascinated by Hollywood and especially the schools I saw on this big screen. I always had this dream of attending an American institute and experiencing the culture over there. In the fall of 2019, my dream came true. UMBC is nestled perfectly in the heart of the East Coast with a number of transportation options at our fingertip. We’re within a short distance of major cities, such as New York, Philadelphia and even the capital, Washington, DC. This makes it for a perfect spot for me. I have friends living in New York and I visit them every chance I get because it’s so easy to go to. I also love to visit DC and take photos with my friends there. In fact, I did a 25 year wedding anniversary photo shoot there during the Cherry Blossom Festival. As an international student, having the ability and the accessibility to visit such iconic places literally makes for a dream come true. In addition to such amazing places around UMBC, we are also in the center of a growing health economy, which provides plenty of opportunities for employment and internships. We are in the ideal location surrounded by some of the world’s biggest research institutes, which provides a great opportunity for many of our students here. Our region is perfect for fans of art, culture and sports and numerous other fun and fulfilling activities, not to mention a ton of other college students. UMBC really brings the world to you. No matter where you come from or what major you choose, or even if you come here as undecided, you’ll always find a home away from home here at UMBC. That’s it from me, take it away, Alex.
– Wow, thanks, Aarsh for showing us around the neighborhood. It’s amazing how many opportunities are within such easy reach of UMBC’s campuses in Baltimore and outside of DC. It’s hard to decide what to do first, best of luck explaining it all Aarsh, very well done, take care.
Next, we’re gonna catch up with Alex. Alex is a senior majoring in Sociology and minoring in Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies. They grew up a few hours away in Pullman, Washington, and they’re gonna share with us how they became involved in student government and Greek life at UM, Alex, over to you.
– From one Alex to another, hey, everyone, I’ve spent my college years getting involved and enjoying our campus community. Growing up, both my parents have PhDs. So they wanted me to focus on getting a positive college experience rather than one specific thing about a university. When I toured UM I felt so comfortable on campus and I liked all the social and academic options. So Montana became my new home. The first thing I wanted to do on campus was get involved in student government. I started as a student Senator and I had the opportunity to learn all about the inner workings here. I also became a member of Greek Life and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. UM is all about growing the students as people, both in and outside of the classroom and getting involved is a great way to do that. Through ASUM I learned about collaborations, civic duty, and how just one person can make really big changes. Through Greek life, I learned how to be a part of a community. We give back to both campus and Missoula through our philanthropy events, my house held events for the local humane society and my WCA. And I learned how good it feels to support a course you care about. With everything I’ve learned in my courses and through student government and Kappa. I know I’ll be successful after graduation. I’ve already made connections in fields I’m interested in and I’ve learned that I don’t have to focus on just one thing. I’m passionate about a lot of things, and I have the confidence to follow those passions wherever they lead me. I’m so happy I chose UM ,and I’m so excited to continue making the most out of my final year. What’s next, Alex?
– Alex, thank you for that passionate insight. At large flagship universities like UM, there are numerous opportunities to get involved. Student government and Greek Life are great ways for students to develop leadership skills while meeting new friends that can last a lifetime. Great job, Alex, take care.
Now we’re heading over to University of Montana law student, Alex, who came here for the exceptional program and fell in love with the campus life and the City of Missoula. He’s gonna tell us what it’s like to be a Griz. That’s what these students are known as, and give us our first view of life on campus.
– Thanks Alex, and love the name. So after finishing my undergraduate degree in Ohio, I moved out west and never looked back, surrounded by beautiful mountains and mere hours away from incredible national parks, Missoula is the perfect place to call home. Finding Missoula was a pure stroke of luck, situated midway between Yellowstone National Park, where I met my future wife and Glacier National Park, truly the most beautiful place in the lower 48. Missoula just made sense. And the fact that there’s a world-class university here just made it all the better. As the flagship university in the State of Montana, UM brings together students passionate about critical thinking, problem solving, social justice, hard sciences, and the arts, and provides a community where they can bond, learn and grow. And with alumni ranging from Montana Supreme Court justices to Senator Mike Mansfield, you can rest assured that your future goals are within reach with an education from the University of Montana. Being a part of the University of Montana community offers ample benefits like attending lectures, art exhibits, and nationally touring concerts. Hearing U.S Poet Laureate joy Harjo, read her own work in-person was as easy as walking across campus to hear her speak. Movies on the Oval, basketball games, local bands, it’s all happening here on the UM campus, thanks Alex, who’s next?
Thanks Alex, we are off to a great start finding the right place to pursue your goals is so important. It’s impressive that you can balance your law studies with the vibrant campus life and find time to enjoy all that Montana has to offer. That was fantastic, thanks again, Alex.
I don’t know about you, but this is the point in the episode where I start to get a little hungry. Luckily there’s no shortage of delicious, nutritious and sustainable food options at the University of Montana. Sophomore John is here to tell us more about the dining scene on campus and in Missoula.
– Thank you, Alex, what’s up everyone. Like many of you choosing a college was a tough decision for me, but in the end, the accolades earned by UM’s Business College convinced me to come to this beautiful campus. Of course, another attractive feature about UM and Missoula is the food scene. I have found so many great dining options, both on and off campus. The University Center Dining Hall has some of the most diverse food options, including my favorite big sky burgers. Off-campus my favorite lunch place is a Brazilian grill called Five On Black, which was actually started by UM alum. And for breakfast, my personal favorite is a little burrito shop called the Breakfast Club, which easily has my vote for best breakfast in Missoula. Another great thing about the university is its commitment to sustainability through the use of compostable dishware and an impressive garden. Each year we grow 3000 pounds of food, which we eat through university dining or our catering services. The best part is when we have more food than we need, we give it back to the community. And if you’re ever on campus, you have to come visit our gardens ducks. The two best ducks, in my opinion are poppy and duckobery fen. Let’s face it. You’re going to be spending a lot of time on campus and you need great food to fuel your studies and activities. While there are many great reasons to come to the University of Montana, the good food is just the icing on the cake. See what I did there, back to you, Alex.
– Good one, John, I’m impressed with the dining options on campus and the ways UM incorporate sustainability into their food service. And that’s also true of the restaurant scene here in Missoula, which I am loving by the way, especially that Brazilian grill. This is clearly a community that values delicious food and sustainable practices, thanks again.
All right, everyone. Let’s hear from Arthur. He’s a sophomore who is majoring in Sports Communication. He’s going to share how, starting as a freshman, he was able to already be on ESPN as a commentator for a Division One university. Let’s go, Aces! Take it away, Arthur.
– Hey, everyone. I’m so excited to talk to you about the sports programs at the University of Evansville. The Purple Aces play at the Division One level and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference. The MVC, or the Valley, as we like to say, is one of the top 10 major conferences in the country. Growing up, it was my dream to be on ESPN. I came to UE for the Sports Communication Major, but I also got an opportunity to be a part of the Fellow Scholars Program, which allows underrepresented students like myself to attend tuition free. At UE, students and staff broadcast Ace’s home sporting events on the Valley on ESPN, which is prominently featured on ESPN+ and ESPN3. This gives students the opportunity to direct, produce, and announce games. As a freshman, I jumped in and was able to be a part of the Purple Aces Production Crew. This gave me a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes and on camera. Evansville currently competes at 17 varsity sports at the Division One level. Being located in Indiana, we are most known for our basketball programs. Our men have won five national championships, while our women have competed in multiple Division One NCAA tournaments. While basketball is a huge deal on campus, each of our other sports have endured a great level of success. In the last year, we have won conference championships in women’s golf and track and field, while our other sports have built a strong foundation for an amazing future. I believe what surprised me the most was that I was able to come in my freshman year, be on stream, and a commentator. The program is truly top notch, and I am very excited for the future. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Arthur, for sharing your story. It is amazing, the opportunities that UE is able to offer their students. That was fantastic. Take care.
Okay, everyone. Let’s head to downtown Evansville to meet Robert. He is majoring in Ethics and Social Change, and is going to talk to us about being a UE change maker not just on campus, but in the city of Evansville. This city is a community that cares, and one that you can truly make a difference in. Okay, Robert, it’s all yours.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. The city of Evansville is a vibrant city located right here on our very own Ohio River. We have an absolutely amazing river walk, and our Main Street is chalked full of local restaurants and shops. And while there’s certainly plenty to do here in Evansville, as Indiana’s third largest city, my passion is for change-making and for making this city a better place. You see, Evansville truly is a collaborative community that’s just small enough that you can not only meet the mayor, but bounce ideas off of him and whoever else to impact change. I worked with both the city and the university in order to create an innovative downtown stormwater park to help clean our Ohio River. Through change-making, I’ve not only been able to continue to work on my project with full support from both the city and the university, but earn college credit in my very own customized ChangeLab course right here on the University of Evansville. With creative spaces like our ChangeLab incubator and professors from all practices so involved in our change-making, our campus truly is a home for the creative and change seekers. With classes dedicated to understanding ethics and social change and the core ingredients needed for innovation, I always feel prepared to take on my next big change-making project. I’ve worked with UE as a student and the city as a citizen, all while using our change forward campus as a home base to garner all the support I need to help clean the Ohio River that we call ours right here in Evansville. And thanks to UE, I know that no matter what city I’m in, I’ll always be on the lookout for the next challenge that needs changing. Back to you, Alex.
– Robert, thank you for sharing your change-making inspiration with us. I can’t wait to hear what amazing projects you have in store that will truly change the world. A big congrats on all your work and future accomplishments. Thanks again, Robert.
Now we’re gonna welcome Hannah who earned her undergraduate degree from UMBC and is now pursuing her masters in community leadership. With all that time spent as a Retriever, it’s no surprise that Hannah knows this place inside and out. And so she’s gonna share how best to take advantage of every experience, Hannah you’re up.
– Thanks, Alex. When I first came to UMBC I had no leadership experience whatsoever. Although I felt like I possessed the skills to be a leader in high school, I wasn’t pushed to achieve my full potential. That wasn’t the case at UMBC, after taking my first leadership position in the Persian Student Association, I met from all different areas of study. This led me to join Greek Life, to study abroad and to play club soccer. Working with Refugee Youth Project in Baltimore was the most fulfilling part of my college career. Through these activities, I was introduced to the Student Government Association and from there, my passion to make change motivated me to run for treasure and I won. This is where my connection to campus really exploded. I could walk into any classroom and know at least one person, whether that be student, faculty, or staff member. I expanded my network and had an incredible time doing so. I leveraged these connections my senior year to earn a part-time job as Program Assistant for Financial Literacy and Education. After graduation, I was offered a full-time position for financial literacy at UMBC. Using tuition remission, I’m able to complete my master’s degree in community leadership while staying connected to and serving the community that introduced me to my best friends and fostered an environment for my best memories. As my graduate studies come to an end, I will carry on a spirit of curiosity while pushing myself outside of my comfort zone as I continue my career in public service as a clinical psychologist, back to you, Alex.
– Amazing job, Hannah. It’s clear to see why you love being a Retriever so much. Thanks for giving us a peak at so many unique student clubs and orgs and inspiring everyone to get involved and explore every angle at UMBC, cheers.
Next up we’re heading to the labs in UMBC’s spectacular new Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building to meet Lauren, a senior biology major. She’s here to share a story about the mentorship she’s received as a student researcher and how that special faculty relationship has pushed her beyond what she thought she was capable of. It’s all yours, Lauren.
– Hey, thanks, Alex. For the longest time, I wasn’t sure where I was headed on my career path, I loved biology but I didn’t know what my options were or what my degree could let me pursue. I wasn’t aware of how many doors I could open for myself. It wasn’t until my second year here at UMBC when I started to discover my interests. I joined a research lab and got to know the professor I was working for Dr. Tamara Mendelson. She became a mentor for me and has been a strong influence and sense of encouragement while I’ve discovered my major’s possibilities. She has made me feel welcome in her lab at all times by introducing me to her colleagues and she continues to encourage me to apply to a number of different biology internships. In my most recent internship, I studied agricultural weed evolution presented my research, and now I’m on track to have my work published in a scientific paper, which is something I never could have imagined possible in my undergraduate experience. The professors and staff here at UMBC are all about mentorship, hands on research and helping their students to be the best that they can. To sum it all up, if you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t stress, here at UMBC research and career building is grounded and caring and encouraging student mentor relationships. With a little help you’ll discover your passion. Good luck you guys and back to you, Alex.
– What an amazing story, it was so cool to get a peek into what undergraduate research looks like at UMBC and to know how mentors can really make the difference. I love that you found your passion through that experience, Lauren, great job, take care.
Now we’re gonna hear from an inspiring UM student on how she combines dancing, research and academics to create a unique experience at UM. Andi does advance research and is a member of the UM dance team, which performs at Grizzly Athletic events. Take it away.
– Thanks Alex, hi y’all. Being born and raised in Montana, I have great love for the outdoors and the interconnectedness of the big sky state. When the time came for me to begin looking at schools, I knew I needed a combination of high quality education, fresh air, and a close knit community. Well, the University of Montana is the perfect fusion of these traits. The university and the state of Montana make quality education accessible in a beautiful area. I am honored with the distinction of Presidential Leadership Scholar class of 2024 and the Davidson Honors College. Through my honors section of genetics and evolution I was provided with the opportunity to join Dr. Douglas Emlen’s research lab on campus. While getting research experience as a freshman is nearly unheard of at most schools. It’s pretty common here at UM. in the Emlen lab, I am one of four undergraduates that study rhinoceros beetle behavior. Through individual projects, I have worked with cutting edge technology using techniques new to the science realm. This hands-on learning is applicable to many of my studies, now, and in my future. One of the many things that the University of Montana prides itself in is making sure it’s students are well-rounded. I’m a member of the University of Montana’s dance team, that cheers on the football, volleyball and both men’s and women’s basketball teams, Griz nation support runs wide and deep. It is a very special part of my University of Montana experience. No matter what you study or where you’re from, the university of Montana feels like home. The connections I continue to make with my peers and professors confirms that being on a Griz was the best decision for my future. That’s all I’ve got, back to you, Alex.
– Andy, that was amazing. Thank you for sharing all that you’re passionate about. And now I know what a rhino beetle is. It’s impressive, you have the opportunity to serve as undergraduate researcher in a nationally renowned biology lab while creating some serious Griz spirit in your community as a dancer. That was fantastic, take care, Andi.