You’ll hear a lot of students say The U feels like a family. For Samantha the overlap between the university and her family is quite literal. Family tradition may have peaked her interest in coming here, but she has forged her own path as a biology major and researcher. What’s your story, Samantha?
– Hey Alex, and welcome to The U. I come from a strong line of University of Utah alumni, starting with my grandpa back in the 1970s and my parents who met here. After my older sister, the torch of Utah’s spirit has been passed to me. Being a top tier one research university, I knew that wherever my education went, it was going to be one of the best in the nation. I’m extremely lucky to say that I have been placed in one of the prestigious research labs here on campus. I am currently working as an undergraduate researcher in the Dr. Michael Warner Lab, where we work in epigenetics, studying the molecular mechanisms behind phenotypic plasticity, which is essentially how genetic material can express itself differently based off of developmental conditions experienced. From the moment I interviewed with Dr. Warner, I knew that this was the place I wanted to work. He’s super engaging as a mentor to me and always make sure I have the support I need to use his research to forward me in my studies. I get the unique opportunity to lead my own project, focusing on the prevalence of diet and metabolism in this phenomena in tiny little microscopic worms called nematodes. As a biology major, I could have just learned the basic science and be sent on my way to a typical college. But the University of Utah focuses on how learning can be deeper than just simple knowledge and open incredible career starting opportunities for all of its students. Even those who are just starting out their journey like myself. I am definitely very lucky to go to such a beautiful school. Don’t you think Alex?
– I’m with you, Samantha. Your research in epigenetics sounds absolutely mind blowing, and I can’t believe you’re already leading your own project as a sophomore. It’s evident that The U not only supports you in gaining knowledge, but in creating and discovering it as well. Thank you very much for your contributions.
We’re gonna check in with Miles a sophomore from Roy, Utah. Even though he’s been at the University of Utah for a brief period of time, he’s already making the most of it. Not only for himself, but for incoming students as well. Tell us what you’ve been up to Miles.
– Thanks Alex. Hi everyone, after high school, the number one thing I wanted to do was get involved in college. So that way I could get more of that college experience. I’m so glad that I decided to start this next chapter of my life here at the University of Utah. As an orientation leader, the number one piece of advice I give to each new student is to get involved. Whether it be in Greek life, student government, the Union programming council, or intermural sports. There’s so many opportunities to find a sense of belonging, especially for new students. The Freshman Ambassador Board is a great way to get connected campus life. In fact, FAB helped me jumpstart my career in the Union programming council, now as an assistant director on the arts and special events board. I’m also a member of the red army practice squad for the women’s basketball team, where I got to help play and practice against the team to help them prepare for games. No matter what you like, there’s a place here for you at The U. I love being a student at the David Eccles School of Business, especially the business scholars program, where I’ve made so many great connections and mentors. The classes and professors give you a great space to take the knowledge you’ve learned in class and give it a real-world application. I’ve been able to start my own business, Royal Cakes, customizing sneakers. While hundreds of other students were able to start their own businesses here at The U as well. Regardless of your major class or interests, there’s an opportunity to get involved here at the University of Utah. We’re only here for a short time, so we may as well make the most of it, right, Alex?
– I couldn’t agree more Miles. With over 600 student organizations, how can you help but get involved at The U. It’s obvious that this place has a welcoming and engaging student body. We all really appreciate your insight. Take care. Utah is known for its deserts, but the university boasts three swimming pools and a 33 person hot tub on campus.
It’s now my pleasure to introduce you to Jenny. Jenny’s path to The U was pretty unique and she is living proof that it’s never too late to do what you love. Unless of course, you’re one of the dinosaurs she’s studying. Jenny, tell us about where you came from and where you are going.
– Thanks Alex and hello everyone. I knew that when I was ready to take the leap and change my career, I wanted to go to the University of Utah. I went from a background in fashion design, product development and art to geology and research. Growing up as a Utah native, I’ve had the most beautiful geology right here in my backyard. Because the University of Utah is a research facility, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from world-class researchers who are doing groundbreaking research and are extremely active in their field. For example, I’ve worked on a Zeiss microscope to image allosaurus bones and study how they grow for the Natural History Museum, which is right here on campus. I also studied ancient Roman shipwreck cargo to identify the origin of deposits and did top secret work for the Department of Energy. And if I told you, well, you know the drill. At the University of Utah, I’ve had a variety of experiences, from whipping up some blender code at a department, coffee hour, sending it over to the Marriott library, to the 3D printing lab. And the next day I could be out on the great Salt Lake kayaking with my girlfriends. I’ve learned inclusion skills through volunteering in civil rights and social action groups like Urge, unlearning racism in the geo-science to improve accessibility, justice, equality, diversity and inclusion. And I’ve made meaningful career connections to the local chapter of AEG, the Association of Environmental Geologists. Undergraduate research and campus involvement has given back 10 times and has made me competitive in the job market and for grad school. That’s it from me, back to you, Alex.
– Fascinating stuff, Jenny. Your research sounds incredible and I’m blown away by your willingness to find a new passion and go all in. Thanks for teaching us about your experience, studying geology and geographic information science. It is fascinating work. Thanks again.
Let’s talk to Kassie who hails from Chilchinbito, Arizona. A multidisciplinary design major and ethnic studies minor, Kassie is a member of the Dene tribe. She’s gonna share how her community back home has provided focus to her time here at The U. Take it away, Kassie.
Thanks Alex and hello everyone. I am so excited to share my experience as a first-generation Dene student. I grew up alongside my Dene peoples on the Navajo reservation. From my native community, we recognize higher education as a tool of empowerment and resiliency for future generations to come. I chose The U to stay connected to my indigenous community and to fulfill my mission as an indigenous designer to amplify my community’s knowledge and insight. I have found The U to be the best place where I can foster both my design research and community engagement. My job as a student is to listen to everyone’s voices and retell their stories as if they were telling their own. The skills I am learning from the design program, I apply and give back to my indigenous peoples. I have had the opportunity to perform for the United Nations Conference and become a native youth mentor with the Urban Indian Center in Salt Lake City, where I passed out my cultural knowledge to the next generation. I have danced at various events, such as the university’s inter tribal powwow held every spring right here, in the Student Union. The Inter-tribal Student Association, it became my university family, where we support and care for one another. We host many community events, such as the American Indian Woman Scholar pageant and game nights. Both the design program and The U have shown me the skills to be a good designer, but has also challenged me to think critically about ways to strengthen resiliency with my indigenous community, to create lasting impacts for future generations to come. And back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Kassie. We appreciate learning about your heritage and your exemplary leadership as a student and a community member. It’s amazing how you have combined critical thinking, cultural awareness and creativity into your designs. Thank you again for sharing that.
If you look east from lower campus, you’ll see the state-of-the-art University of Utah hospital and collection of health centers. The facilities are used to train future doctors and to serve the health needs of people from all over the state. Recent alumnus, Sonny, is gonna tell us a bit more about the opportunities for students seeking to work in the medical field.
– Thank you for the introduction Alex. Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be a physician. But I also wanted to do research to improve the quality of life of individuals. The biomedical engineering program at the University of Utah, set me up with a strong foothold as they prepare their students to solve real world problems in engineering and medicine. Starting freshman year, we are immersed in human biology and its implications on engineering principles. We learn anatomy and physiology from an engineering perspective. Through our capstone project, we were able to work with medical professionals to solve issues with current medical devices. The engineering department puts a huge focus on hands-on experience, as each student is required to participate in research in a lab and write a senior’s thesis. I had the amazing opportunity of working with Dr. Gregory Clark as his lab works the utilize electrodes implanted in peripheral nerves to reanimate paralyzed muscles and to control advanced prosthesis. The University of Utah’s commitment to groundbreaking research is shown through its investment in resources, inter departmental collaboration and by the ingenuity of its faculty. By providing opportunities for students to participate in research, the University of Utah shows its commitment to the future of its students. The University of Utah’s pre-health biomedical engineering and research programs have prepared me tremendously for the future. That’s all from me, Alex. Take it away.
– Thanks Sonny. Your research and the innovation that you bring to helping people live healthier, happier lives is incredible. We appreciate you sharing your story. Congratulations on your recent graduation and best wishes as you continue your path, helping others.
Let’s get to know Tayla, a third year student majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and pediatric clinical research. Tayla is gonna share how The U has supported her and other female identifying students as they pursue degrees and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It’s your turn Tayla.
– Being a first-generation college student, I worked extremely hard in high school and applied for many scholarships and the work paid off. Now I’m studying my passions of STEM and medicine. I attended many summer programs and events at the University of Utah and fell in love with the environment and support seen throughout the faculty and students. I had the opportunity to be a part of program ACCESS, a first-year program for incoming freshmen females, majoring in STEM, and for those who demonstrate a passion for it. Some of my favorite memories from the ACCESS summer experience were hiking and learning more about biological research, going to a star party late at night to gaze at the night sky and having guest speakers from each discipline at a Capstone debate where we applied our knowledge of what we learned from our summer experience. Aside from the STEM focus event, it was fun to go out, to eat with friends and as well as going the movies. From this experience, it helped strengthen my love for STEM and allowed me to have a support system of other like-minded and smart women in STEM. These fields continue to be male dominated, but access means you’re never alone. The university wants us to succeed. With the support of my peers around me and how willing the professors are wanting to help, I’m continuing to excel in my classes as well as having fun with my friends. Back to you, Alex.
– Appreciate it, Tayla. It sounds like you’ve struck the perfect balance between succeeding in rigorous coursework and enjoying the unique programs The U has to offer. Thank you for sharing your perspective with all of us and for reminding us to take the time to stop and gaze at the stars.
Now, let’s head over to the dance studio and meet up with Erin. She’s a first year honor student majoring in ballet and modern dance. She’s gonna share her story of her exceptional first year at TCU and the university’s ongoing work towards inclusive excellence. Erin, please take it away.
– Hi, everyone. I decided to come to TCU because of their amazing dance program. I visited the campus to audition for the school for classical and contemporary dance. And from the moment I stepped foot on campus, it felt like home. I was able to take class with some of the first year dance majors at the time, and everyone was so nice and welcoming, which immediately stood out to me. So far, my experience has been great. Coming from Georgia with no familiar faces, I was nervous to be in a new environment. However, I love how open everyone is to meet new people. And I never feel intimidated to make new friends because everyone is so inclusive and accepting. Whether you are relaxing in the lobby of your residence hall or standing in the line for a meal, there will always be someone willing to talk to you and make your day better from students to faculty and staff. I’ve had the privilege of co-starring in the Netflix original movie, Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square. It was such an honor to be able to dance, act, and see myself on the big screen. I hope to have many opportunities like that in the future. And I know TCU is a place to get me there. As an honor student, I’m so pleased with how engaging the classes are. The professors are so nice and they wanna communicate and get to know you on a personal level outside of class, which is great. This year, I had the opportunity to live in Milton Daniel Hall, the residence hall for honor students. The facility is gorgeous and it is such a comforting environment that encourages making connections with your peers while also placing a strong emphasis on academic excellence. One thing that I love about TCU is their efforts to make everyone feel welcome and included on campus. Bringing students from different countries and backgrounds together to find common ground, have a good time, and learn from one another is where TCU shines. There are events celebrating diverse voices and a diversity, equity, and inclusion course was added to the core curriculum. Students who wanna go deeper and broader can even major in areas like comparative race and ethnic studies or women and gender studies. Learning how to listen and discovering that we’re more alike than we are different is an intentional effort that TCU built into their student experience. You can’t leave this university without being better at understanding others’ perspectives. Lastly, because of TCU’s emphasis on student involvement, there’s a place for everyone. Overall, my first year at TCU has been great. I couldn’t have asked to be a part of a greater community than my Horned Frog family. That’s my story. Now, back to Alex.
– Erin, thank you for sharing your story. I love hearing about the welcoming campus culture and everything you’ve accomplished during your first year on campus. It’s truly incredible. Thanks again, Erin.
Okay, everyone. It’s time to meet Nand, an amazing international and transfer student who’s literally traveled the world to get to TCU. He’s a sophomore majoring in business information systems and finance with a minor in physics. And he’s gonna tell us about TCU’s entrepreneurial spirit. Nand, please take it away.
– Hello, everyone. So I was born in India and I lived there for a few years before moving to Zambia in Southern Africa. After finishing high school in Zambia, I really wanted to study abroad and move to America for college. I decided to move to a community college in Southern California. It was called Orange Coast College. And then it was time to transfer. I had a lot of friends who went to TCU and I started having conversations with them about my possibility of transferring to TCU. After talking to the admissions office and watching a lot of videos about TCU, I immediately fell in love with the campus. I mean, the school spirit on campus was just unimaginable. Everything was purple, purple boots, purple t-shirts, purple couches, purple flowers. This was something that I dreamt off as an international student in America to be a part of this great institution. During the admissions process, I learned that there are great counselors at TCU who were helping me throughout the entire financial aid process. After transferring to TCU, my journey in the US took a whole different route. I started as a physics major in college ’cause I thought that I was pretty good at math and physics in high school. But over time, I met so many students at TCU from all different parts of the world, studying so many interesting subjects. I immediately realized that being good at something in high school might not necessarily translate into a career. The second closest thing that I would see myself doing is business. I was always amazed by the American corporate world and always dreamt about working in one of those downtown skyscrapers. One day after my calculus class, I went to the business school to see what majors did they offer. I decided to switch my major to business information systems. I’ve been in the business school for the last one year and I’m loving it. We’re learning about real world issues and coming up with solutions of dealing with them. As future global leaders, I feel like it’s very important for us to learn about these issues in college and TCU does a really good job at preparing students for the future, regardless of their majors. With the help of different programs at the Neeley School of Business and my accounting professor’s referral, I was able to receive an internship at a private equity firm in San Diego. TCU’s alumni network is very powerful when it comes to finding job opportunities and just getting general mentorship about your career trajectory. I hope my experience helps you learn a little more about TCU. This campus is a home away from home, whether you’re from India or from Fort Worth. Thanks for letting me share my story. What’s next, Alex?
– Nand, I love it. What an amazing journey you’ve made to get here. Thanks for sharing your experience finding a new home right here on campus. We appreciate it, Nand.
Okay. So let’s meet Emily, a senior studying in strategic communication and psychology. Emily is the perfect person to tell you how far she’s come, not just to make her first visit to TCU, but to study and travel around the world, become a global citizen. Emily, let’s hear your story.
– Thanks, Alex. And hey, everyone. My time as a Horned Frog has been nothing short of fun, challenging, and an exciting experience. During my college search, I had a mental checklist of what I was looking forward of school, but no university seemed to check off everything on my list. That wasn’t until my older sister told me about TCU. It seemed to offer everything I was looking for so I decided to get over my fear of flying and travel to a campus 800 miles from my home in Georgia. After my visit, I knew this was a place I wanted to spend my next four years. So I made the best decision of my life and decided to call TCU my college home. TCU was truly a hidden gem. It has a small school setting with a big school field, not to mention, it had my ideal major, a Greek system, Horned Frog school spirit, club lacrosse, and most importantly, the opportunity to study abroad. I had the privilege of studying abroad with the Bob Schieffer College of Communications to Scotland and London over the summer. I had the most incredible immersive experience, taking classes relevant to my major while also incorporating a different cultural experience. I took a case studies class and all of our content and assignments were centered around the public affairs and current events of these two countries. This gave me the chance to learn more about the countries that I was visiting while also expanding my knowledge within my major. TCU emphasizes its students being ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community and my time abroad is a perfect reflection of that. Being able to step outside of the US, learn more about a different part of the world while also relating it back to my future career goals is definitely the highlight of my college experience. My friends and I got to go see the Edinburgh Castle and see the Crown Jewels, hiked to the top of Arthur’s Seat, see a Shakespearian show at the Globe, visit the University of Cambridge, and just fully immerse ourselves in the cultural experiences of Scotland and London. All of this culminated to the group of study abroad students becoming more than just classmates, but a strong group of friends that I will always value. I am so glad I got over my fear of flying to visit TCU. The school has allow me to grow as a global citizen with unforgettable experiences both on campus and around the world. I wish I had all day to tell you more about my time abroad as well as my time as a TCU student, but unfortunately I’m out of time, but thanks for letting me share a little bit of my story with you. Back to you, Alex.
– Emily, that was fantastic. I’m so glad you got over your fear of flying to make all those amazing memories. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences here in Fort Worth and around the world with all of us. Cheers, Emily.
It’s time to meet a Louisiana native. Lindsey is a senior at Tulane originally from New Iberia, Louisiana, and is a proud Cajun. She’s excited to talk to us about the amazing experience going to college in New Orleans can offer and how Tulane is working to bring more talented students from their home state to campus. Let’s go, Lindsay.
– Thanks Alex. Hey, y’all. I’m from a small Cajun town in southern Louisiana. So if there’s one thing I can confidently say, it’s that I know good food. Since being here, I’ve had the opportunity to explore the cuisine, culture, and community that makes the Big Easy feel like home. New Orleans has more restaurants than one could possibly try in the span of a college career. And I have an ever-evolving list of places to try before I leave. Here, food calls for celebration. Each year, Louisiana hosts over 400 festivals around the state. 130 of which are held in New Orleans. One you might have heard of is Mardi Gras, but there are countless other food festivals like Crawfest and and Mac and Cheese Fest. And Tulane’s location in uptown New Orleans is perfect, ’cause we’re close to the action, but not right by Bourbon Street. Part of what makes Tulane so unique is our location in Louisiana. To further commitment to our home state, Tulane launched a new program to support Louisiana students like me. Thanks to the “Louisiana Promise”, any resident under qualifying circumstances has the opportunity to graduate with no loans. On top of this, Tulane opened the Louisiana Center for College Access to provide free college readiness courses to aspiring first generation college students. As a tour guide, I get asked why I chose Tulane, a lot. What I answer instead is what I’ll miss about being a Tulanean. The random street car rides get beignets at midnight on a Tuesday, wondering if there’ll be a jazz band in our dining hall during football season, and the endless joy of being swept up by the food and music of the city. Alex, tell us more.
– Awesome job, Lindsey. You are a great ambassador for Louisiana. I love that Tula is working to keep more great students, like you, in state. And I can’t wait to come back and visit one of those food festivals sometime soon. That was awesome. Take care.