Now, let’s meet Will. Will is part of Sam Houston’s top-notch school of nursing, which trains its students for lifelong careers in healthcare, but more importantly is compassionate care. As a student nurse, Will goes above and beyond balancing demands of this accredited program with involvement in student organizations and how that has shaped his experience here at Sam Houston State University. Will, you are on.
– Thanks Alex. Hey there, my name’s Will Kinch. And my time at Sam Houston State University has been full of great opportunities. I’ve been involved on campus as the president of the Theta new chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. I’ve been the president of the Order of Omega great honor society, a two term vice president of the NAACP. I’m a member of the honors college. And today I’m a student in our school of nursing. When I saw Sam Houston State in Huntsville campus for my nursing school prerequisites, I was nervous. I only knew two people. However, I understood that attending a college where I didn’t know many people could be refreshing and it could give myself an opportunity for growth and even reinvent myself if that’s what I wanted to do. That being said, I knew that there was gonna be challenges I would face as a minority student. I quickly felt welcomed by the Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs. They helped me find organizations that I could join in which I would thrive and where I could be heard. This was extremely important to me because I knew I wanted to leave my mark on SHSU. Being a part of different organizations has allowed for me and along with other students, the opportunity to meet with the administration on ways to make a positive change on campus for minority students. As I stated before, I am a proud student of our School of Nursing. Our program is extremely competitive and rigorous. That being said, I didn’t get in the first time, I got a denial email. So what I did was I went back and I retook a couple of classes. I even got my CNA license to make myself a more competitive applicant. This happens to a lot of students. But it can serve as motivation, and it’s gonna make it all the more worthwhile in the end when you get your degree. Through hard work and dedication, I not only got accepted, but I’ve been the student representative for my cohort since I was admitted. I’m incredibly grateful for the number of open labs that our program offers so that we can have as much time as possible to practice and hone our skills. As a minority male, I understand I have the opportunity to set an example for and lead others toward the profession of nursing, which is something that I personally take very seriously. Sam Houston has awarded me so many different opportunities and I’m excited to see others from my organizations following my footsteps. I wanna continue to advocate in service of my community around me as I’ve been able to do here so far. Thank you so much for allowing me to share my story. Now, back to you, Alex.
– Will, thank you for sharing your experience and involvement in campus organizations here at Sam Houston State University. With your passion for nursing and perseverance, I know you’re an inspiration to others. Well, thanks again for that.
Here at Sacred Heart, they have the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, which is the literal and spiritual center of campus. The chapel is a place for all students to gather, regardless of their religious background and identity. SHU accommodate students of all faiths and encourages its students to learn more about the world around them. Sydney from the Isabelle Farrington College of Education is at the chapel to tell us more about SHU’s mission, and spirit, take it away.
– Hi everyone. When it comes to Sacred Heart University, there’s truly an endless amount of great things that I can say. Whether it is the consistently cheerful environment, to their numerous ways to get involved on campus. Going into my junior year undergraduate experience, I feel that I’ve been extremely immersed in Sacred Heart culture. I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world while doing community service, join a D-1 collegiate level rowing team, be a part of the black Student Union, and be accepted into the masters program here at sacred Heart. During my freshman year, I participated in a pre-fall known as Community Connections. We engage in community service projects around the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and personally helped me to fall in love with the city, as well as learn more about critical topics, such as poverty, race and social justice. I came to Sacred Heart because I wanted to pursue a degree in elementary education and it has exceeded my expectations with amazing professors and advisors guiding me along my journey. Through this program, we work with the local middle school, assisting sixth through eighth graders with their homework after school. This was my first year with a mentee and it was both a learning experience as well as a fun experience. It definitely helped me to further my confidence when working with children. This year, I am thrilled to be stepping into the role of vice-president of Sacred Heart’s Black Student Union. Our Black Student Union is fairly new, only having been active for about two years. As one of my close friends and I are now in charge, we are both excited to be taking part of effective change here on campus. As of last year, our school opened the multicultural center and we are all ecstatic to be utilizing the space for BSU events. Coming to Sacred Heart was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The school welcomed me as well as challenged me to go to new heights. I have made lifetime friends and established meaningful relationships with the staff here. I know that while studying at Sacred Heart, I’ll be thoroughly prepared for whatever future path I may take. That’s my story, back to you, Alex.
– That was fantastic, thank you, Sydney and best of luck as you study to become a teacher, your students are lucky to have you. I also just heard that annually, SHU students, faculty and staff dedicate more 100,000 hours of community engagement, both locally and internationally. Wow, that is amazing, take care.
The SHU community is made up of students, faculty, staff, local businesses and the university’s neighbors. Here, there is an energy that just welcomes you. This campus community is known for holding doors and lending a hand. On the upper quad, I’ve got my friend Deandre here to tell us a little more about this incredible community.
– Hey Alex, I wanna talk a little bit about home and community here at Sacred Heart. Coming from Atlanta, Georgia, I never even heard of Sacred Heart, let alone think I’d be going up North to play football. So, at the end of my postgraduate year, I received a scholarship offer from Sacred Heart. I wasn’t sure about it at first because of how small the school was. My parents trusted me that, I wanted it to be small, so I don’t get lost in the shuffle. The entire coaching staff made me feel as if, even with me being so far away from home, it wouldn’t be a problem because of the home atmosphere SHU brings. I was different from most kids who wanted to be close to home, I prefer to be far away. I wanted to go off and start my own legacy in a sense. My dad would always tell me, “You’ve been here your whole life, “well start something new.” So, that’s what I did. As soon as I stepped on campus, my freshman year, the love I was getting from everybody was unmatched. Through my three years here, I’ve been blessed just with so many different people that will last a lifetime, I’m talking outside of football ’cause those will be my guys forever. I realized how genuine my friends were from here when my dad passed away last year. If anyone has ever lost a parent, they know how dark that moment can be. You could see that some people are actually down for you, and that feeling makes you run through a wall for them. And some of my housemates, teammates, and some of my best friends from here were the reason I kept going hard every day. You make SHU feel like home to me. I want you guys to meet one of my best friends from here who makes SHU feel like home to me, Big Red, team mascot. Back to you, Alex.
– Deandre, thank you for sharing your story and inspiring words of courage with us. You show us what type of people you find here at Sacred Heart. Great job, thanks again for that.
Let’s head over to The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, where junior Lex is waiting for us. She’s an Exercise Science major, but is one of many students here that have chased their passion for the arts inside this beautiful on-campus facility. Lex, please tell us all about it.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. I was born in China and adopted by a transracial family in the Midwest. During my college search, there were tons of boxes I wanted to be checked off from my first venture away from home. D1 school, great academic programs, diverse set of majors, a big marching band, lots of events, and awesome school spirit. I would heavily consider at SDSU the melting pot of diversity, both in the people and the things to do here. As an Exercise Science major I knew that I wanted to be learning about the sciences, but also keep my hobbies intact while navigating college. SDSU added the performing arts living learning community my freshman year and this way I could be living with people who had the same hobbies as I did, while taking classes with set of students with the same aspirations. Here, I lived and breathed music and the performing arts with my floor mates by utilizing study rooms for practicing, listening to music, and jamming out. I was able to march with the Pride of the Dakotas my first two years on campus and participate in programs like drag shows, variety shows, and individually with talent shows. The neatest perk about being an SDSU student is that you don’t necessarily need to be a performing arts major to utilize the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center or join groups on campus. The schedules for our choirs, marching band, theater, and dance give students the ability to join if they’d like. Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure that there is a space, no matter what you’re looking for. We are also a regional hub for theater and offer competitive programs in music and the performing arts. As you can see, students always have a way to keep their passions alive here. The ability to be an active participant in multiple activities while receiving my education is one of the best things that make our college great. I’m so glad that I chose the Brookings community and South Dakota State University to be my home, and I hope you do too. Throwing it back to you, Alex.
– Lex, we love to see students shine under the bright lights while enjoying something they love. Better yet, having you show us a place where the fine arts can live and thrive is absolutely fantastic. Thanks for investing in this campus to make it better, Lex. Cheers.
Let’s meet Parker, a senior from Owatonna, Minnesota, who is majoring in Precision Agriculture with a minor in Agronomy. Being the first university in the nation to offer both a major and minor in precision agriculture, SDSU has doubled down on leading the future of sustainable agriculture with the opening of the Raven Precision Agriculture Center on campus. Parker, we’re ready for you.
– Thanks Alex. Hello, y’all. I always knew I wanted to go into agriculture as it was a way to help get back to a more sustainable planet, to help feed the world, and to be on the cutting edge of technology. I love the feel of SDSU as it is a large campus of 12,000 students, with a small town feel where everyone is kind, willing to help, and provide guidance as a way to keep you from getting overwhelmed. The Brookings community becomes home to students quickly, as there’s never a lack of hunting and fishing and outdoor things to do in the surrounding areas. Like the state motto says, “great faces, great places.” There are so many things to do and people to see that it is worth a trip out here to see the Black Hills and to learn about the history that makes South Dakota so great. One of the most impressive facilities SDSU has built in the recent years has been the Raven Precision Ag Center. This center combines agronomy, engineering, and advanced technology. I’m so excited to see the innovation that comes out of this building for the future of autonomous technology, to the advances in soil science that will have brought more sustainability to the world and agriculture. We are leading the next generation of agriculture at SDSU. With being a first generation college student in my family, I really had no idea what impact SCSU would have on my life, let alone a four year degree, but coming into SDSU has shown me so much from the community and how you can bring so many people together, to the amount of applicable education that I am being given with all the hands-on experience. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. SDSU has given me opportunities I never would have imagined. That’s a glimpse of my story, so I’ll hand it right back to you, Alex.
– That’s a great story, Parker. The value of a four year degree is so important. And it’s great to hear about you making the most of the opportunities here at SDSU. Thanks again for sharing your story. Take care.
Okay, let’s meet up with Dominique. She’s a busy lady, double majoring in psychology and criminal justice with a minor in legal studies. She’s also the Black Student Union president and is using her voice to make a difference on campus. Let’s learn more about diversity at SUU with Dominique. Please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. I’m originally from the Bay Area, but I grew up in Las Vegas. So naturally, moving to Southern Utah for college was a major culture shock. I made the decision to come to SUU because of its proximity to my home, it’s affordability, and scholarship opportunities. Like many college students, I wasn’t sure if I had any friends or access to people from different backgrounds. To my surprise, I found that SUU has a culture that promotes diversity and allows students to be a part of that work. Throughout my time at SUU, I’ve been able to give my input about SUU’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. SUU actively proves it’s commitment to diversity through listening to critical feedback and utilizing lessons to improve. I’ve had meetings with the mayor, Cedar City, the university president, and other members of SUU’s administration. A major campus resource for DEI efforts is The Center for Diversity and Inclusion. The CDI houses nine clubs, including the Black Student Union, which I’m proud to be the president of. Initially, I did not want the responsibility of being club president. I prefer just lending a hand in the background, but stepping up into this position really showed me what I’m capable of. The leadership opportunities that I’ve held here have taught me delegation, collaboration, service, and so much more. The CDI offers resources to students from marginalized backgrounds, like career counseling, academic advising, scholarships, financial aid, mentorship, and even study abroad trips. Above all, my favorite part about the CDI is the relationships that I’ve built. In 2019, a group of us traveled to Chiapas, Mexico for a life-changing week-long cultural immersion trip. We visited culturally significant places like Palenque, met with committee members from the Afro-Latino and indigenous communities, and planted a community garden as a service project. Just being able to have the opportunity to leave the country and experience new things is something I can’t fully describe. Sometimes conversations about DEI issues are uncomfortable or difficult, but they are vital. Don’t shy away from being involved in pushing for change. I’ve seen so much growth and progress, not only in myself, but also at the university. To be able to see the integration of diversity and ongoing trainings curriculum, and a commitment to improvement is so fulfilling. You matter here and have a voice at SUU. SUU will listen and continue to work towards building a more diverse and inclusive campus. Alex, back to you.
– Wow, Dominique, you are doing some incredibly important work here at SUU. It’s clear, SUU is working hard to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Thank you for opening up and sharing your story Dominique. We really appreciate it, take care.
Now being a T-Bird means you’re joining a campus that cares. SUU students have volunteered for more than 200,000 community service hours, allowing students to serve, learn, gain experience, and ultimately make a difference. And there’s no one better to talk about SUU’s caring campus community than computer science major, and chemistry minor Skyler Clark. You are on Skyler.
– Thanks Alex, what’s up guys. Attending SUU is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I grew up in a low income family. And often we required financial assistance to get by. Opportunity was made possible for me, thanks to the kindness of others, and naturally I developed a desire to pay that kindness forward. And it wasn’t til my brother went through detox for a severe alcohol dependency that I realized becoming a doctor was the best chance for me to reach that goal. I then asked a surgeon on advice, where to start this journey. And he promptly told me to attend Southern Utah University. I was immediately sought out by advisors and student leaders who wanted to ensure that I was succeeding, not just academically, but also emotionally, socially, and mentally. This had a profound impact on me to the point where I later volunteered to be a freshmen orientation leader myself. One of the great things about SUU is that over 40% of our clubs are classified as service-based organizations. For the last two years, I have been the , or big brother, for alpha Phi, one of our Greek communities. The sisters at alpha Phi, spend significant time and efforts in philanthropy and service. Their annual red dress events raises thousands of dollars for women’s heart health. Both on and off campus students at SUU are getting involved. For example, I volunteer for the nonprofit Needs Beyond a Medicine where we help Utah based cancer patients pay for their nonmedical expenses. We also host regular seminars all across the state where we discuss the various aspects of cancer prevention. Through these opportunities of service, I’ve recognized that I’ve changed during my time at SUU. Students and faculty at SUU prioritize cooperation and collaboration rather than competition. I became a tutor for organic chemistry after being inspired by the tutor who helped me to pass the class. Additionally, after being accepted into medical school, I hosted a free workshop where I helped other pre-med students prepare their own application. All of these things were made possible, thanks to the support and encouragement of SUU’s faculty members. It’s just the SUU way. For my computer science capstone project, I created an algorithm that can look at any chest x-ray and determine whether or not that individual has COVID-19 with a greater accuracy than that of a trained physician. All of my classmates, regardless of their own goals, assisted me in completing this life-saving technology. Being a T-Bird has prepared me to one day be the type of doctor that doesn’t just care for people, but cares about them. Similar to the type of doctor who allowed my brother to have a second chance. That’s my story Alex, back to you.
– Skyler, you’re an absolute rock star. Thank you for paying kindness forward and selflessly serving others. You’re gonna make an amazing doctor someday. You are a force to be reckoned with my man, and we appreciate you opening up and sharing your story. Thanks again Skyler.
Next we’re meeting up with Jordan at the Southern Utah Museum of Art, which is part of the Beverly Center at SUU. Also home to the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Jordan is working on his master’s of fine arts in arts administration which blends his passion for the arts with professional business skills, preparing him for a future career. Jordan it’s all yours.
– Thanks Alex. I first came to Cedar City to work a contract at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. While working at the festival, I had an amazing opportunity to participate in an educational tour where we offered to all of Utah’s public district high schools, performances of a play addressing mental health, suicide ideation, and the importance of openly discussing depression, mental illness, and suicide. Heavy, I know, but it was an impactful experience. During that time I worked alongside graduate students in SUU’s arts administration program. I watched as they worked in professional arts organizations, gaining crucial experience while also earning their master’s degrees. I was intrigued, I decided to apply and was quickly accepted into the program. I never thought I would end up at SUU, but I’m grateful for the shift that brought me here and for the opportunities that have come thus far. Currently, I have an assistantship in SUU’s institutional advancement office, where I help fundraising and development staff meet with potential funders, plan events, raise money, and build meaningful relationships with important state leaders and donors. This year, I had the privilege of attending Utah’s legislative session with SUU’s executive director of development and government relations, Donna Law. It was such an incredible opportunity to meet with different state legislators, watch committee hearings, and speak about the goals and needs of the university. I witnessed Donna’s mentorship about advocacy and stewardship, having direct applicability to a very important high stakes political arena. It was truly a unique experience that enhanced my career trajectory and marketable skills. I’ve also learned a lot by watching Donna’s ability to build relationships and network with people. My brain thinks in the ways of systems, patterns, and processes, so to be paired with a mentor who can teach me how to view the world from a different perspective, gives me an opportunity to stretch and grow beyond my comfort zone. She’s so proactive and interested in my success, always looking for ways to increase my responsibilities and ownership over my projects. It’s really reassuring to know that my work matters and has an impact on the university. Where I once focused exclusively on theater, I now have training in administration, higher education, politics, fundraising, and stewardship. All of these real-world experiences, in tandem with my coursework, have opened up new paths for my career. SUU’s focus on experiential education has led to my own personal growth, civic engagement, and professional excellence. I’m now prepared to take the next step in my professional career. No matter what your chosen field of study is, as an undergraduate or a graduate student, you’ll be given opportunities for professional advancement and excellence at SUU. Take it away, Alex.
– Thank you so much, Jordan. What an incredible opportunity it must be to work on campus and advocate for the arts in a political setting. You definitely will have the skills and competitive advantage for the job market. Cheers Jordan.
Sacred Heart prides itself on its commitment to innovation, after all, they are pioneers, that applies everywhere, the classroom, the athletic field and onstage, but the place you can find that the most is in the IDEA Lab. Please meet, Gabe, a computer engineering student from the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology who is here to tell us more, Gabe.
– Thanks, Alex. When I was applying to college, I wanted to choose a place that felt like my home away from home, but also inspired me to grow. Sacred Heart’s small class sizes compared to being in a big lecture hall, really pushed me to commit. SHU never stops at status quo, it teaches its students to lead and succeed. The world and its future is going to depend on young minds, bringing fresh takes, solutions and creative ideas. At Sacred Heart we take that seriously through having the right faculty and facilities for students to be at that front. For those of us who were interested, we came together to create what today has evolved into the IDEA Lab. IDEA standing for innovate, design, engineer, apply. It’s my favorite spot on campus where I’d spend most of my time working on projects, hanging with friends and training others in digital fabrication. The lab is equipped with machines ranging from 3D printers to an electronics area with an array of sensors, a characterization lab for performing your own biology and chemistry experiments and a textile room for embroidery, sewing and vinyl cutting. It’s staffed with experienced professionals and students like me who were there to help you to become self-sufficient in making your dreams a reality. There is truly no better feeling than seeing a project come to life and sharing that joy with the friends you made along the way. Drones are everywhere nowadays and the engineering program here at SHU really embraces the technology as a teaching tool. Students learn how to design the hardware and tune the software to get their drones up and flying. We’re lucky to have a Quanser Autonomous Vehicles Research Studio where students have the opportunity to learn how to program the drones and ground bots to complete tasks autonomously. SHU really pushes the idea of helping technology and business meld together by hosting events geared towards helping young entrepreneurs have the tools and resources that they need to drive their ideas forward and even onto shelves. Having the opportunity to work with passionate professors and mentors alongside other like-minded individuals really helped me to go out into the world. Well, that’s it for me, back to you, Alex.
– Thanks Gabe, for showing us around the IDEA Lab and telling us about your work. It’s such a great place to find students of all majors and it is full of opportunity. Great work, take care, Gabe.
Okay, so we’ve seen the campus and heard about classes, athletics, service but what about after graduation? Where will SHU take you? The university prepares students for post-college life with on-campus job fairs, internship opportunities and networking events with alumni. SHU’s Center for Career and Professional Development, help students with resume building, interview coaching and job and internship placement. Let’s head over to west campus to hear from Mary, an alumni of the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology who currently works at Reebok in Boston.
– Thanks Alex. Hi everyone, it feels amazing to be back here on campus. It feels like just yesterday I was a student and I know that if I had to do this all over again, I would definitely choose Sacred Heart for my college experience. I remember touring Sacred Heart as a high school senior and instantly getting an amazing feeling. Something about the campus, the student ambassadors, all the academic and extracurricular opportunities, it all just made me feel instantly at home and that SHU was really the college for me. I made my best friends, I got to study abroad and I was involved in countless campus clubs and activities. In the five years since graduating, Sacred Heart has remained a part of my life. Every year, my friends and I look forward to homecoming weekend and we even went on an alumni trip to Dingle Ireland in summer 2019. Professors keep in touch with students over the years and the skills I learned under their guidance really helped me get where I am today as a footwear product manager at Reebok headquarters in Boston. I love my job and I’ve been able to grow as a professional and individual there over the past five years. SHU truly cares about student’s success post-graduation. There’s a spirit of opportunity and a go-getter attitude throughout the university that you can just feel. Professors and staff encouraged us to go after any opportunity we could, whether it’s on campus, an internship, or even just a chat with a connection they may have. I remember giving a presentation at my internship and they were quite impressed with how I presented but that was something we did in class all the time. In the business school, internships are part of the curriculum and there are plenty of networking events, industry speakers and career prep opportunities available. All of these resources plus classes, shaped me into a well-rounded graduate who was ready to join the workforce. SHU’s career center is open to us for life even years after graduation, if we ever needed any support or assistance. I know that if I had to contact the career center, they would help me with whatever I need, whether that was resume help, career advice, job listings, contacts or more. My experiences at SHU were so diverse, rewarding, challenging and fun, which translated into my career. At work, I’m open to any new projects or opportunities that come my way. I look for solutions rather than focusing on problems and I can work with anyone. I thank SHU was so much for being such an integral part of my journey and I will always be a Pioneer. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Mary, that was absolutely fantastic. Now, how lucky was married to attend SHU, get such great exposure to her industry and get an awesome job.