SHU is a division one school and offers 33 varsity sports, but don’t worry, if you’re not at that level, you can get involved in one of the university’s 36 club sports. SHU student athletes are known for keeping up their GPA’s and dedicating thousands of community service hours. Women’s ice hockey player, Sophie, who’s over at the William Pitt Athletic and Convocation Center is gonna tell you a little bit more about what it’s like being a student athlete and why she loves shredding the ice as a Pioneer, Sophie.
– Thank you, Alex. I’m so excited to be here and share my experience as a division one athlete here at Sacred Heart University. For as long as I’ve been able to walk, skating has always been a passion of mine. Growing up, my dad played and got me and my older siblings involved in hockey. Being the youngest, I was always trying to keep up with my siblings. I started playing hockey when I was three years old and from there I immediately fell in love with the sport. I played with all boys teams until the age of 13, played on girls travel teams, and then started a woman’s team at my high school. When I reached high school, I knew I wanted to take my game to the next step and play at the college level. By the end of my junior year, I committed to Sacred Heart University for my academics and athletics. On the first day of college, I immediately had 29 best friends. We spend endless hours together on and off the ice. The level from high school to college was a change at first, but all my training paid off. I learned to eat, sleep and breathe hockey all while balancing academics and a social life. My coach always tells me, academics is one and hockey is 1A. Playing on a team with 29 other student athletes who are just as passionate about hockey as I am is what makes our team so special. We all have the same angle, which is to win a NOHA championship and get a spot in the NCAA tournament. My coach has taught us to win and lose as a team together. My experiences at Sacred Heart University have given me a great education, immediate best friends and an athletic career that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My experiences are also going to give me countless opportunities that I can bring into the real world. Everyday this university helps me become a better student, a better athlete and a better person. I’m grateful that I’m able to represent SHU as a student and as a division one athlete. Thank you for letting me share my story, now back to you, Alex.
– What passion Sophie, that was great. There is no doubt that all of SHU’s student athletes are passionate about their team and teammates, they really are a family. Thanks again for sharing that, take care, Sophie.
Next up, is Lalo, a senior majoring in Biology. He’s gonna share a little about his background and why he chose St. Edwards. And he’ll tell us about some cool neuroscience research he’s involved in with his professors and classmates, and where he’s headed after graduation. Lalo, take it away!
– Thanks, Alex. Hey everyone! I grew up in South Texas and I was raised by two first-generation Mexican-Americans. Living close to the border, I saw the healthcare disparities present in Mexico compared to the U.S. These disparities alongside my family’s experiences as migrant farm workers, gave me the desire to become an Emergency Medical Technician, to use my skills to help underserved communities. I chose St. Edward’s University because this Liberal Arts College was known for having smaller class sizes and a great teacher-to-student ratio. This allowed me to get close to my professors that were teaching my science courses and led me to be a part of a research team, which has exposed me to the side of scientific inquiry. My interest in Biology stems from a yearning to understand how the fundamentals of life came to be, from DNA to neuronal development. Having a Liberal Arts education offers crucial aspects to building strong communication skills and the ability to understand different perspectives, which is important for healthcare. The overall diversity with the students on campus has enriched my educational experience. My sophomore year, I joined Doctor Andrea Holgado’s Neuroscience Research Team, where we learned more about the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans to study autophagy in neurons. Currently, my lab partners and I are exploring mutations, which can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This hands-on learning experience has given me the opportunity to develop presentations for the Society for Neuroscience, work with the National Science Foundation Grant, and conduct experiments involving western blotting techniques and fluorescent microscopy. Obtaining a Liberal Arts education here at St. Edward’s University has broadened my capacity for social responsibility. I’ve applied for a Fulbright Student Grant to study and teach English in another country after graduation. Upon my return, my plan is to continue with my EMT certification to gain clinical experience. That’s all for me. Back to you, Alex.
– Lalo, you’ll be a fantastic EMT and Physician Assistant. Thanks for letting us see how professors at St. Ed’s get to know their students and team up with them on amazing research. Those experiences are awesome for your future, and we’re all pulling for you to win that Fulbright Grant to teach overseas. Take care!
Let’s head over to meet Michelle who has an awesome story to share. She’s a first-generation student, majoring in Political Science. Her opportunities at St. Ed’s as well as being in Austin, the Texas state capital, have opened amazing doors and she’ll tell us all about them. Okay, Michelle, you are on.
– Thank you, Alex. Hello, everyone. Being born and raised in El Paso, Texas, I always felt very at home as a first-generation, Mexican-American. However, I knew that I needed to leave my community in order to step into my fullest potential and follow my passion for advocacy and changemaking. I wanted to attend college in the capital city, Austin and felt a calling to the Texas State Legislature. The guidance and mentorship I received at St. Edward’s has been priceless. I became involved on campus as a Resident Assistant, Senator for Student Government, and President of a Pre-Law fraternity. Earlier this year, I became a full-time Legislative Assistant as a fellow for a senator that represents my hometown. Then over the summer, I interned for a Congresswoman that represents the district my family lives in through the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. As a St. Edward’s University McNair scholar, I conducted research, “Studying how Educational Attainment Impacts the Representation of Latinos in Congress”. I found that even though Congress is the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, it is still not proportional to the Latino population in the U.S. I hope to fill one of those spaces one day. St. Edward’s has given me the tools that I need to live fully and follow my passions. With guidance from my professors and other faculty, I have been able to create the college experience of my dreams. When I committed to St. Edward’s, I knew that they were committing to me, too. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Michelle, congrats on following your dream. Your leadership activities and research are super, super impressive. So are your internships at the Texas State capital and with the Texas Legislature. Thank you for showing us how your St Ed’s experience is preparing you for your goal of joining Congress and making a difference. Thanks again.
Okay, this is gonna be great. We’re heading to the SDSU Dairy Bar to hear from April. April is an Agricultural Leadership major with a double minor in Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations, and Spanish. She’s one of many students who take advantage of SDSU’s unique farm-to-table on-campus operation that ends with a sweet treat of world famous SDSU ice cream. April, you are up.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone! Growing up on the farm, I always knew I wanted to be involved in agriculture. I spent time on the South Dakota State University campus for multiple events while I was a kid and during high school. And the welcoming atmosphere made coming to SDSU an easy decision when it came time to apply for college. My favorite place on campus is College Green because it is a place where I can relax and be outdoors. Here, I like to read my Bible, do homework, hang with friends, and to make it a little sweeter, eat ice cream. It’s not just any ice cream though. Here at State, we have a unique farm-to-table operation that starts at our own dairy unit just north of campus and ends with world-famous SDSU ice cream being served at our campus dairy bar and throughout South Dakota. One of my favorite flavors is cookies ‘n cream, which was invented right here at SDSU. Yep, that’s right. The popular flavor came to life on campus in 1979 and is still part of the lineup of regularly produced ice cream. That farm-to-table operation wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our students who gain valuable experience while combining their passion and studies. Our ice cream is made from milk that comes from our dairy unit. It’s then sent to our processing lab and soon after, ready to be consumed and sent all around the region. The dairy bar is a hot spot for campus and community members to eat ice cream at any time of the day. It is also a place where the dairy industry engages with our-world class faculty and students to conduct research to benefit agriculture in our region and the world. I plan to pursue agritourism and give tours on local farms about South Dakota agriculture. SDSU has helped me strengthen my passion for agriculture and the knowledge I’ve gained. Thanks for letting me share my story and experience with you. What’s next, Alex?
– April, that was awesome. Send a scoop of Barry Berry, a flavor name for SDSU’s current president, my way. Thanks again for sharing your story. Have a great day, April.
Okay, everyone, now it’s time to turn up the volume. We are excited to meet an SDSU alum who makes a career out of having fun. Dr. Kevin Kessler is SDSU’s Director of Athletic Bands and as a graduate of South Dakota State, is living his dream leading the Pride of the Dakota’s Marching Band. One of the nation’s largest collegiate marching bands. Kevin, please take it away.
– Thanks, Alex! Hello, everyone. As a student at SDSU, I was fortunate enough to be the drum major of the Pride of the Dakota’s Marching Band. It was the most important part of my college experience. Little did I know that someday I would be the director of this amazing group. The Pride is one big family. Lifelong friendships are made while we create entertaining and exciting shows for our audiences. We’re approaching 300 members strong, making us one of the largest college marching bands in the region. Students do not need to be music majors or audition to be a part. In fact, students from nearly every major on campus are members of the Pride. While we work hard to present our amazing performances, students also have a lot of fun. We have dress up days at rehearsal. We are hype in the stands throughout the game, and sections become like families, spending a lot of time with one another outside of rehearsal. It doesn’t matter to us if you’ve never marched before, we have incredible student leadership that will help you learn what you need to know and to make you feel part of something special. The Pride has a tradition-rich history of performing on the world’s largest stages, while creating a great game day atmosphere for our nationally ranked football team. We’ve marched in two Tournament of Roses parades, two Presidential Inaugural parades, and we were chosen to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. We’d love for you to join us and be part of the next chapter of the Pride’s incredible history. If you love music, if you love being a part of excitement and hype, and you want to be part of something special, then the Pride of the Dakotas is for you. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Kevin. Sign me up for a spot. It’s great to hear from an alum who was inspired during their time as a student and is now paying it forward by leading one of the nation’s top collegiate marching bands. That was awesome! Take care.
– First up, everyone is Meriam, a senior majoring in both Environmental Science, and Policy and Political Science. Meriam has been involved in some impressive internships and research at St Ed’s and has given her fantastic real-world experience. She’s gonna share her story and where she’s headed next. You’re on Miriam.
– Thanks Alex. Hey, everyone! Welcome to the Hilltop. Over the past four years, St. Edward’s University has empowered and encouraged me to take on my world, both inside and out of the classroom. One of the biggest growths you go through is when you start college. You move away from home. You meet new people and you really grow into the person that you’re meant to be. St. Edward’s both educates you and helps you get your foot in the door. So by the time that you graduate, you have connections in your field and a sense of direction. You’re also connected to internships that align with your studies and passions. I’ve interned for Environment America, MOVE Texas and their Civic Leadership Program, and most recently, for the Texas Commission On Environmental Quality. Here, I helped create policy recommendations to help winterize water systems across the state. This past summer, I was funded through the St. Edward’s Hook Fellowship to do research on soil sequestration in the Hill Country Grasslands. My research partner and I are currently working on getting our findings published in an academic journal. Had it not been for the one-on-one relationships with my professors at St. Edward’s, I would’ve never thought something like this was possible, especially in undergrad. I also serve as the Head Tour Guide where I get to connect with prospective students, help them navigate the college search, and share what I love most about St. Ed’s, like the personal relationship with your professors. At a small university, your professors are a part of your support system, sharing their wisdom and their experience. With endless support for my advisors, professors, and peers, I’ll be graduating this year with a plan to make my dream a reality, becoming an environmental lawyer pursuing climate equity for a more just world. Because of St. Edward’s University, I’ve developed into the best possible version of myself. Well, that’s my view from the Hilltop. Back to you, Alex!
– Meriam, thank you. Your experience is such a great example of the incredible academic opportunities, hands-on learning, and personal support that make the St. Edward’s experience so rewarding. Congrats on your amazing internships and research, and best of luck as you pursue your dream of being an environmental lawyer. You’ll be brilliant. Take care.
Next, we’re visiting the Nest to meet the one and only Tiffany Chin. Tiffany is an interdisciplinary studies major and a student peer mentor with the ACES. SUU is known for its outstanding retention rate, which means students like to stay at SUU to finish their degree. Resources like the Nest and peer mentors make SUU a place where students feel like they have the support to succeed. Take it away, Tiffany.
– Hey everyone, before I came to SUU, I hoNestly thought college might not be for me. I came in as a first-generation student without really knowing what college would entail or what resources were available to help. It felt like no matter what I tried, I couldn’t get it to work for me. And I was really unhappy. I decided to take a semester off of school and I toured almost every university in the state of Utah as a last ditch effort to find a place I could make college work. I was immediately drawn to SUU. People were happy here. From the beginning, I felt that people took a genuine interest in me in a way that’s just not possible at bigger universities. I remember during the tour wanting to meet with an academic advisor, but not having an appointment. I awkwardly kind of stumbled over to where their offices are and was immediately invited in to sit down for a full fledged appointment, something that would have never been the case at my previous institution. The culture of SUU is very much based around that mentality that students come first. Our door is always open and we care about you as a person, which is exactly what I needed. One of the biggest resources on campus that demonstrates that culture, is the ACES program. ACES are peer mentors for incoming freshmen who work in the Nest, which serves as a one-stop shop for any and all student questions. It’s crazy to think that attending a new student orientation once could teach you everything you need to know about campus or about adjusting to college life. You’re learning how to study at a college level, how to live on your own, how to balance a budget, and how to balance work and school. Who better to learn this from than a current student who’s been through it before. You come in as a freshman, and there are things you simply would never know without the help of your ACE. I can tell you firsthand as a peer mentor, it is so much more than connecting freshmen to campus. ACES really are in the business of changing lives. You become a friend of these students. As an ACE, I’ve been able to foster connection with students to where, they text me to tell me they passed their exam, or tell me they’re struggling with a roommate, or ask me for date ideas. There’s really no other way to say it, but I’m honored to have been that person for any student. So whether it’s your ACE, your professor, or an academic advisor, people genuinely care about you here, that’s undeniable. College at SUU is so much more than simply going to class and coming home to do homework. It is been gaining mentors in my professors, getting a job on campus and working with my best friends. I really have created a family away from home here. From someone who thought that college might not be for me, who almost dropped out completely before coming to SUU, I wanna say college is for you. Not only can you make it work, but college can be the best time of your life. SUU has been that for me. Alex, back to you.
– Tiffany, thank you. It’s wonderful to see so many resources and support systems are available to students at SUU and the lifelong connections that are built from them. Thank you for dedicating your time to helping others succeed, that was awesome. Cheers Tiffany.
Next up is Sam Nelson. He’s an online business management major who actually lives in Los Angeles, California working as a professional dancer. SUU’s online degrees are super flexible, affordable, and accessible for students like Sam. Plus, he’s speeding up his time to graduation with SUU’s three year degree program. Sam it’s all yours.
– Hey everyone, my name is Sam, and I am a professional dancer and choreographer living in Burbank, California, but I am also a senior at Southern Utah University. As high school graduation was approaching, I knew that I was gonna be faced with a really, really tough decision. I had to decide whether I wanted to move to LA to pursue my career in dance, or if I wanted to go to school. But luckily I didn’t have to make that choice. My brother actually was able to recommend the online degree program to me at SUU. My degree is being earned 100% online, which has allowed me to take opportunities to work as a dancer in LA that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to accept. Some of these jobs include, So You Think You Can Dance season 16, The World of Dance Championship season three, The Creative Arts Emmys Awards, and appearing in music videos for artists such as Nia Sioux, Clinton Kane, Tame Impala, just to name a few. Because of the flexible nature of SUU’s online business program, I’ve been able to do it all. Choreograph, teach, travel, perform, all while still earning my education online. SUU offers a three-year bachelor’s degree program. So I’ve been able to take classes throughout the year and study throughout the summer. As much as I value my time in school, I couldn’t help but want to finish my degree as fast as possible due to the opportunities waiting for me post graduation. I would be nowhere near as far along in my education or in my career if it wasn’t for SUU. Having that personal interaction with faculty and other students online has helped me feel so connected to SUU even though I’m not an on-campus in-person student. Many of my classes are self-paced meaning that I can work around deadlines to get those readings and those assignments in, even though my schedule is so crazy and unpredictable. Looking back on all the classes I’ve taken and the professors who have taught me so much, I now have a clear understanding of how I can combine my passion for dance, with my new understanding of business management. One day I plan to open my own dance related business, either a professional dance studio or a national dance convention, which will give me the chance to share my passion for others while utilizing my degree that I’ve worked so hard to achieve. Because of my love for dance, my business degree, and SUU, I can open the door to so many opportunities for my future. I encourage students like me who need a more flexible schedule and who need affordable tuition to highly consider the online degree program at SUU. No matter how far along you are in your educational journey and your career, SUU can help you achieve your goals. Back to you Alex.
– Sam, thank you for sharing your incredible journey with us. I’m glad you’re following your dreams and rocking the world of dance while also earning a degree. I can’t wait to see where you go next. Cheers Sam.
Now we’re heading over to Thunderbird Gardens to meet outdoor recreation major, Jessica. At the University of the Parks, many T-Birds, like Jessica, are able to explore and learn in the great outdoors. Each year, SUU places more than 300 students in outdoor internships and research positions in the nearby national parks and public lands. It’s easy to get outside and reap the benefits of nature when you go to school at the University of the Parks. Jessica, please tell us more.
– Hey, everyone, welcome to Cedar City, Utah, also known as Festival City, USA. This small town in beautiful Southern Utah is not short of excitement. There’s something for everyone year round, like a world-class Shakespeare Festival, a local sheep parade, and of course, adventuring in the great outdoors. SUU is located within a five-hour drive of more than 20 national parks and monuments in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, which is why SUU is trademarked the University of the Parks. SUU’s incredible location and connection to the outdoors is ultimately what brought me to campus. When I was deciding on a college to attend, I discovered SUU was offering a special adventurous 18 credit semester in Bryce Canyon National Park. I knew that was for me. I spent my first semester with 11 other students living and working in Bryce Canyon, just an hour and a half away from campus. Our professors brought our classes to us in the park and on weekend camping trips. The outdoors truly became our classroom. That semester set the stage for me pursuing an outdoor recreation degree. Now I’m on campus learning the foundations of the industry and how to be an outdoor leader. My professors are great at teaching us concepts and connecting them to the real world. For most of my class assignments, I get to collaborate with local outdoor organizations on projects they are currently working on that bring what I learned in the classroom to life. All of this work is preparing me to fulfill my dream of developing programs that empower people through outdoor adventures. When I’m not in class, I work with one of the coolest departments on campus, SUU outdoors. We know that Southern Utah has so much to offer. You could be skiing down the powdery snow in the morning, and climbing the red rocks in 70 degree weather that same afternoon. We don’t want students to miss out on this. So we rent tons of outdoor gear at amazing prices and organize free weekend trips. We do everything from snowshoeing to canyoneering, backpacking, river rafting, and more. Our trips are so much fun, and as a trip leader, I love to help students try new things, make new friends, and experience some of the most beautiful places on earth. And if free trips and outdoor classrooms aren’t enough, SUU is home to the largest federal internship program in the nation, the IIC. It connects students to careers in the national parks and public lands. Last summer, I led a unique crew the IIC created to work in our local community. We were the hands for a wide variety of projects, left undone due to the pandemic. For 10 weeks, my crew and I spent every day outside working on these projects. My favorite was building a bridge on a hiking trail we fixed. We learned lots of new skills and grew as leaders while we served our community. So there you have it, being the University of the Parks means we get to play, learn, and work outside. At SUU, we literally have the world’s best backyard. Come see it yourselves. Top that Alex.
– Jessica, I don’t know what to say. There’s no way I can top that. Your story is epic, wow. SUU truly has an amazing backyard. From skiing at local resorts, to hiking in the national parks, to hammocking here on campus. There’s an adventure for everyone here. Thanks again for that tour Jessica, take care.
Okay, now let’s meet student doctor, Kensley at our next stop. The brand new state-of-the-art, College of Osteopathic Medicine, only the third in the state of Texas. Kensley is a small town guy doing big things here at Sam Houston. Today, he’s gonna talk about how his passion for helping others brought him to Sam Houston, as well as this amazing new medical program and the healthcare opportunities it will provide for all Texans. Kensley, please take it away.
– Hey everyone. And thanks Alex. Welcome to the new Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine down in Conroe, Texas. My name is Kensley Grant, I’m a second year osteopathic medical student here at SHSU. And I’m proud to be part of our first year of student doctors. Over the past year, our faculty and staff and students have worked hard to create a learning environment that is truly diverse and collaborative. We’ve been able to join national organizations like the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. Our faculty have led us down a path to really look at medical policy. And they push us every day to advocate for changes. We’ve done this by speaking to our state representatives about creating initiatives and fostering changes in policies that we can control. We’ve worked together to create outreach partnerships, student organizations, interest groups, and we’ve developed a free clinic for the underserved at the Salvation Army. Like many others, I knew that I wanted to be a physician from a young age. I grew up in an extremely small town out in rural west Texas with a population of about 1000. I’ve seen firsthand members of my community miss their medications or miss doctor’s appointments because of lack of healthcare options. The nearest clinic is a 60 mile round trip drive. These types of access to healthcare limitations create incredible difficulties for people living in rural America. Sam Houston State’s mission, is to increase access to healthcare in Texas by promoting primary care, and teaching students not only how to treat patients, but also how to care for their communities. Our program is designed to immerse student doctors in hands-on practices. And our state-of-the-art facilities really make that possible. We have a mock hospital wing with an operating room and a full doctor’s office suite. Each of which allows faculty oversight and observation through specialized rooms. At SHSU, we believe that the measure of life is its service. And we try to put that saying into practice here every day. As a small town guy from rural West Texas, I know that this COM is gonna make a difference in the lives of Texans for years to come. We wanna thank you guys for stopping by, we appreciate you, back to you, Alex.
– Kensley, you’ve been busy. Thank you, your fellow students and faculty for your impressive work to provide greater access and quality healthcare for all. And for sharing your story and the amazing facility at the college of osteopathic medicine. We are all wishing you the very best in your future endeavors. Take care.