Okay, everyone. We’re about to hear from Sierra, a junior majoring in Psychology. She loves living on the Hilltop and is involved in all kinds of campus activities. She’s gonna tell us about St. Edward’s energetic campus life and why the Hilltop is her home away from home. Sierra, please take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. My college search experience was very rough. I had no idea where I wanted to go and because I started so late, I didn’t get a chance to visit many schools. What I did know, was that I wanted a small diverse school in a new city. The moment I stepped onto this campus, it felt like home. Not only was the campus gorgeous, but everyone was so welcoming and it felt like faculty and staff generally wanted me to be happy here. My freshman year, I joined the cheer team and lived on campus. Living on campus, made my transition from home easier because I had more opportunities to make friends and get involved. I am a bit of a worrier and I do get anxious sometimes, but I found a great support system here. I am having tons of fun and I’m finding my footing. My initial instinct of the school feeling like home was correct. The second semester of my freshman year, I suffered a deep personal loss. All I wanted to do was go home in Maryland to be with my family. Being so far away from home was very difficult, but the overwhelming amount of support that I got from my friends and university staff, reminded me of why I chose the school and why I wanted to stay. This is my second home. There are tons of things to experience on campus. I love showing prospective students at Hilltop as a tour guide. Being an orientation leader and welcoming new students to campus. And I love helping run the club cheer team. For my senior year, I’m hoping to study abroad and start an internship to gain real-world experience. I’m constantly talking to my faculty advisors and success coaches to identify what I need to do to achieve my goals. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks Sierra for pointing out the many, many advantages of living on the Hilltop and what it means to you. Living here really puts students in the heart of St. Ed’s amazing campus life and all the activities, support, and fun this community offers. Cheers, Sierra!
Hilltoppers have tremendous campus traditions and school spirit, especially when it comes to their NCAA sports teams and their club sports. Mimi is up next. She’s a freshman majoring in Marketing and she plays varsity soccer. She’ll tell us what it’s like to be a student athlete at St. Ed’s and a part of their championship athletic program. We’ll also hear how St. Ed’s supports the outstanding academic achievements of its athletes. Mimi, give us the scoop. You are on.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. Hey, everyone! Growing up, I always knew I wanted to play college soccer. After being recruited by several schools across the country, I chose St. Ed’s because of its highly successful soccer program, commitment to social justice, diverse student body, and location here in the city of Austin, Texas.
– [Crowd] Yay!
– [Male Onlooker] Now, now! Here we go! He’s a Hilltopper!
– Here we go!
– [Guy] Here we go!
– So far, my experience as a student athlete has been everything I hoped it would be. At St. Edward’s, we have 10 NCAA varsity sports that compete in the Division II Lone Star Conference. We also have 16 different club teams, such as cheer, lacrosse, and rugby. There are plenty of ways to get involved with athletics. Over the past 20 years, St. Edward’s athletic teams have won over 60 conference titles and advanced to the NCAA tournament more than 75 times. The Lone Star Conference is very competitive, which brings out a lot of Hilltopper spirit and pride. School rivalries, Senior Night, and Battle of the Saints always draw out huge crowds. Something that makes St. Edward’s athletics special is that we are valued as students, not just athletes. Our team is high-achieving in the classroom because our coaches encourage us to take challenging and rigorous courses. They accommodate our academic needs by proctoring tests on the road or encouraging student athletes to leave training early for their classes. I have also received tremendous academic support from my success coach, free tutoring, and therapy. No matter what club or team you join here, you will develop real-world skills. St. Edward’s has taught me the value of teamwork, time management, and goal-setting. I’ve also built connections with other students and athletes that will last a lifetime. That’s all from me! Back to you, Alex!
– Thanks, Mimi for sharing your story and giving us a great look at how popular the Hilltopper athletic teams and club sports competitions are. It’s no secret that school spirit and traditions are thriving at St. Ed’s. Good luck in your next soccer match, Mimi, and Toppers up!
St. Edward’s has a unique mission. It’s inspired by its founders, The Congregation of Holy Cross. Here to talk more about that is Liam. He’s a sophomore majoring in English Literature. Liam will tell us how St. Ed’s Holy Cross tradition and values originally drew him here, and how it has truly enhanced his experience on the Hilltop. Okay, Liam, you’re up. Please take it away.
– Thank you, Alex. Hi everyone! My dad has worked as an educator at a Holy Cross high school for almost 30 years. So when it came time for me to look at colleges, I knew I could find a home in the Holy Cross community that had surrounded me my entire life. From the moment I stepped on campus, this was the place for me. St. Edward’s stood out as a school that would provide the Holy Cross community and values that I’ve held close throughout my life. The campus ministry retreat experiences I’ve had show me how St. Edward’s fosters a faith-based environment where all are welcome and accepted. On the Hilltop, I’ve connected with others who share my values and who strive to get involved in the campus community. St. Edward’s is rooted in its mission to provide a Liberal Arts education that challenges students to take risks and develop critical-thinking skills, which sets us apart from other colleges. St. Edward’s is committed to educating the hearts and minds of students within the Holy Cross community. The dedicated and supportive professors, advisors, and staff, along with the inclusive and diverse student body, makes St. Edward’s a place where all are welcome. The people, the Holy Cross community, and the campus life remind me every day that this is the place for me, and I’ve loved every minute of my experience here. That’s it for me. Back to you, Alex.
– Liam, thank you for sharing your personal story. You’ve really opened our eyes to the meaning and lifelong impact of St. Edward’s Holy Cross tradition, and its commitment to educating minds and hearts with St. Ed’s’ welcoming, inclusive community. It’s no wonder students feel at home here. Cheers, Liam!
Next up, we’re gonna meet Sam, a junior Exercise Science major who has made this place a home away from home. With a great downtown, plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and stores and tons of recreational spaces, Brookings is a growing thriving community that rallies around the university, and the Jackrabbits athletic program that compete at the NCAA Division One level.
– Thanks Alex. What’s up, everyone? Growing up, I was a kid who didn’t know what their next step would look like after high school. I knew I wanted to go somewhere with big opportunities with the campus that felt right size for me. After visiting SDSU, I knew it was the perfect fit. I love the campus atmosphere here. There’s over 200 clubs and organizations that provide me with an opportunity to chase my passion while gaining world-class education. Going to class. I almost always see a friend walking by. In the Exercise Science program almost everybody knows everyone, which makes us feel like we’re all in this together. Just like the town I grew up in, I feel like everyone here at SDSU has got my back. The best part though, is that Brookings has the big town opportunities. The community and state support our division one athletic programs where we’ve won a number of conference championships and several of our teams are competitive on a national level. Our Jackrabbits make a huge impact on the overall appeal of the university. Cheering them on is a great way to spend a night at Frost Arena, Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, or another one of our top notch facilities. Another great aspect of SDSU is its location. Downtown Brookings is of awesome shops and restaurants, Nick’s Hamburger Shop being my favorite. Grab a snack and head to Dakota Nature Park. It’s a beautiful place to visit with trails to explore only three miles away from campus. Plus we’re only 45 minutes away from Sioux Falls, South Dakota’s largest city. The biggest lesson I’ve learned here at SDSU is there’s no limit to how much you can achieve here. No matter your goal, SDSU will find a way to support you. They will match your hard work and ambition with opportunity. Well, that is all for me. Alex, take it away, man.
– Sam, thank you so much. We appreciate you sharing all about the Brookings community and what SDSU has to offer students. No matter where your interests lie there is no shortage of opportunities to get involved and make your time as a Jackrabbit very, very special. Thanks, Sam!
Let’s head over to SUU’s Bell Tower to meet psychology major Hadley Cowan and see what life as a T-Bird is really like. Hadley, take it away.
– Hello and welcome to SUU. One of the main reasons why I chose to come to SUU is the sense of community found here. I’m lucky to come from a long line of SUU alumni, including parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. While having alumni family members who may have helped me to pick SUU, the student life and community helped me to stay here. Southern Utah University is focused on having positive student life, which is easily seen in the over 100 student events held each year. From Paint the Town Red to freshmen orientation, otherwise known as Thunder U, to athletics and alumni events such as Forever Red, there’s always a campus activity to get involved in. As a new student, each T-Bird has a chance to participate in the Bell Tower tradition. After a welcome address from SUU’s president, students walk up campus toward the Bell Tower. The path leading to the Bell Tower is lined with fellow students, faculty, staff, and SUU alumni. They are all there to officially welcome these new students to the T-Bird nation. Students will walk under the Bell Tower toward the rising sun, symbolizing the sun rising on their time at SUU. And in a few years, those same students will again walk underneath the Bell Tower, but in the opposite direction towards graduation symbolizing their time ending at SUU. When I went through the Bell Tower tradition, it was the first time that I felt that I belonged to something bigger. During my three years as a T-Bird, I’ve had the chance to work as a presidential ambassador for SUU, where I gained 50 instant best friends. Working within admissions and recruitment, I’m able to promote SUU and the programs offered here. I give tours of campus, I visit high schools, and I even get to meet with incoming college students to show them what life is truly like as a T-Bird. Because SUU is so focused on student success, my sense of belonging with the presidential ambassadors is not unique. SUU provides a variety of different organizations that are all dedicated to helping new students find their people and feel connected to one another. Whether you’re a first generation student or come from a long line of college graduates, you’ll find a home and a family here at SUU. New students are taken under their wing, no T-Bird pun intended. Life at SUU is truly unique and made my college decision one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Welcome to the T-Bird Nation. Take it away, Alex.
– Thank you for showing your SUU experience Hadley, your experience walking under the Bell Tower gave me chills. What an awesome tradition for students, and even cooler, that you get to share your love of SUU with alumni family members. That was great, thanks again.
It’s time for an off-campus adventure to meet Courtney, an agriculture science major who’s studying to be an ag teacher. She’s working at Gibbs Ranch, a working ranch facility that was deeded to the university in 1993. Here, agriculture students spend time working with cattle, goats and maintaining the 1800 acre property. Just a short 12 minute drive from campus, this property serves as a second home for Sam Houston State University ag students. Let’s join Courtney to get our boots dirty and see why life is better on the ranch.
– Thanks Alex, howdy. My name is Courtney, and we’re going to Sam Houston State University. Growing up in Northern California, agriculture has always been dear to my heart. Some of my favorite memories were helping out on the ranch even as a young child. In high school, I was heavily involved in Future Farmers of America, where I showed livestock, held leadership positions and also went on to obtaining the highest degree an FFA member could receive, my American degree. Being a first generation college student that was raised by my grandparents, the thought of attending college was so exciting, but also pretty scary. Although there were plenty of amazing schools back home, this California girl knew she wanted something so much bigger. And as everyone knows, everything’s bigger in Texas. And something that Texas agriculture truly drew me in. When I first started looking at universities, I thought I wanted such a large setting, but quickly realized that I wanted to be more than just a face in the classroom. I wanted to have a personal connection with my university and my professors. And thankfully here at Sam Houston State, I have found that place in Ag Science Department. I’m a proud member of Sigma alpha, an agriculture based sorority, CattleWomen, Collegian FFA trio, and I’ve even served as a national teach ag ambassador. As you can see, I’ve kept pretty busy with all the opportunities here at Sam. I’m so grateful for everyone here at Sam Houston, who has constantly pushed me to do better in my career. My professors are so focused on ensuring that I’m successful in my field. They’ve helped me with hands-on experiences, such as out here at Gibbs Ranch, where I’ve learned to vaccinate goats and the proper way to back up a truck and trailer. I fix engines in my ag mechanics classes and then would find myself rushing to the horticulture center to propagate a peach tree. Here at Sam Houston, I’m so thankful for all the opportunities to ensure that I’m not only gonna be a well-rounded ag teacher, but also a great agriculturist. My sorority has introduced me to a phenomenal group of young professional women. And some of my favorite memories, are cheering on our fellow sisters compete on the rodeo or horse judging team. And we’ve even helped with Collegiate FFA with steer saddling. Let me be honest, I never pictured myself being a Bearkat. For the most part, I didn’t even know what one was or that they existed. But since being at Sam Houston State, I have never been more proud to be called one. Thanks for hearing my story, eat them up Kats and back to you, Alex.
– Great job Courtney from California all the way to Huntsville. Your path to become an ag teacher has been full of incredible learning opportunities. You’re gonna be a great resource for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Thanks again for taking the time with us today. Take care, Courtney.
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.