All right, now let’s meet Bethany, a senior majoring in finance and accounting, and minoring in architecture. She’s gonna tell us how easy it is for students to connect with their professors, which isn’t something you’ll find at every school. Bethany, please take it away.
– Hey, y’all, I’m a senior from Dallas, Texas, and I’m studying finance and accounting. When I’m not in class, you can find me working in the admissions office, helping students as a TA, and staying involved in Greek life. I also raised a black lab named Forrest to become a service dog through a Tulane program called TUSTEP. At Tulane, we have an eight to one student to faculty ratio. I saw what that actually meant when it came to figuring out what I want to do with my life. I started school determined to become an architect, but I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. Before my sophomore year started, I began looking into other majors, and I was stressed about how I would get into my classes and still graduate on time. My worries were quickly resolved upon reaching out to my academic advisor. She helped me get in touch with faculty in the business school, and I had professors calling me over the summer to talk to me about my career goals. When I officially decided I wanted to study finance and accounting, I was put in touch with the registrar, Colette, and she worked tirelessly to get me into every class I wanted. One of those classes happened to be taught by her sister, Christine, the head of the accounting department. Today, I’m lucky enough to work in the same building as Colette, so I see her all the time. We even grab coffee together every once in a while. Christina’s been my professor for two of my accounting courses and I TA for her every semester. These women have been influential to my success at Tulane and they truly embody what the school means when we talk about approachable and helpful faculty and staff. What’s next, Alex?
– Thank you, Bethany. I loved hearing your story about how wanting to switch your major landed you a cool job TA-ing, and as an undergrad. Really impressive stuff. The relationships between students and faculty at Tulane really do go a long way. Thanks again, Bethany.
Next up, we have the one and only Mickey Mickle. How great is that name? Mickey is a sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama, majoring in political science with minors in French and Africana studies. She’s gonna tell us about research, internships, and the resources that go along with supporting students through those opportunities. Mickey, the floor’s all yours.
– Thanks for that introduction, Alex, I applied to Tulane as a pre-med student, but the months leading up to my first semester, my career path took a complete 180 and I switched to pre-law. After years of preparing for a STEM-heavy course load, I had no idea how to navigate the world of social sciences and liberal arts. Despite my worries, I met Dr. Mahoney who taught a course on leadership in New Orleans. We developed a close relationship and at the end of the semester, Dr. Mahoney hired me as a research assistant for a project in conjunction with Christopher Clark and Nadia Brown, researching black women in legislative caucuses. Her research was directly in line with my areas of study in political science and Africa studies. I now help her study voting records to find these women’s influence on their fellow Congress members, and how they will impact future legislators. Next semester, we’ll have the opportunity of a lifetime and we’ll interview congresswomen to get direct insight and knowledge for our research. By spring semester, I gained another position with the Newcomb Institute reproductive rights internship. And I submitted my application to be a digital development intern for the podcast, “Black Feminist Rants”. BFR is a reproductive justice podcast that discusses activism and black feminism while centering the experience of black women and femmes navigating social justice spaces and the world. In just one year, I was able to find internships in research positions that allowed me to explore my fields hands-on. These opportunities are widely available here at Tulane and we make it so easy to balance them with your course load. I’m so honored to be a part of such incredible projects. Thanks so much. And back to you, Alex.
– Wait, Mickey. You’re telling me that research isn’t just someone in a lab coat doing science stuff? It’s that and more? Wow, that’s awesome that Tulane encourages and supports students to do research and internships of all kinds no matter what year in school you are. Thanks, Mickey. That was fantastic.
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.
Next up, we have Lance, a senior from Mobile, Alabama, majoring in communication and anthropology, and minoring in French. He’s gonna tell us about the thriving art scene at Tulane and in new Orleans. Let’s hear it, Lance.
– Hey, y’all. Back in high school, I was a part of my school’s choir and I spent a good bit of my time singing. Coming to college, I knew I wanted to continue my involvement with music, whether it be through academics or extracurriculars. Here at Tulane, the arts are accessible to all students regardless of their major. Although I didn’t end up majoring in music, I still had the opportunity to stay involved. During my first year, I became a member of Green Envy, one of Tulane’s seven acapella groups. Through Green Envy, I’ve had the opportunity to perform at many Tulane events like festivals and commencement. And I’ve also performed at many local New Orleans events like Pelicans NBA games. You can always find live music on Tulane’s campus and across the city of New Orleans. Some of my favorite music festivals include Voodoo Fest and Jazz Fest. We love our music here and we appreciate the rest of the arts just as much. In fact, Tulane offers dance, theater, and studio art majors taught by industry leaders. If you’re interested in the arts, you’ll have the opportunity to take classes ranging from acting to ballet to glassblowing. I’ll have you know, Tulane is home to the largest glassblowing studio on any college campus in the country. When you come to Tulane, you’ll have every opportunity to get involved with the arts in any way you’d like. I may have spent my time singing and jamming out to some great music, but who knows what you’ll accomplish once you’re here. All right, y’all. That’s all from me. Alex, take it away.
– Whoa, Lance. It is amazing learning how you were able to continue pursuing your passion in music, even though you wanted to major in something else. There really are no limits to what you can do right here at Tulane. Thanks again, Lance.
Now introducing Journe. Journe is a sophomore studying political science with a concentration in pre-law and a minor in philosophy. We’re gonna head over to Yulman Stadium, home to Tulane’s football team, the Green Wave. There, Journe will tell you about the sports culture and school spirit here at Tulane. Take it away, Journe.
– Hey, y’all. And a helluva hullabaloo. Growing up, I always had my college experience planned out. I knew that I wanted to attend a college that had everything, from great academics, to a great social scene, and a great cheer team. I love how here at Tulane, you can be whoever you want to be. Most of the time, I choose to be in cheerleader mode. Coming into Tulane, I was nervous as to if I would even fit in, but after putting on the cheer uniform for the first time, I knew that I was in the right place. I feel very supported on and off the field by the Tulane athletics department. Through Tulane Athletics, every student athlete will leave Tulane with a toolkit full of resources that they can use in their professional lives and their future athletic endeavors. Even if you aren’t a varsity athlete, you can still find a way to stay active through club sports or intramural sports. Here at Tulane, we have over 30 clubs sports and 13 intramural leads. It’s a great way to make friends and have fun. As a fan, students can attend any athletic event for free. We have a great football game day experience here in Yulman Stadium with tailgating on the quad beforehand. The basketball games are a ton of fun and our baseball team is nationally competitive. With so many teams doing so well over the last few years, you can really feel the school spirit around campus. I’m happy to say that I found a home within Tulane, the athletics department, and the entire university. Roll wave and back to you, Alex.
– Journe, that is incredible. Great job. And thanks for sharing your own experience as a student athlete. Whether it’s a division one sport or an intermural team that plays on the weekend, it sounds like anyone can get involved in Tulane’s sports culture. Good luck on the cheer team this year, Journe. That was fantastic. 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.
Okay, it’s time to fly over to SUU Aviation, where we will meet Preston. Preston is a junior from Texas who moved to Cedar City for SUU’s High Elevation Aviation program. If you wanna fly planes or helicopters, you really can’t find a better place than Cedar City to learn. Let’s hear what Preston has to say about learning to fly and SUU. Over to you Preston.
– Thank you Alex. Hey everybody, I’m one of the many veterans students here at SUU. I’ve previously served in the United States Army as an explosive ordnance disposal technician before I moved back home to Texas to begin my flying journey at Epic Helicopters. After attaining my private pilot certificate, I transferred here to SUU’s aviation program. Now, originally I had some reservations about attending a university. I’d been out of an academic setting for several years and sitting in an auditorium full of 200 students wasn’t something I was excited about. One tour of SUU’s campus quickly put my mind at ease. I discovered SUU was able to offer all the resources of a major university while keeping class sizes small and maintaining that small town feel. One of the truly unique things you’ll notice about SUU’s aviation program is the elevation. Here at Cedar City, our airport elevation is 5,622 feet. Meaning the highest of any collegiate flight school in the country. The additional challenges you’ll face while flying it higher altitudes will certainly enhance your skills as a pilot. Throughout your training at SUU, you’ll get exposure to various flying operations like mountain operations, sling load operations, and even flying with night vision goggles. SUU is the proud home of the Chuck Aaron Academy, a program designed to train seasoned pilots on advanced recovery techniques to keep them safe in the real world. This training’s provided through a specialized helicopter. We call The Animal. One of the few helicopters actually certified by the FAA for aerobatic flight. Whether you wanna fly airplanes, helicopters, become an aircraft maintenance technician, or even take advantage of the specialized training offered here at SUU, the hands-on learning you’ll get through any of our aviation programs will set you on the right path for future success. Being enrolled in the aviation program ourselves, we have a clear understanding of the unique challenges that await our aviation students, and we’re here to help you overcome them. If you’re curious about a career in aviation, feel free to stop by SUU for a tour. You can even schedule an introductory flight and get firsthand experience behind the controls of an aircraft. After securing your flight spot with our admissions department, you can even begin flying your very first semester. The high altitude training and unique flying opportunities SUU has provided has definitely set me up for my future career in aviation. Back to you Alex.
– So incredible Preston. Thank you. I think I need to learn how to be a pilot now. That was absolutely incredible. What a program, thank you for walking us through that. Cheers Preston.
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.
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.