Next up, Natalya, a freshman from Oakland, New Jersey, Natalya came to Montclair, not yet decided on a major. She got a jump start on her freshman year at a summer bridge program that helped incoming student with college preparedness, and engage them in a full spectrum of tutoring and campus activities. Take it away Natalya.
– I’m a freshman at Montclair State University. I’m fluent in Spanish, and currently learning ASL. Music, theater and art are very important aspects of my life. I am a presidential scholar and an honor student. And I haven’t declared a major, but I’m confident that Montclair State will give me the opportunities to pursue a future in visual and performing arts. One of my favorite things is sharing experiences with other people, and already I felt welcome in the Montclair community. This past summer, I attended the summer bridge program, which helped me feel more prepared to take on college life, and engage with resources and activities on campus. It made the transition very smooth. I’ve made new friends, both those who commute, and those who dorm throughout the year. And it was the smallest interactions that truly meant the most. Taking late night walks around campus, going to the amphitheater and just singing our hearts out. ♪ Let the good go ♪ ♪ Let me give you my life. ♪
– One day I went into the communal kitchen, and people were just cooking, baking pastries and brownies, making popcorn. Someone was even hand rolling their own pasta. And we all shared food together. That sense of community is a part of why I love Montclair so much. The engagement with peers, interaction between staff and students, and huge buffet of academic opportunities is remarkable here. There are over 300 programs across 10 colleges, and your advisors and professors are always striving to push you to be the best student and person you can be. Montclair has a population of just over 21,000 students, but the smaller class sizes make you feel more comfortable and like you’re not alone. I’m very excited for my future classes and involvement on campus. And I know that no matter where my path leads me, Montclair will let me soar. Back to you, Alex.
– Natalya, let’s go Red Hawks. Let me see if I have this right. Pointer finger, middle finger and thumb, hook it like a beak and out. Let’s go Red Hawks. Natalya I love that you’re off to such a great start, best of luck.
Next up is Samantha from Flemington, New Jersey, a sophomore double majoring in psychology and gender sexuality and women’s studies. With minors in leadership development through civic engagement and Italian. Sam is a Bonner Leader and volunteers at the global center on human trafficking at Montclair State, and with the City of Elizabeth for Homeless and Act Rescue. Take it away, Sam.
– I’m so happy to be here, Alex, if you had told me a year ago, I would’ve fall in love with Montclair State, I wouldn’t have believed you. Falling in love with your school in a global pandemic is just as hard as you think it is. Luckily I had the Bonner Leader program. I’ve had the opportunity to at least 300 hours of community service each year. This includes the Bonner’s week long orientation. There we do things such as renovating homes, helping facilities, where they help people with developmental or physical disabilities, and helping feeding the homeless in Atlantic city. For me, my fellow Bonners, it was inevitable forming a family like bond after putting in so much effort into a cause bigger than all of us. Our community service continues throughout the year with days commemorating the 9/11 day of service, and Martin Luther king day of service. Each year more than a thousand students are engaged in partner with 200 plus community partners to seek solutions to real issues of public concern. Opportunities for students include the Bonner Leader Program, AmeriCorps, and the community engaged learning program. Personally, I am minoring in leadership through civic engagement. I hope to use this minor to professionally create service opportunities that align with my community values. Even if community service is not your thing, the environment that Montclair provides for its students is an experience that any young adult could benefit from. I barely started my sophomore year, and I’m already so much more of the person I’ve dreamt of becoming. It was wonderful talking to all of you today. Now it’s time for you, Alex.
– Fantastic work, Sam. Here at the college tour, we love seeing Montclair’s vibrant volunteer spirit, students making connections and impacting local communities. Students are engaged, giving back, and making a difference in their lives, and the lives of others, well done.
Are you ready to be wild? Jennifer also known as JJ from Ohio, a junior dance major, who is also part of the pre-medical program, tells us what drew her to college in New Jersey and Montclair were those iconic New York City lights. JJ says the views and access to the city are amazing. And the dance program is insane. Take it away, JJ.
– Thank you, Alex. My sister has been my biggest inspiration. I started dancing because I wanted to be like her. And then became interested in the medical field when she started her journey becoming a physical therapist. Montclair State University allows me to be involved with dance while also creating a future in the medical field. The opportunities I’ve encountered while being a dance major have been like no other. I’ve been able to train with some of the industry’s top educators, and while being a dance major is a huge commitment, my advisors have been able to help me fit in the prerequisites needed to enter into a physician assistant program after graduation. I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. And I’m now a college student, just 12 miles outside of New York City. The views on Manhattan skyline are almost as incredible as the accessibility to the opportunities New York City has to offer to Montclair State University students. The commute is a breeze between the two train stations on campus or by bus or car. Montclair’s architectural aesthetic of white buildings with red roofs is just another example of the beauty of the University. Being so close to New York City will make my transitions into the real world, much smoother. I’ll be able to audition for my dream roles, like being a Rockette without the hurdles of hotels, extensive travel and being unfamiliar with the city. Also some of the best medical professionals in the world are located in and around New York City. So my shadowing experiences will be top tier. I love what Montclair State University has brought to the table for me. And I truly believe the school is one of a kind. Thank you for joining me today, Alex.
– JJ, that was awesome. A grand jete, and so was that view of New York City. Best of luck as you pursue your passions in dance and medicine. It’s wonderful to have such a supportive and personalized academic environment. Montclair’s certainly gives you both, cheers JJ.
All right, everyone, let’s first head over to meet Dr. Malloy. She is a professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus and Chief of Neuro-Ophthalmic disease at the Eye Institute. She is also an instructor of head and neck anatomy, neuroanatomy and Neuro–ophthalmic disease courses at PCO. She’s gonna talk about how the university’s renowned faculty combined with a lower student to teacher ratio can help you become the best healthcare professional you can be. Dr. Malloy.
– Thanks Alex and hi everyone. I’m here to help you realize that Salus is the perfect place to continue your graduate level education and begin your journey into a healthcare profession career that is both rewarding and fulfilling. I am honored to represent the world-class faculty here at Salus, where I began my own journey into the optometric profession at PCO more than 25 years ago. At that time, I was awed by the knowledge, passion and dedication of my professors who ultimately became my mentors, colleagues and friends. Fast forward a few decades, I’m now an optometrist specializing in Neuro-ophthalmic disease and I have the privilege of teaching students in both a didactic and clinical setting. I believe patient care gives me real world experience to bring back to the classroom, enabling me to be a better teacher. In turn, teaching keeps me current with the latest research and scientific development allowing me to be a better doctor. I educate students in some capacity throughout the duration of their training here at Salus. It’s amazing to see the exponential growth in knowledge, confidence and maturity gained in such a short time. You’ll enter as a student and leave as a well-trained professional, ready to embark on your future career. Whether you want to be an optometrist, audiologist, physician assistant, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, or specialize in blindness and low vision rehabilitation, Salus not only has what it takes for you to succeed and thrive as a student and future healthcare professional but also provides a welcoming, inclusive family- like atmosphere with a small student to teacher ratio. The extensive hands-on experience gained in the university’s clinics, including where I practice, The Eye Institute or TEI, ensures an unmatched clinical training program thanks to the wonderful patients that we see and treat on a daily basis. At The Eye Institute, there’s really no such thing as a routine eye exam, your extensive on and off campus hands-on experience will truly prepare you for anything that you may encounter in your career. And if you would like to pursue post-graduate training or specialization, Salus also offers many great residency programs. For example, my department has a Neuro-ophthalmic disease residency program which is the first and only one of its kind. During your time at Salus, you too will become an integral part of your patients or clients health care team. Our interdisciplinary approach is truly a benefit to both student learning and patient quality of life. So come join the Salus family. I look forward to seeing you on campus, no matter which program you choose, will help shape you into a health care professional who like many of our alumni around the world continue to make us proud. Okay, well, you’ve heard a faculty perspective now let’s hear what some students have to say about their Salus experience. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Dr. Malloy. Recruiting and retaining world-class faculty is just one of the features that make Salus truly unique when compared to other healthcare institutions, beyond the textbook they can all educate from their own experiences in their respective field. Thanks again for that, bye Dr. Malloy.
Now it’s time to meet Zachary, a second year Doctor of audiology student and Sierra, a first-year audiology student. Zachary is a Philly native who already knew all of the potential packed into Philly’s prime location. Sierra on the other hand had to travel a little bit farther to attend Salus and become a local in the Philadelphia area, which is known as a leader in the healthcare industry, as well as a recreational hotspot offering easy access to city life, wildlife, basically anything you crave. Relocating from Oregon to become a Salus student is a move Sierra will never forget nor regret. Please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. What’s up everybody. With a city that has so much to offer, it’s no surprise that Philadelphia is one of the leaders in the healthcare field, attracting students from both near and far, just outside of Philadelphia in a smaller part of town is a university with a big attitude, Salus University. Salus University isn’t just your average university, it seeks those with passion, those who value hard work and dedication. Philadelphia, the city I call home and the place so many others seek out for its rich tradition and countless shall opportunities in the healthcare field. A city built on hard work, passion and a diehard fan base, Sko birds. Philadelphia is anything but ordinary. Whether it’s the city life you seek or a quiet place to enjoy nature, Philadelphia provides countless opportunities for all to find. If you ask a local Philly guy like me, choosing Salus wasn’t hard, especially with a great opportunity right down the street. The university located in the Mecca of healthcare, local to some of the greatest hospitals and medical facilities combined with hands-on experience from day one, Salus university makes no excuses when it comes to providing the most for students. Those who come from near and far. Hey Sierra.
– Hey Zach.
– Tell us a little bit of how you came up from the West coast to come to Salus.
– Yeah, absolutely. So I’ve always been such a home body, staying near my home town of Portland, Oregon. So when the opportunity to attend Salus came along, it really rocked my world. But how often in life can you pack up everything you own, drive over 3000 miles across eight States and experience an entirely new world? I’d only been to the East coast one other time before moving to the Philadelphia area but I fell in love instantly. Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the United States so there’s always something to learn and explore. Remember back to your fourth grade history class when you learned how Betsy Ross made the American flag we know today? You can set foot right into her sewing room. Or how about Valley forge for George Washington set up camp during the revolutionary war? Well, I just took my dog on a walk there last weekend and whenever I’m missing home, I had the opportunity to see the breathtaking beauty of the Pocono mountains, or if I’m in the mood for some city lights, downtown Philadelphia is the ideal location. The best part about living here is you’re so close to so many other States and major cities such as New York, Washington DC, Boston, Baltimore and the Jersey shore. You can visit a new place almost every weekend when you’re a Salus student. That way, when your clinical rotations begin, you’ve already fallen in love with your next adventure. Back to you, Alex.
– You said it guys, from East to West coast, Salus students share the love for Philly, quickly feeling at home, not just in the city of brotherly love but also at the university, a whole community in itself. Thanks again for sharing that guys.
All right everyone, next let’s meet Ashka, a second year Doctor of optometry student, whose Salus experience has taken her from elementary school classrooms, providing care to local children, to places abroad, where students are able to practice patient care skills while treating an underserved population. She is gonna tell us about all of the opportunities she has had as a healthcare student to help people, both near and far through a myriad of special projects offered right here at Salus. Take it away Ashka.
– Hi there. One of the best resources at Salus University and its clinical facility offers is access to the patient population of greater Philadelphia. This exposure really helps prepare us for the real world and for the number of conditions we will see in our future careers. Some of the services that our clinical facilities offer include eyecare for adults, children, inocula emergencies, contact lens services, low vision and vision rehabilitation, dry eye disease management and care for multisensory conditions. Locally students will visit preschools and elementary schools to screen children’s vision, hearing and speech needs and provide volunteers for the areas where non hospitals. In this sense, not only are Salus students learning but we’re giving back to the very community in which we live. Student organizations on campus will also host events to incorporate hospitals and companies into our curriculum and patient base. One of our favorite optometry student events hosted by our colleges blinds club is Lens-a-thon, where students can practice reading the prescriptions of donated eyeglasses. This event not only benefits the Salus optometry students in allowing them to practice their lensometry skills but also benefits the underrepresented population who may need eyeglasses, but may not exactly have the means of obtaining a pair on their own. Then we have externships that we take part in, in our third and fourth years that give us a chance to really branch out of our comfort zones. We’ve had some students travel to Hawaii, India and even Japan in order to provide care, not only are these externships a requirement for us to graduate but they’re also an incredible opportunity for us to really be able to reach into the diverse or even underserved communities at home and abroad. One of the greatest things that this opportunity provides is the chance to bring care to patients who never really knew that they were in need of it. These individuals may go about their day thinking as if everything is fine, when really there is so much going on with their eyes and their overall health, this creates such an amazing opportunity for us to be able to give them the chance to improve their quality of life and that smile, with their reaction to seeing better for the first time is unforgettable. A lot of studying to become a doctor or healthcare provider revolves around the patient doctor relationship and when a skilled individual is able to help someone in this manner, that is a connection that is worth cherishing. Now let’s send it back to Alex.
– Ashka, great job. I can’t imagine how it feels to know you have the skills to help people worldwide. That’s incredible, from the universities three clinical facilities to community outreach and special projects, both nationally and internationally. You are already immersed in the world of healthcare. That is awesome. Thanks again Ashka.
Okay everyone, next let’s please welcome Tavii, a second year occupational therapy student and first year OTD student who will share with us about student life and diversity at Salus university. Tavii has been so enmeshed in student life at Salus that when she saw an unmet need at the university, she helped co-found a group to address that need. Let’s hear all about it. Tavii.
– Thank you for the introduction Alex. Here at Salus, all your focus doesn’t have to be on the academic side. Trust me, there’ll be plenty of time to devote to your studies. There are also many opportunities to be involved socially. You can participate in student council, become a student ambassador or join the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. I participated in the peer mentoring program, my first year as a mentee and my second as a mentor. Coming into a new environment can be challenging on its own. The mentoring program made the transition so much easier. Having a peer who was in your shoes only a short while ago is such a blessing. All my worries and anxious thoughts were settled by the answers my mentor kindly gave. As an added bonus, the program put together social events on an off campus to better the relationship between the mentor and the mentee. There are also many organizations to join such as Hearts in Motion. The Student Occupational Therapy Association or Nosa, the National Optometry Student Association. I particularly took interest in Salus Christian fellowship and eventually became vice-president my first year. Not only did we host our weekly Bible study sessions but we actually went out in a community to serve as others and to hang out. Here at Salus, you can build true friendships, interacting with people from other professions that you would’ve never met otherwise from your regular classes. But if you still aren’t sure Salus has exactly what you’re looking for, then you’ll be happy to know that you can bring all your wonderful ideas here and create an organization of your own and host events within it. A group of us saw a need being unmet here at Salus and decided to start the Black Student Union. We wanted a safe space for us black minorities to be able to gather, discuss our feelings about current events and have our own platform for our voices to be heard by the Salus community. The induction process was a breeze and although we are a new organization, we already have a variety of supporters. It is amazing to see the appreciation and respect that was received all around. So here at Salus, all are welcome and able to express themselves freely. Won’t you come join us. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you Tavii. We appreciate you opening up and telling us about the many opportunities to engage in student life at Salus that can provide a much needed break from your very intensive studies. Cheers Tavii.
Okay, everyone so Loyola students don’t have to choose between focused, effective career preparation or the profound benefits of a liberal arts education. They receive both here. Okay, let’s head over and meet Edik at the Ridley Athletic Complex. Edik is a captain of the men’s tennis team and an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar studying marketing and communication. He’ll talk about Greyhound’s athletics, Loyola compete in the Patriot League and several teams have made NCAA championship appearances with the men’s lacrosse winning it all in 2012. When they’re not giving their all on the court, field or in the pool they’re upholding academic excellence with one of the highest graduation success rates and overall GPA’s for division one athletes in the country. All right, Edik, you’re on.
– Thanks Alex. Since I first picked up a racket, I’ve always wanted to play tennis at a university with great facilities, top-notch academics and a strong athletic tradition. I thought it’d be difficult to find a place where I could compete at the D1 level, get a rigorous education and find mentorship I need to succeed at both until I visited Loyola. Loyola’s Ridley Athletic Complex is an amazing place for student athletes and fans to experience Greyhound athletics. Loyola’s 18 intercollegiate teams compete in the prestigious Patriot League, have multiple league titles, NCAA tournament appearances, and a national championship in men’s lacrosse. And I can’t say enough about our gifted coaches and dedicated trainers. But there’s more Loyola than it’s celebrated athletic tradition. We all benefit from an incredibly nurturing academic environment. Loyola student athlete graduation rate consistently ranks in the top five nationally amongst D1 schools. I’ve benefited from small classes, team oriented learning approach, and professors who are committed to providing students life-changing opportunities. To the recommendations of my professors and coaches. I’ve served on the honor council, been an ambassador at the Navy Leadership Conference, received the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar award, and interned with the United States Tennis Association. The Greyhounds have the largest heart of any dog and the Loyola Greyhounds are an undeniable force on the playing field, in the classroom, and in the community. That’s because Loyola provides individualized support that allows students to pursue their passions and define success for themselves. Loyola has positioned me to succeed on and off court. As a senior majoring in marketing and minor in communications, I’ll pursue an emerging leaders MBA in the Sellinger School of Business after completing my bachelor’s degree, the next step to prepare me for a life of success and service. That’s my story, back to you, Alex.
– Well done Edik. Thank you for sharing with us your experience as a student athlete at Loyola University, Maryland, and the fact that you’re gonna pursue a master’s degree in business administration at Loyola next year just shows how you’ve defined goals and success for yourself on and off the court. Congrats on all your accomplishments and keep up that serve. Okay, everyone so I’ve heard a little about what life is like on Loyola’s campus.