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.
You all are gonna love this next segment. One of the things Loyola students say sets their experience apart is this search for the why. Students here are pursuing a degree but they’re also actively reflecting and challenging themselves to define why and what they hope to do when they go into the world. Let’s Mia, an education major with a special education minor. Mia is a senior and her story brings to life Loyola’s motto, “Strong truths well lived.” Over to you Mia.
– Hi, everyone. I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted a college experience that would prepare me for a career in education and a place that made me feel at home. Loyola provided both and much more. The close knit community has made me feel at home, whether I’m walking around campus or meeting new people and I’m lucky to say that I made lifelong friends here. Something I love about Loyola’s education program is how often and how early students gain teaching experience. My very first semester I was going into a local school every week, observing and leading groups of students. Through required courses I was enrolled in a unique subject focus field experience almost every semester. I’m applying my studies by writing and teaching lessons as well as receiving valuable feedback from my professors. Loyola’s motto “Strong truths well lived,” has led me to discover what matters most to me and inspires me to seek out these things that I love in my daily life. I’ve grown so much personally and deepenED the passion I’ve always had for teaching and helping others through my involvement on campus. Joining Loyola’s dance company and becoming a dance teacher has helped me gain confidence and develop leadership skills that’ll apply to my future classroom.
– [All] House! Loyola provides so many opportunities to engage in service and I was thrilled to bring my passion for teaching to volunteer in local elementary schools and leadership positions and the education honor society, Kappa Delta Pi. Loyola’s education program and opportunities for involvement are preparing me for my senior year internship and my future career. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to grow not only academically, but also personally and I value all that I have learned at Loyola. Back to you Alex.
– Thank you, Mia. It’s clear you’re a born educator and I have a feeling your students are in for a great experience with you as their teacher. The classroom experience you’ve gained through your program, the opportunities you’ve had to serve and teach dance and the experience you’ve had beyond your courses are preparing you for an incredible future. Thank you so much for sharing your story. That was fantastic.
Now we’ll head to the Fitness and Aquatic Center and hear from Ben, a sophomore communications major who’ll talk about campus life. 80% of undergraduate students live on campus through their senior year, which is awesome. And unlike many urban college campuses, Loyola offers the best of two worlds. With 81 wooded acres the campus feels distinct from the surrounding city, with all the perks of a city location. Ben, take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. What’s up everyone? I’m a lover of photography and the nature meets urban setting of Loyola’s evergreen campus paints the perfect picture. Even though I grew up right here in Baltimore, I still decided to live on campus. Loyola’s residence halls are ranked among the best in the country by the Princeton Review 10 years running. I can cook dinner in our apartment kitchen and study and hang out with friends in are awesome common areas. And if I don’t feel like cooking Loyola’s dining services dish up fresh seasonal foods from smoothies to sushi, to local favorites like crab cakes. Not to mention all the off campus dining options around campus and in Baltimore. Through, Messina, Loyola’s first-year program, all students live and learn with a group of their peers for their first year. Having roommates who were also classmates helped me transition to college life and really set the tone for my time at Loyola. With so many students living on campus all four years there is a true feeling of community every night and weekend. Loyola provides all kinds of things for me to do on campus beyond my classes. I can attend performances at McManus Theater, check out the latest art show in the fine art gallery or head to the Fitness and Aquatic Center and shoot some hoops, scale the rock wall, or sign up for a hiking or canoe trip at the Outdoor Adventure. There is so much to learn and experience at Loyola. Not only am I learning the skills I needed for my career in communications and digital media, but I’m also getting to enjoy my home away from home on Loyola’s beautiful campus. I’m proud to call myself a Greyhound. Well, that’s all for me. Back to you Alex.
– Great job, Ben. Thanks for sharing a snapshot of life at Loyola and your experience with Messina. It’s pretty cool that you consider campus your home away from home even as a sophomore. I just don’t know how you find the time to make dinner with your roommates, attend events on campus and hit the FAC on top of the classes. Absolutely incredible. Thanks again for that. All right everyone, next we’ll hear about student life and all the ways you can get involved at Loyola.
Next we turn to Amitoj. She’s double majoring in political science and emerging technology in business and design. And she has an interesting story about how an advisor in Miami University’s Career Center helped her land an internship at a major company. Take it away Amitoj.
– Hi everyone. My favorite part of my Miami journey thus far has been the mentorship and opportunities I’ve been able to receive. My two mentors on campus are Dr. Christina Carrubba-Whetstine. the director of the Rinella Learning Center and Mr. Michael Turner, my career advisor at Miami’s Career Center. Being a woman of color, a first-generation American and a first-generation college student means that there’s a lot of imposter syndrome in my life. But through my relationship with these two phenomenal individuals, I am able to rise above that and realize every day that I can do anything I set my mind to. Through the support of Christina, I was able to co-found Miami University’s Women of Color And Excellence Group. Starting a completely new organization amidst a global pandemic is pretty challenging, but being able to know when to step up as a leader and more importantly, knowing when to step back and allow others to shine has set a precedent for leadership and advocacy for the rest of my life. Being empowered is great, but being able to empower others is phenomenal. Speaking of my career, I recently interned for Dominion Energy and I have one person to thank for this, Mr. Michael Turner. One day, just a few hours before Dominion Energy’s application for their diversity and energy conference was due, Mr. Turner sent me an email encouraging me to apply. I thought this was pretty weird. I had never saw myself as a fit for corporate America, but I applied nonetheless because of how well Mr. Turner knew me. After attending this conference, I fell in love with Dominion Energy and learned how to market myself as a professional and ended up scoring a public policy internship with Dominion Energy. And I’m already getting recruited by a top four company for next summer. None of this would have been possible without my mentors here at Miami University who believed in me from day one that I could be in rooms that I never imagined I could be. Miami University has taught me not only to love and honor others, but to love and honor myself. And this is why I’m forever grateful to be a Red Hawk. Now, back to you Alex.
– Great job Amitoj. Your stories prove how mentorship can make all the difference in the world. And at Miami they obviously work to ensure that students from all majors get the same level of career preparation. We can’t wait to see what you do next Amitoj. You’re an inspiration to first-generation students everywhere. Thanks again for that.
That was fantastic. Okay. So we’ve talked a lot about what it’s like to learn here at Mines, but of course, we can’t forget about Mines’ top ranked national championship winning athletics program. We’re gonna meet up with Kat, who recently got her bachelor’s degree from Mines, but is back pursuing a master’s degree in operations research. She’s also on the track and field team, and is gonna walk us through what it’s like to be an Oredigger athlete. Kat, you’re up.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. My older sister went to Mines. And after spending Thanksgiving and winter breaks watching her play Oredigger basketball, I knew Mines was the school for me. But I didn’t just want to follow in her footsteps, so I chose a different university. I immediately knew I made a mistake and quickly transferred to Mines, and it has been one of the best decisions I have made. I found a strong tight-knit community of athletes who are willing to welcome me in and help me navigate being a student athlete, sitting next to me in classes, and forming late night study groups after practice. My coaches and fellow athletes pushed me to expand my circle, where organizations like Blue Key, undergraduate student government, and more welcomed me and other athletes in with open arms to make Mines a better place. Here at Mines, athletes win on and off the field. Last year, our teams accounted for more than seven Rocky mountain athletic conference championships, more than 20 individual RMAC champions, winning the All Sports Cup five years running, and five of our teams had the highest GPA in the RMAC. Not to mention, our men’s cross country team won the national championship in 2015 and 2019, while also boasting the highest GPA in those seasons. Many of our athletes are RMAC, all academic team members, all Americans, and we can always count on a summit award winner or two, which is given to the athlete competing with the highest GPA at our conference tournaments. Orediggers sure know how to stay ahead of the game. In addition to our varsity teams, our club sports teams strive for excellence as well. We have so many opportunities for students to get involved, from soccer, to water polo, to rugby. They consistently compete against larger schools like CEU, CSU, and DU, while getting bids to the national championship as well. Mines athletic prepares every student athlete for life after college. Our coaches, administration, and professors work hard to ensure that we’re ready to succeed. Competing in one of the hardest conferences in D2 while getting a STEM degree teaches each and every one of us at Mines what it means to persevere and push through anything thrown your way. Now throwing it back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Kat. Those views from the stadium are incredible. Thanks for sharing your experiences as an athlete, and all the opportunities you were able to pursue here at Mines. We can’t wait to see where life takes you next. Take care, Kat.