Loyola offers 40 majors and 50 minors at the undergraduate level. And as we’ll hear from Fatima, a junior biochemistry major with a minor in studio arts, Greyhounds gain both depth of knowledge and breadth of experience and the personal attention and mentorship that fosters success. Over to you Fatima.
– Thanks Alex and hi, friends. Growing up in Jersey city, an incredibly diversity where I was surrounded by different religions, ideals, and cultures, I wanted a college experience that offers an intersectionality of experiences and academic subjects. I’m studying biochemistry and I’m in the pre-dental track through Loyola’s pre-health programs. My dream is to become a pediatric dentist. While my love for science is still strong, Loyola’s liberal arts core curriculum gave me a unique chance to explore other subjects. I’ve discovered a passion for social science and the arts and I’ve decided to minor in studio arts. The science department faculty goes above and beyond with their time and their knowledge helping me master difficult material. I know my professors well and can lean on them for support throughout and beyond my college career. My studio arts professors encourage me to embrace my identity and my Filipino culture, helping me get involved in activities and realize my potential. This support extends beyond my classes and to everything that I’m involved in here. I am a part of the chapel choir and Loyola Bells, an acapella group. Both allow me to be myself doing something that I love while providing an outlet during stressful academic times. ♪ Oh they’re welcome ♪ I also engage with the community through Loyola’s Center for Community Service and Justice, tutoring high school students. Loyola’s liberal arts education has allowed me to expand my thinking and make connections across disciplines in ways I could not have imagined. The unconditional support and attention from faculty and students creates an environment that I can only compare to my home and my family. Thanks to Loyola I have found my passions and my second home. Back to you, Alex.
– Fatima, thank you for taking us through your academic experience here at Loyola. Your story about discovering new ways to make connections between seemingly unrelated subjects is phenomenal. With the support of faculty and the distinctive education you’re receiving through the pre-health program, I know you’ll make a fantastic pediatric dentist someday. Thanks again, Fatima.
And now we’re gonna hear about life beyond campus. Lauren is a junior studying history and double minoring in American studies and education. And she’s gonna share just a few of the many things there are to love about going to college in Baltimore. There are 160,000 students at 13 schools in Baltimore, making it very much a college town. Take it away Lauren.
– Thank you, Alex. I grew up in Connecticut, close to New York City and I wanted a college experience with the culture and resources of a city. When I visited Loyola, I loved the location in Baltimore and the emphasis on student involvement and engagement in the city. Baltimore’s the perfect college town, there’s something for everyone. It’s affordable, easy to navigate and fun. If you’re a sports fan like me, you can catch an Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards, one of the most beautiful stadiums in the country and cheer on the Ravens during football season. The inner harbor is home to the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, and a scenic waterfront where my friends and I love to rent paddle boats. As a history major, I’m always looking for museums to visit. I love that the Baltimore Museum of Art is a short walk from Loyola’s campus. And for all the foodies, Baltimore’s home to the best crab cakes, farmer’s markets, food trucks, and gourmet restaurants. Another perk is Baltimore’s proximity to Washington, DC, just a 30 minute train ride away. Many students and alumni choose to pursue internship and job opportunities right here in Baltimore since it has all the benefits of a big city with a small town feel. With 250 unique neighborhoods, it’s impossible to run out of things to do and places to see. It’s no wonder they call Baltimore charm city. There’s a crab mac and cheese calling my name. Back to you, Alex.
– Lauren, that was amazing and so is that waterfront view. How great that you’ve been able to get off campus and really explore and discover Baltimore during your time at Loyola. It seems like such a great place to go to college. Thanks for telling us more about what Baltimore has to offer in terms of culture, history, outdoor activities, festivals, and more. That was great Lauren.
All right everyone, let’s jump into another incredible program, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment. A remarkable 25% of students receive a full tuition scholarship. Up first, we have Tressa, the school’s director here to tell us how music legend, Jay-Z, formed an unprecedented partnership with LIU that allows students to engage directly with some of the entertainment industry’s greatest talents. After that, Tyler, a freshman in the program, will share more about his experiences coming into the program. Tressa, why don’t you start us off?
– Thanks, Alex. I’m excited to introduce you to the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment, a partnership with Jay Z’s global entertainment company, Roc Nation. From the start, students are set up for success. They study with leading faculty and visiting artists and entrepreneurs. Students enjoy a broad range of unique electives like the business of Shawn Carter, the monetization of music, and women in music, that are available only here at LIU’s Roc Nation School. And learning’s not limited to the classroom. Our internship program allows students to gain practical experience while forging meaningful relationships within the entertainment and sports industries. With the Hope scholars program, LIU is breaking down barriers to education by providing full tuition scholarships to 25% of each incoming class. All right, you’ve heard enough from me. Let’s see what Tyler has to say.
– Thanks, Tressa. I always wanted to be a performer and I searched for a one of a kind supportive learning experience. Then I found LIU’s Roc Nation School. Now, I’m learning from the best, studying the history of hip hop with the legendary producer, 9th Wonder, and created promotion in media with the top ad agency, Wieden+Kennedy. Just this year, I engaged with over 15 amazing innovators in the industry, the NBA commissioner and the executives from Netflix, Fanatics and Roc Nation. And how could I forget, I spotted Megan the Stallion on campus. When I’m not in class, I work at a canteen, The official Roc Nation store developed for students by students. We model the merchandise, we work the store and 100% of the proceeds go back to supporting fellow Roc Nation students. New York City is my campus. Just being a few minutes from top venues like the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Barclay Center, I don’t just learn about music and culture, I experience it back to you, Alex.
– Thanks Tressa and Tyler. The Roc Nation School is unbelievable. Exposure to so many world class entertainers and executives is such an amazing learning experience. It’s opening so many doors for talented students. Maybe the next Jay-Z will come from the Roc Nation School. Thanks again, Tressa and Tyler.
Let’s turn things over to Samantha, a forensic science and chemistry major in the prestigious Honors College. With nearly 60 years of history, the LIU Honors College is one of the oldest of its kind in America. Samantha will share the amazing benefits of this program and how it challenges her to be her best. It’s all yours, Samantha.
– Thanks Alex. And what’s up, everybody? Long Island University has afforded me the opportunity to spend four years in a prestigious academic environment. Through the Honors College, I was able to pursue my passion of forensic science while taking advantage of the amazing academic opportunities in a dynamic learning community. Being in the Honors College means even smaller class sizes, which is great for making connections with my professors. I’m so honored to be learning from some of the most brilliant faculty, including those who helped me fall in love with LIU as a new student. As an honor student, I get the takes in the most interesting classes that compliment my major and allow me to score other areas I am passionate about. That same passion has led me to add chemistry as a double major. I’m also so excited to be writing my honors thesis on probabilistic genotyping. Learning as an honor student happens outside the classroom as well. I was given the opportunity to travel to Iceland on a faculty-led study abroad experience. I got to spend 10 days learning about Icelandic culture and what makes them one of the happiest countries in the world. We also get to call the Honors Village home for our close-knit community. Set in a beautiful historic mansion, the village gives us a space to learn and collaborate with one another. It’s also a great place to socialize. The village room is my favorite spot to hang with friends. The Honors College has given me the skills and confidence to excel in the classroom, and as leader on campus. I’m so thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given and the relationships that I have formed with peers and professors. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds. That’s all from me. Back to you, Alex.
– What an impressive program. Samantha, you are definitely pushing yourself to achieve great things. And it’s so outstanding that the Honors College creates such a close-knit community. Well done, Samantha. That was great. Cheers.
Emma is up next to share some important Iowa State traditions and tell us her favorite.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. When choosing a college, I had a very specific checklist. I knew I wanted everything that a large university had to offer. The chance to join a sorority, a Division I football team and a location that’s close enough to my parents that they can come visit, but far enough away that it would never be a surprise. Iowa State checked every box. Innovation happens every day on our campus. In our classrooms, labs, student organization meetings. But alongside innovation, tradition also guides some of our closest beliefs and actions. In joining a sorority, attending athletics events, and even just finding myself on campus at the right time, I’ve been immersed in Iowa State traditions. From Yell Like Hell homecoming skits, all the way to singing “Sweet Caroline” after a cyclone win. ♪ Sweet Caroline ♪ ♪ Ba-Ba-Ba ♪ One tradition that guides the behavior of thousands of students every day is the zodiac. In 1929, students decided that if you walked across the zodiac while entering the Memorial Union, you were doomed to fail your next exam. The only way to reverse the curse is to throw a coin into the fountain of the four seasons. If you’ve successfully avoided the zodiac, you will walk right into another one of Iowa State’s most cherish traditions, the Gold Star Hall. Which is a Memorial to students who have lost their lives serving our country. My favorite tradition of all has to be campaniling. Legend has it that you are not a true Iowa Stater until you have kissed your sweetheart underneath the campanile at the stroke of midnight. Now, if you’re wondering, I am not a true Iowa Stater quite yet. Hopefully we will get there by the end of my senior year. Coming to college is about more than just learning in the classroom, it’s about getting to be a part of something much bigger than myself. It’s about ingraining myself in Iowa State’s history and always embracing traditions, both old and new. Isn’t that right, Alex?
– Exactly right, Emma. Traditions are part of the college experience you carry with you into your alumni years. Through stories and continued participation. Take care. There is so much happening at Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Thank
Now let’s head to Grand Canyon University’s incredible basketball arena. We’re now gonna meet up with Jamie Boggs. She is the vice president, athletic director, and she’s excited to talk about what division one athletics should look like. Jamie, the floor is all yours.
– Hi, everyone. I grew up in Phoenix, and he used to come to Grand Canyon University back in the 1990s. I remember the campus being small and modest, and there wasn’t a large student body. After high school, I left the state for graduate school, and also to pursue a career in athletics on the other side of the country. But I would still come home to visit family and come to Phoenix. And I remember on one occasion seeing this brand new state-of-the-art basketball arena, the one I’m standing in right now, but as I started to research GCU, I was surprised at the campus footprint and the growth in the student body, and from an athletic standpoint, the amazing facilities, the direction of the basketball program, and the connection with Jerry Colangelo, who was an icon in our industry. Coincidentally, a couple years later, an opportunity was presented to me to work at GCU and to help the university transition from division two to division one. In our short time as division one members, we have 127 conference championships and numerous academic accolades. I can say with certainty that the reason for our quick start to success is because of the committed support of our university president and our university administration, and the GCU community. Last year, we recently hired two new head coaches for our men’s and women’s programs, Bryce Drew and Molly Miller. In his first season, Bryce Drew led our men’s basketball program to the WAC regular season and tournament championships, as well as the university’s first birth into the NCAA tournament. Molly Miller took over the women’s basketball program and introduce an exciting, fast-paced brand of basketball that led the team to its first appearance in the WAC tournament championship game. Bryce and Molly brought impressive resumes to GCU and found immediate success in their first seasons while implementing faith-based team cultures. We’re excited to have them here to help take our programs to the next level. Our baseball program continues to grow in a positive trajectory and really quickly, and we have big expectations on our Head Baseball Coach, Andy Stankiewicz. And what I love about our coaches, is that they also embody the Christian mission and culture of service of our university. They know that we have everything that it takes to win from a great culture, to commitment from our university to the resources, and we’re ready to get it done. The foundation and fabric of who we are is our Christian mission and our understanding that we are here to serve, that we’re here to be the hands and feet of Christ, and we’re here to glorify Him through our work every day. When I started here several years ago, I thought my role was to come here and show everyone at GCU, what a division one institution is. Instead, I have learned and continue to learn from GCU what a division one institution should be. Back to you, Alex.
– What a story, helping bring GCU to division one. The facilities here are unbelievable, and the student support is second to none. Thank you for walking us through what division one should look like. It’s awesome to see what you’re all doing here. Thanks again, Jamie.
All right. I mentioned Goucher was located just outside of Baltimore, but let’s learn a little more. Next up is Ava, a Visual and Material Culture Major with Minors in Business Management and Sociology who is gonna talk about the local area, including Towson, where the campus is located. There are more than 10 other colleges and universities in the area, making Baltimore a great college town, offering a lot of opportunities and advantages for students. Take it away, Ava.
– Thanks Alex. Hey everyone, and welcome to Baltimore. While academics were an important part of my college search, so was my college’s location. Goucher students like to joke, saying our campus is like a bubble, because it’s so small, quiet, and woodsy, it’s easy to forget you’re in a big city. Goucher is located in Towson, a small suburb of Baltimore. Here, there are many cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as a 4-storey story mall, all within walking distance. Just 20 minutes down the road and you’re in downtown Baltimore. This is home to The Orioles, The Ravens, Fort McHenry and many other awesome attractions. This includes the American Visionary Arts Museum, The National Aquarium, and the Maryland Science Center. And with festivals happening every weekend, farmer’s markets, and great late night eats, there’s always something exciting happening downtown. I’m a huge foodie myself, so this is the perfect place for me. From Old Bay Ice Cream to crab pretzels, there’s something for everyone. And if that isn’t enough, Washington DC is just an hour train ride away, and Philadelphia and New York City are just a few hours from Goucher. Goucher students love to be invested in the community around them. So, our community-based learning office offers many different ways to be engaged in Baltimore. Being so close to Baltimore also opens doors for internships and jobs. There are 12 different colleges in the area with 120,000 college students making this a hub for opportunity. Goucher’s location and emphasis on community outreach make it easy to fall in love with this city. It’s exciting, it’s diverse, it’s quirky, and it’s perfect for college students. I invite you to come and check out this beautiful city. Now back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Ava. It’s great that you are so involved in the local community and that there is so much for Goucher students to explore. The easy access in, not only Baltimore, but also DC and New York is definitely an advantage. Talk about social and career opportunities. And the campus and surrounding neighborhoods are just beautiful. Thanks again for sharing your story. Cheers.
You are gonna love this next segment. Now we’re heading over to the classroom. Next up is Yazan, a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major who’s gonna talk to you a bit about the research opportunities at Goucher. Even though Goucher is a smaller campus, the college has a large number of hands-on undergraduate research opportunities in innovative areas, and they have quite a history in this sciences. Yazan, you’re up.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. When I first started looking for a college, I had no idea what I wanted to major, but I knew that I wanted to be in a career where I could help people with medicine. I heard about Goucher’s stellar Science Pre-Med Program, I decided to apply and see where the road would take me from there. I started my journey at Goucher as a Biochemistry Major with a Pre-Med Concentration and absolutely loved it. The small class sizes and the close connections I made from my professors and peers amplified my college academic experience. We were able to connect with our professors in class, attend office hours, and build a real connection with the faculty. Most of Goucher’s amazing faculty do scientific research year round and I was able to start working on ecological research during the summer after my first year. The Goucher Summer Research Program is an incredible experience, available for all science students interested in research. And there are a lot of fields students can explore. My first year I researched microplastics and Goucher’s water bodies, fish and soil. This past summer, I also participated in the same research program, but this time, explored the field of organic chemistry, where we researched chemical drug delivery methods through light activation. And this was an eyeopening experience on how chemistry and medicine are related. Goucher has a long legacy in the sciences. Did you know that people that discovered the breakthrough for the tuberculosis vaccine first synthesized in amylin insulin and performed the first in vitro fertilization in America all graduated from Goucher. Not to mention, Bill Nye The Science Guy’s mother, who was a world war II codebreaker, also attended Goucher College. All in all, at Goucher, you will be provided with opportunity and guidance to succeed. All of my professors have served as amazing mentors to me and have helped shape who I am today. And now back to you, Alex.
– Wow! From World War 2 code breakers to in vitro fertilization, who knew Goucher had such an impact on the sciences? It seems like Goucher students have easy access to high level research opportunities. Thanks again for sharing your story Yazan. Good luck with your research, it sounds absolutely fascinating. Take care.