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.
Now, we have talked about students at Goucher following their passions a couple times now, but here to talk more about that is Rachel, a Literature Major and Philosophy and Creative Writing Double Minor. She’s gonna let us know how Goucher empowers students to become who they’re meant to be through support and opportunities. Over to you, Rachel.
– Thanks, Alex. Hello everyone. I’m a disabled college student. Disabled college students do not get a lot of media representation and people tend to forget about us as a population, but we’re here, we wanna learn, and have fun, and generally have the college experience. At Goucher, I’ve been able to do all of these things because of the warm, collaborative community. I’ve had opportunities here to do things I never dreamed were possible. I’m on the leadership team of Equal Access, Goucher’s student run advocacy and support group focusing on students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental illnesses, neuro divergencies, and learning differences. I studied abroad in France, acted in a French play, wrote a fiction piece about a zombie apocalypse that takes in a Wawa Convenience Store, all during my time here, and through all of this, the Goucher community, professors, staff, and students have stood by me and supported me. Goucher is a place that both accepts you for who you are and helps you grow into the person that you want to be. It’s the first place I felt safe and comfortable truly being myself. Coming from a competitive high school, it was just amazing to find a place where everyone is genuinely rooting for each other to succeed. Goucher has helped me get to a point in my life where I’m ready to go out into the world. I’ve gained so much confidence, I’ve made lifelong friends, and I’m working towards a career in disability advocacy. My journey has not always been easy. There’s still so many barriers to accessibility that need to be dismantled. But the Goucher community has helped me to keep going and find the strength to fight against these challenges. Thank you so much for watching everyone, I hope you all have a lovely day. Now, back to you, Alex.
– Incredible, Rachel, with everything you have overcome, what an inspirational story. Thank you, you are already doing great things at Goucher and I’m sure you’re gonna go on to do so many more amazing things. I’m so glad Goucher gives students the time, space, and opportunity to follow their passions and find their true self. Cheers, Rachel.
Do you have an idea you like to bring to life, an invention or business to improve your community? Illinois Tech signature Interprofessional Projects Program allows you to work with a team of student to solve real world problems. Chemical engineering, student Bilal and this team, are working on a startup company and he’s here to tell us all about it. Bilal, please take it away.
– Thanks for the intro Alex, hi everyone. Illinois Tech has always had an influential position in my life. With my dad once being professor here, I spent most of my summers sitting in his office, peering outside his window, watching students walk by, little did I know that one day I would be one of them. In my opinion, one of the most fascinating aspects of the university has severe Interprofessional Projects Program, also known as IPRO. IPRO classes bring students of all different majors along with faculty and industry professionals together to solve real world issues, whether that be working with robots or designing greenhouses, there’s an exciting project for every student to work on. I believe this program truly allows students to find their passion, gain leadership skills and truly learn to innovate, to solve real world problems. Take me for example, last I took a course called social innovation design and I got the chance to create and lead my own group in a project. After I finished the course, I recruited a larger team composed of all university undergrad students. Steming from engineering, applied mathematics, economics and computer science. From there, we spent weeks researching and interviewing professionals to truly develop our idea into something with more impact and meaning. And once we establish that, we decide to create our very own startup company. Our company is called Square1, and our goal is to create a web application to help connect minority homeless youth in Chicago area with local resources. With the help and support of the university, my team and I are currently in the pro creating very first prototype of the app. It’s truly amazing to think that our hard work and effort, while still being students, has a potential to create such a positive change in the world. That’s all for me, sending it back to you, Alex.
– What an inspiring story Bilal, that is amazing. At Illinois Tech, students do more than learn, they learn to do and create. Here, you’ll gain an entrepreneurial mindset that will help you become a leader in the next generation, thanks again.
Illinois Tech is big on experiences. It takes them so seriously that Illinois Tech guarantees all students, internships, research projects, and other awesome ends on experiences through its one of a kind Elevate Program. Seth, a mechanical engineering major, had a life changing internship at NASA and he’s participating in Illinois Tech accelerated master’s program, which allows him to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as few as five years, that is amazing. Seth, please take it away.
– Thank you Alex. Hey everyone. There were two things that set me on the path of becoming an engineer, reading comics with my father and my AP physics class. Both inspired me to make a change using both math and science. I transferred to Illinois Tech as an third year and immediately join student organizations. I found my closest friends in the National Society of Black Engineers in the Black Student Union. Now I serve as a student leader, helping those who are once in my shoes adjust. Student leadership has been an amazing experience for me. Seeing students make new friends and having a good time fosters a sense of family within the university. As a leader, the students I help continue to push me to be better. My peers inspired me to apply for the accelerated master’s program. This gave me an opportunity for an internship at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, working on an interplanetary space flight mission. Working at JPL was a dream come true, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my student orgs. My time at NASA and as a student leader have grown my technical and interpersonal abilities far more than I could imagine. I’m truly grateful to the school and the student that have helped me pave my way to a successful future. I’ve been blessed with an opportunity to further my education to the fullest. The accelerated master’s program made my internship possible, the student community helped me adjust and become a great leader, and the faculty helped me find my passion. Thanks to the combination of these experiences, I’m confident that I have what it takes to elevate my future. That’s me in a nutshell, over to you, Alex.
– That is so cool Seth. It’s truly amazing how many experiential opportunities you’ll find at Illinois Tech from internships to student groups and team projects. What’s more, you don’t have to wait. You can begin taking part in them in your very first year. Like Seth, this sets you up for even more hands on upper opportunities down the road. Talk about paying it forward for yourself, cheers Seth.
Okay, it’s time to talk about an education that’s truly out of this world. Andy is an aerospace engineering student whose passion for space exploration founded a launching pad right here at Illinois Tech. Andy credits her professors with preparing her to land amazing internships, including one where she worked on the largest aircraft in the world. It is time for a lift off, Andy, please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. What’s up beautiful people. After graduating in the 2008 recession, working 10 years of jobs I’ve hated. I started volunteering at the Adler Planetarium, going back to my old love of space exploration. While on maternity leave, I watched the Falcon 9 land on the Of Course I Still Love You drone ship and I knew I had to be part of that world. Illinois Tech was the only school in Chicago that offered what I wanted in aerospace engineering. The faculty here care about your success and they know who you are. My professors have been incredibly understanding when issues arose with my young daughter, Zoe, or when I was diagnosed with cancer. Without my professors, I wouldn’t be a USRA scholar, a NASA space grant recipient or a Brook Owens fellow. Without them, I wouldn’t have worked on the largest aircraft in the world over the summer at Stratolaunch, or started working toward my private pilot license. Thanks to the support of this school, I was able to start Illinois Tech Rocketry, a team of students who wanted to get their hands dirty and build rockets. Within six months, we put up the school’s first high powered rocket. We have a small space now, but future students will be able to build bigger and fly higher because what’s the point of carving a path if others can’t follow? I am all about space exploration, be it building rockets or working on space habitats, I wanna be part of the future. I want other moms to see what I’ve done and follow their dreams. I wanna show my daughter, Zoe, that not even the sky is a limit for her. Thanks to Illinois Tech, I can. That’s my story, back to you Alex.
– What an exciting journey. Thanks Andy. It’s so inspiring to see how students at Illinois Tech receive personalized attention and support in addition to an amazing education and access to hands on experiential learning opportunities. Talk about taking your future to the next level. Absolutely incredible, take care.