Okay, we have one final stop on our tour, the world time performing arts center, we’re theater majors present for full-scale productions per season, and we’re music majors participate in more than 150 performances during the concert season. Shadya is there and she will tell us more about the FIU artsy. She said theater major on the performance track, and now she’s gonna take it away.
Thanks Alex, and hello everyone. I’m a Miami girl born and raised, so FIU was always a school I heard great things about. What I didn’t know until I got here though, were how many opportunities there for actors. It’s extremely important to be exposed to all aspects of theater both on and off stage. We’re offered courses where we get hands on experience, building set pieces, props, costumes, designing lights and sound, and so much more. Our BFA designers have the chance to do internships over the summer in different states with different theaters where they can expand their network and build their portfolio. My favorite part of the year was being able to participate in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. There are my cast and I got to perform in front of hundreds of theater people, do workshops and make amazing connections. There’s also every couple of years, our London study abroad, where you get to travel and immerse yourself in Shakespeare. If you’d rather stay close to home, we do about four productions a year with countless experiences in between. I graduated with five productions under my belt. Right across from theater is the concert hall where I’m standing. The school of music performs here and practices in dedicated music rooms in the back. There are masterclasses throughout the year that are taught from international musicians and scholars. Then there are concerts where you get to show what you’ve learned. If an instrument isn’t calling to you, but sharing music still is, there’s a music business certification. Here you learn how to succeed in the music industry from a business production aspect of it. There’s even a full on recording studio where you get to put your knowledge to the test. If the performing arts aren’t really your scene, there’s a Ratcliffe Art and Design Incubator. There the faculty can teach you about art and history, 3D design and 3D printing, developing alternate solutions to social and commercial challenges, small business coaching, and so much more. There’s onsite studios and mentors there to help guide you throughout the way. FIU doesn’t just want you to succeed they want you to thrive and enjoy the journey along the way, and I know I have. Thanks for joining me, and now it’s back to you Alex.
Great job Shadya, lovers of the arts certainly have plenty to do and learn at FIU. Thank you for sharing your story that was awesome, take care.
Next, we’re gonna head over to the simulation teaching and research center at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences and meet Carlos. He’s a recent grad and critical care nurse who is on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, from flight paramedic to real triumphs nursing grad, Carlos never strayed from his mission, saving lives. Let’s learn more about his story, Carlos.
Thanks Alex, hi everyone and welcome to FIU. Coming to this university has always been a dream ever since I was in high school. And lemme tell you a story how everything started. I grew up with my uncle he was a surgeon, and I remember how much I loved listening to his stories about his work at the hospital. It was at that moment when I knew that medicine and caring for people was the path to follow. I work two jobs while attending to nursing school. One as a flight paramedic, the other for the emergency medical system. When I graduated from nursing school, my dream became a reality. I was accepted to the FIU online program. FIU nursing doctoral program is one of the top 40 in the United States according to the US News and World Report and now we here. In our 20,000 square foot Simulation Teaching and Research Center known as STAR center, it feels like you’re walking into a fully operational clinic and hospital. From a prescribing station, to a 15 bed critical care unit, from primary care clinic offices, to operating room equipped with surgical instrument, the STAR Center gives student a real world, acute and primary health care experience without having to leave the hospital. From the first day I stepped into an operating room, I knew the anesthesia was the path to follow. FIU has one of the top five anesthesia program in the State of Florida. Becoming a nurse anesthetist would be the peak in my academic acumen. I graduated with honors and I was nominated as a realtime student. All my accomplishment were possible because of the incredible staff and nursing professor that were there for me since day one. Today I work as a critical care nurse. Now more than ever, I know that becoming a nurse was the best choice I ever made. Thanks to FIU for helping me become a better professional, and for this opportunity to show my appreciation in such an amazing show like The College Tour. Now back to you Alex, I’m going back to save life and help all those in need.
Awesome, Panther’s got grit does it get any cooler than flight paramedic? I thank you Carlos for your hard work, we are grateful to have nurses like you on the front lines, take care.
Now let’s meet Rahul, a native of India, he is an alumnus who just graduated with a degree in computer science and minors in mathematics and physics. Like many FIU students, Rahul had the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research. He focused on AI and he’s gonna tell us more about his work as well as all the extracurricular activities he enjoyed as a student. Take it away or Rahul.
Hi everyone, I still remember my first year at FIU coming from the other side of the world, my transitioning to the US was made smooth with the friends I made while living on campus at Panther hall. To pay it forward I became a resident assistant at Parkview Hall, which was the defining part of my FIU experience. As an RA, I assisted first year honors students to navigate FIU and develop meaningful friendships. One of the best parts about living on campus is that you can be involved right outside your room. I organized the first annual involvement fair for honors students living on campus. And in my junior year, I became the homecoming prince and attended several parades around Miami, representing FIU and meeting the local community. FIU is an emerging preeminent research university, which means it has a huge focus on academic research. As an undergraduate student, I had the chance to work on cutting edge artificial intelligence research at the cognac lab at Dr. Mark Finlayson. The faculty and staff at FIU are committed to the success of their students. My academic advisor gives me a chance to help my peers, by tutoring computer science courses through the academic success initiative. What started as a part-time tutoring job became an opportunity to gain leadership skills. But only did I lead a team of 20 tutors, the ability to have so many fellow students was immensely rewarding. FIU puts an equal emphasis on student involvement, which I saw early on at tabling events in the Graham center. My involvement with various student organizations shaped the way I perceived college. To pursue my passion for music, I joined university of the singers and perform at concerts at the school of music in downtown Miami. This was a dream come true, as I never thought I would be able to do all that while studying computer science. The college of engineering and computing is as real as it gets, put hands on activities like building race cars with Panther Motorsports, and participating in Shell Hacks, Florida’s largest hackathon, student organizations like Upsilon Pi Epsilon and driving the Miami tech movement. I benefited greatly from the practical learning programs, exploitive they recruited an app for the local community and CS4s where we taught elementary school students how to code. One of the best things about FIU is that you can get a world-class education at the same time as having fun. Today I’m a data scientist at Dell technologies, and this wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing experience I had during my time at FIU. That’s my story, what’s next Alex?
Great job Rahul, you really kept busy as an undergrad from working in AI, in the lab, to homecoming prince, I can’t think of a better college experience, and congrats on your new job at Dell we can’t wait to see what you accomplish, take care.
Next let’s go talk to Brian, who is an active duty military officer studying law. The military holds a special place on FIUs campus. The office of Veteran and Military Affairs is headquartered in the oldest and most cherished building on campus. A former airport tower where the university got its start, when it was founded on an abandoned airfield. Nearby is the Felsberg Veterans Plaza which pays tribute to FIU veterans. It is named after FIU alumnus Paul Michael Felsberg, who died in 2004 while serving with the US Marine Corps in Iraq. Brian, you’re on.
Thanks Alex, hi everyone, my name’s Brian Hernandez and I’m a third year evening law student here at FIU college of law and I’m also an active duty military officer. After serving over 20 years in the army I decided to finally pursue my lifetime goal of going to law school. I knew it’d be challenging being an evening student while balancing being a soldier, a father and a husband. Over the past three years I’ve had the opportunity to meet a great group of fellow law students, with similar situations like mine all juggling a thousand things just so they can pursue their dream of being a lawyer. And thanks to the great support here at FIU law, and each other, we can make those dreams a reality. Now lemme tell you a couple of great things about FIU law. First it South Florida’s only public law school and it’s in the top 50 public law schools in the entire country. This is because of its outstanding faculty, its rigorous academic program and its dedication to make sure that students are prepared to pass the bar exam and graduation. One way that FIU prepares its students to become lawyers is through its various experienced learning programs such as our immigration clinic and our community law clinic. These clinics provide students the opportunity to get hands on experience working with attorneys with real clients on real world legal issues. Additionally, the school has a community law clinic which provides general legal assistance and teaches students how to be able to advocate on behalf of clients in areas that have limited means to be able to get the right legal assistance. But one reason why I’m proud to be part of FIU is how supportive the university, the faculty, and the students are for those of us in uniform, our veterans coming out of uniform, and students plan to join our military. FIU has a robust reserve officer training program, which prepares students for service in the armed forces and also following graduation. And for our veterans, FIU is absolutely the right place. The school has an incredible veterans and military affairs office, which helps veterans transition from military life to life as a college student. Throughout my military career I’ve had the honor to lead thousands of men and women in both peacetime and combat. And there is no better feeling than being part of a great team. That’s what you feel here at FIU, back to you Alex.
Great work being done at the immigration and community lawyering clinics Brian, thank you for sharing your experience and thank you for your service, take care.
Now let’s hit over to meet Andrea Northup. She’s at GCU alumni, graduating with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies. She is now working for Habitat for Humanity, and she has a great message to share about what conscious capitalism means at GCU. Andrea, please take it away.
– Hi, everybody. My name’s Andrea, and I graduated from GCU a couple of years ago, and now I work for Habitat for Humanity here in Phoenix. When you’re a business student, one of the main values taught to you is this idea of conscious capitalism. And what in the world is that? At GCU, business is meant to have a higher purpose. Instead of just looking to earn a profit, business is meant to care for and serve its local community. As a student and now Habitat, I’ve been able to witness this idea of conscious capitalism firsthand. Every year, I see staff and students coming out to volunteer, and staff give financially towards these different prepare projects. The beautiful part about this relationship is that it’s a hand up, not a handout. Families actually contribute roughly one-third of the repair costs, and they also contribute a certain amount of sweat equity hours towards the completion of the repair. Every single year, GCUs staff and students come out to volunteer, and it’s such a blessing to see them interact with the different families onsite. There’ve been multiple times families have said, I can’t believe complete strangers would come and help me build on my own home, or seeing these students out here reminds me that God is still here, and that they’re still good in the world. There is even one time that GCU staff came out, and this family brought out a frying pan and made burritos for everybody that had showed up to volunteer that day. It’s these small moments that make me realize, the value just isn’t in the repair, it’s in the bringing people together to help make it happen. In these past six years of partnership, GCU has been able to serve over 300 unique families, completing over 800 repairs, contributing over 26,000 volunteer hours, and allocating over $3.8 million towards neighborhood repairs. And this idea of conscious capitalism isn’t something that just stops at the college of business. It’s embodied from the top down. Multiple times, I’ve witnessed President Brian Mueller come to volunteer on site unannounced. When he comes, he just grabs a paintbrush or a shovel and begins working alongside the next volunteer. Now, before Habitat in GCU, I participated in several different community service projects around the world. By seeing GCU and Habitat partner together, I’ve been able to learn that to love your neighbor, you don’t need to cross the border, you just need to take a drive. As business students continue to graduate from GCU, you’re going to see more businesses care for and serve their surrounding community. It’s a movement that has impact, and it’s a movement that I’m proud to be a part of. Alex, that is conscious capitalism. I’ll pass it back over to you.
– Andrea, the purpose-driven work you’re doing with Habitat for Humanity and GCU is so uplifting. That is beautiful. Thanks again for sharing your story. See you later, Andrea.
Okay everyone, let’s first head over to the Academic Quad here at Florida Tech, and meet Alyssa Carson. She’s a sophomore majoring in astrobiology. By the way, she will most likely be the first person to Mars, but you’ll hear more about that from her. And she’s going to talk to us about the unique character of Florida Tech, and how the university got its start, which is a very cool story. Okay, Alyssa, it’s all yours, take it away.
Hey, hey everyone, there’s so much that makes Florida Tech unique from all these other universities, but there is one thing that makes us truly special, and that is space. It all started in 1958, the same year that NASA was established. A physicist named Jerome P. Keuper started a small school to provide advanced education for the scientists, and engineers that were working in the US Space Program. He built it right here in Melbourne, Florida just 45 minutes away from where the rockets take off. Because of that, students at this campus have been able to watch every US space launch ever.
Absolutely no other college can claim this. Most importantly, Dr. Keuper made Florida Institute of Technology a place where visionaries and dreamers like me, could launch our career. I chose Florida Tech because one day, I want to be on a mission to Mars. There, I could study the soil, search for signs of bacterial life in the water, and study the atmosphere. To get to space, I need to become an astronaut, which means building the best resume and experience that I can get. This is something that I’ve been doing for a while now.
When I was 15, I joined Project PoSSUM, an aeronautics education program to conduct real life research. With them, I have been able to do microgravity flights, water survival training, G-Force, and spacesuit evaluations. I’ve also gotten my pilot’s license, and my advanced scuba certification. All of this has led to my apply in astronautics certification, and being certified for suborbital flights. Now I’m here at Florida Tech studying astrobiology which isn’t a major that you can find at many other universities. Here, I feel like I’m surrounded by people who get me. Many of my professors, and students have done amazing research with big companies like NASA, SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Jacobs.
My next steps are to continue getting involved in as much research as I can, getting my instrument rating for my pilot’s license, and seeking any other opportunities. I believe that Florida Tech is putting me on the right path to achieve my career. It’s great being at a university that is a part of the Space Coast, both the space part, and the coast. From campus, I can see rocket launches, and I can go and visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on the weekends. Plus I can visit the beach whenever I want. And it’s like everyone here believes in you, which makes you believe in yourself even more. I’m so thankful that I get to spend the next few years here on campus studying what I love, at a university that has welcomed me with open arms. That’s all for me guys, back to you, Alex
Alyssa, thank you for taking us through the storied history here at Florida Tech. It’s fascinating, and congrats on everything you have personally accomplished, and good luck on all your future space endeavors. Thanks again, Alyssa.
Next, we’re heading to meet Jesse Duran, a junior studying computer engineering. The hands-on experience he’s doing here at the college is remarkable and he’s gonna take a few minutes to tell us about experiential education here at the Fort. Jesse, you’re on.
Hey, Alex, hey, everyone. So, computer engineering is a new major here at Fort Lewis. It already has an incredible reputation. I’ve been doing research at the college for almost a year. And in that time, I’ve had wonderful research opportunities presented to me.
I work closely with the biology and physics and engineering departments. The undergraduate research opportunities are beyond belief and this is because the professors work tirelessly to bring these opportunities to campus. The amount of cross-disciplinary training and hands-on work that I’ve been able to do extends from microbiology, microfluidics, lasers and optics, machining parts and printed circuit board design. The research is exciting, but that doesn’t mean that regular courses are boring. It’s quite the opposite.
In my geology class, we went North of Durango to look at fossilized specimens in limestone, stratification of rock and natural occurring hot springs. In my physics course, we built an electric motor from nothing, but wood, nails and wire. In chemistry class, we synthesized ibuprofen. With all of these classes, I got the opportunity to connect my learning to the real world. The classes here at the Fort are more than just theory, they’re application.
If these classes sound a little academically challenging, you’re absolutely right. But luckily, the tutoring services on campus are phenomenal. As a CE major, I have to take a lot of math. There’s a peer education center that has tutors at the ready to help you with any problems that you may have in math, writing, languages and more. The Native American center also has dedicated tutors for a wide variety of classes. Best of all, all these services are free.
The feeling at Fort Lewis is that everyone wants you to succeed. If you put in the time and the effort, the opportunities will present themselves and you’ll reach new horizons. Alex, back to you.
Jesse, wow. What you’re getting to do at this college is absolutely fascinating. There’s no better way to prepare for the real world than working on real work. That’s incredible, thanks for sharing. Great job.
Okay everyone, you are going to love our final segment. We’re heading just down the road from campus to the headquarters of Larsen Motorsports. Here, we’re going to meet up with Loghan Ashline. She’s in junior, majoring in business administration, and has quite the passion for the world of racing. And she’s going to tell us how all the opportunities at Florida Tech come together by connecting students’ academic interests, with their career goals, often leading to dream jobs. Loghan, please take it away.
Hello everyone. There are so many reasons to choose Florida Tech. For me, it’s the opportunity to get career experience working at a unique organization that I wouldn’t be able to find at any other university in the world.
I chose Florida Tech so that I could get involved with Larsen Motorsports. They design, fabricate, and race jet dragsters. And they’re an official university partner. As a freshman business major, I started interning here at the Larsen Motorsports headquarters. It was so amazing to me that I can start getting career experience with a world renowned race team, as a first year business student.
After my first semester, I received a paid position here at Larsen Motorsports in their business, and marketing department. Every day, I get to work closely with the company owners, Chris, and Elaine Larsen, as well as fellow students, to help bring these fire-breathing dragsters to life. Larsen Motorsports is just one example of the kinds of unique companies that Florida Tech students get to work with. I have friends who are working at internships all over the Space Coast.
As for me, I’m getting the experience of a lifetime being able to apply the business and marketing skills that I learn in class every day, to my job here at Larsen Motorsports. When I travel with the team to races, I even have the privilege of putting my boss, two-time World Championship winning driver, Elaine Larsen, on the start line. I am living my dream here at Florida Tech, and every day, it just keeps getting better. Florida Tech has given me the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to intern, and work at my dream job. Alex, back to you.
Loghan, that was amazing. What you are able to work on at Larsen Motorsports is simply incredible. I’m jealous, and I hope I get to come watch one of your races soon. That was awesome. Thanks again, Loghan
Next, we’re meeting up with Autumn DeHart. She’s an adventure education major and also double minoring in entrepreneurship and marketing. And she’s gonna take a moment to talk about what health and wellness means here at Fort Lewis. Autumn, you’re up, take it away.
Hey everyone. One of my favorite things here at the Fort is how much they encourage a healthy lifestyle, from on-campus trails to free access to your gym, it has been absolutely amazing and helped me continue my active lifestyle.
I’m currently trained to be in Spartan races right now and eventually in the Ironman. And I just overall love exercising and being outdoors. The Fort has so many outdoor exercise options to offer. My personal favorite one are the Sky Steps. I like to run this at least once a week, just to get acclimated and prepare for future expeditions I have planned here.
Also, the trail system on campus is amazing. I love to run the Rim Trail or just take my dogs out and explore and adventure. When I’m not working out outside, I like to go to the Student Life Center. This is our on-campus gym. I love going to the group classes. My personal favorite is the Vinyasa flow yoga. I also like going to the CrossFit training though just to mix up my workout routine. And if you don’t like group classes, the SLC has so much more to offer, just like the elevate track system or the basketball courts and so, so, so much more.
On top of that, there is a professionally staffed health center and counseling center here at the Fort. And FLC, we believe in integrated health, which basically means looking at a person as a whole. So, the health care providers will collaborate their knowledge on mental health and physical health when treating a student. The health center sees students for walk-ins or appointments for all minor illnesses, injuries and consultations and can refer students to other doctors or hospitals in town for more serious situations.
At the counseling center, your student fees cover four one hour one-on-one sessions, group sessions or other options. Everyone has things they need to talk about. And for me personally, it really helped to have someone to talk to. One more great resource on campus is WellPAC, our Wellness Peer Advisory Council. They’re a group of students who are trained to do peer education and also public health education. One example of this is when FLC became a non-smoking campus, they helped educate and support students. The thing I love about the Fort is how they support all aspects of a healthy lifestyle, not just fitness. All right, back to you, Alex.
Autumn, thanks for taking the time to go into all of that. Health is one of the most important things we have as individuals. And it is great to see how Fort Lewis College makes it such a priority here on campus. Well done, thanks again. Cheers, Autumn.
ow the main objective of college is to help students prepare for the real world and Fort Lewis does an incredible job of doing just that. Here’s Tiarney Andreas, a senior psychology and sociology double major with a minor in teaching English as a second language. And she’s here to talk about career preparation. Tiarney, you’re on.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi everyone, my name is Tiarney Andreas and I am Bishop Paiute from Bishop, California, from where the water flows. Here at Fort Lewis College, we hope that the knowledge we give you as a Skyhawk will carry you into your future career after leaving the nest.
FLC has a great career services office that helps our students and alumni find the skills they need to succeed in their future careers. Career services provides assistance in resume and cover letter creation as well as career finding, such as choosing a major or finding what graduate school will suit you best in the future. Not only that, but career services provides us, students and alumni, with interview tips as well as job and internship searches that are catered specifically to you.
Nearly all of the professors I have had have incorporated in one way or another real-world examples as well as hands-on learning experiences that I can use in my future career. I was even able to take a psychology class working with kids and doing prevention programming. This allowed me to work with the kids in their own space where they were comfortable while I was also learning how to do successful youth prevention programming. Fort Lewis College offers internships all over campus, as well as within the Durango community.
FLC has prepared me for a career in so many different ways and I am so, so thankful and grateful to such an amazing institution as well as such a supportive Skyhawk family. Everywhere I go, FLC staff and faculty stress the importance of creating a community to support you through your college and career journey. And I truly hope that you decide to join our nest. Back to you, Alex
– Tiarney, great job. There is nothing more important than being ready to succeed in the outside world. And it’s great to see how Fort Lewis has helped you on your path forward in life. Thanks for sharing. Bye, Tiarney.