Let’s go back to Biscayne Bay campus to meet Morganne. She is a public relations major who loves spending time on campus. The campuses backyard is the one and only Biscayne Bay, home to programs such as journalism, Marine science, creative writing, and hospitality management. Students brag about the peaceful tranquility that surrounds them while learning and studying. I can’t wait to hear more, Morganne you are on.
Wagwan guys, welcome to FIU BBC. Now, if you love the outdoors, being surrounded by nature, and being directed by the bay, then the FIU Biscayne Bay campus is the place for you. BBC is a 200 acre waterfront campus home to some of FIUS most innovative lab and highest ranked programs. Just like our a main campus, BBC has its own student life, recreation center, library, and of course state of the art student housing that overlooks the bay. Now literally the view is breathtaking. Being at this campus is like being as a mini hotel with activities to help you wind down from a stressful day of courses such as our exciting rope course, kayaking right here on the bay, and of course walking or jogging on our beautiful nature trail. Various programs such as our hospitality management program and the Marine science program are host here at this campus. For you, journalism and communication lover who prefer the hands-on experiences, the Biscayne Bay campus house is a South Florida media network, which also students the opportunity to cover local news and network with professional journalists, and of course FIU alumni. Though my experience was virtual due to the pandemic, BOLD allowed me to have real client experience and a network with some of the best industry professionals. Those of you on the creative side of PR can work with the creative team as a photographer, videographer, or even a graphic design intern for clients. After two semesters in BOLD as an account associate, I got promoted to be an account executive for the upcoming semester and I cannot wait to get started. I got to write my story at the beautiful Biscayne Bay campus, and I can’t wait for you guys to write your story here as well. Back to you Alex.
What a great story Morganne, the student run communications agency is incredible, congratulations on the promotion, cheers Morganne.
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.
Okay, first, we’re gonna meet up with Iyahna Calton. She’s a junior originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is majoring in psychology with a double minor in criminology and pre-law, very, very impressive. And she’s gonna share with us what campus life is all about here at Fort Lewis. Take it away, Iyahna.
So, when it comes to campus life at the Fort, there are a number of ways to get involved. Let’s be honest, that’s a big part of the college experience, the community. And that’s exactly why our campus is buzzing with events and activities for the students.
Usually when something big is taking place on campus, it’s best to be in what I call the Wholly Triad. The Wholly Triad consists of the clock tower, the library and the student union and are commonly places where students can find, A, an ideal study spot, B, a tabling event of some sort, or C, a place to hang out and meet someone new. Over time at Fort Lewis, these places became legendary to me, wholly in a sense, serving as a space to meet some of the most wonderful people in my life today. And these views are just a few of the beautiful places available to students on campus, functionally serving as a hotspot for new hangs or the place for the perfect picture.
Personally speaking, my experience at the Fort has been full of perfect and not so perfect moments. If you ask me, understanding life as a young adult can be all too challenging, which is why choosing the right college can quite literally mean everything. Fort Lewis meant, for me, choosing an unknown path, a new path when it came to forging diversity, equity and inclusion. Fast forward three years and self-work, growth and actualization to have taken place right here on this very campus. And thanks to campus life, I’m grateful for the opportunities presented to me.
I was able to genuinely cultivate a network that of which I am so very proud of. My role as a part of student government has allowed me to represent the student body in ways I never knew possible. My greatest role as Black Student Union President has presented me with a platform to speak on issues around colonization, oppression, addressing discussion and dialogue unknown to the narrative. By now, I’m sure that this is where I’m meant to live and the truth I am meant to be a part of.
If you ask me what makes this place so unique is people like you, with a story to tell and a top tier liberal arts education awaiting. I hope I didn’t tell you all our secrets. And if anything that I said stuck with you for whatever reason, well, I hope to see you soon. I’m off to one of the beautiful views I was talking about earlier. See you around. Back to you, Alex.
Iyahna, that was so special. Thank you for speaking from the heart. That was really cool. This campus is incredible and I’ve been loving the vibe ever since I got here. Great job, thank you for that. Take care, Iyahna.
Next, we’re heading to the Orlando Melbourne International Airport, home to FIT Aviation. Florida Tech’s very own flight training facility. Just a short drive from campus, this is where students like Greg Dunn, a junior majoring in aeronautical science with flight, become pilots. Greg is going to talk to us about flying planes here at Florida Tech. Greg, you’re on, take it away.
Hey guys, one thing that sets Florida Tech apart from other colleges, is that we have our own flight school. Florida Tech is home to one of the most respected collegiate aviation programs in the country. As long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a pilot. And as you can probably hear, I do have a Jamaican accent. Which means me leaving my small island, and finding that one college that would have made my dreams a reality. That was Florida Tech.
Here we are, at Emil Buehler Center For Aviation Training & Research, which is located about 10 minutes away from the Florida Tech campus, at Orlando Melbourne International Airport. This facility is home to FIT Aviation, also known as Florida Tech’s flight land. As a flight student, my day starts off with me waking up approximately an hour and a half before my flight, and heading to the flight land. I then get checked in at this bird, and my instructor is usually coming out to get the lesson started. This is usually around 5:30 in the morning. So my takeoffs are two hours of course, into the sunrise. This is a breathtaking scene.
Florida Tech has their students to dive head first into their majors. This was extremely important to me, as one of my biggest fears was having to wait over a year to fly. This was not the case at Florida Tech. Soon after arriving on campus, I remember getting a text message from my instructor saying, I had my first fight in the preceding days. Being able to fly so quickly, made me know that Florida Tech had my best interest at heart.
Learning to fly here in Melbourne, Florida is amazing. Not only do we get to take advantage of over 300 days of pristine weather, but we do get one of the best approaches in the world. We fly over the land, fly over sea, we even fly over campus. We have a variety of top of the line, single and multi-engine Piper training aircraft, and an award-winning maintenance department known for excellence in safety and service.
Another thing that I really appreciate, is that Florida Tech are not only here for the students, but they’re here for the community. The team here at FIT Aviation has done everything from flying hurricane relief supplies to The Bahamas, to helping our locals who transport our endangered animal from Texas to here. Florida Tech students are part of something bigger than themselves. In my experience, Florida Tech’s flight land is a tight-knit community of really caring aviators, who want to see the community grow. I urge anyone who has the slightest dreams of becoming a pilot, to take a look at Florida Tech’s program. I can promise you, you won’t regret it. That’s it for me, back to you, Alex.
Greg, I love how you have always wanted to fly planes, and are now making that dream a reality right here at Florida Tech. That was fun, great job. Cheers, Greg.
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
Okay, everybody, let’s kick this episode off by hearing first from the university’s president. Mr. Brian Mueller is a visionary and innovator in an industry slow to adapt to change. Since Mr. Mueller joined GCU about 13 years ago, the university has experienced unprecedented growth. Enrollment on the Phoenix ground campus has increased from roughly 1000 to over 22,000, while online enrollment has grown exponentially to more than 90,000. He is a force, and he is excited to share the vision of Grand Canyon University with you all. President Mueller, the floor is all yours.
– Thank you, Alex. It’s great to be here today, and thank you for your interest in Grand Canyon University. A lot of people are asking, how did this miracle in a desert happen? Really, 13 years ago, we came here with the idea that, could we create a private Christian university that would be affordable to all socioeconomic classes of Americans. It would require a whole different way to think about the economics of higher education. We came here for that purpose. We actually went to the public markets 13 years ago. The public markets actually liked our idea and they invested in it. We brought it back to Phoenix with the idea of creating a hybrid campus. To be honest with you, it worked out way better than we thought. In the fall, we’ll have 25,000 students on our campus in Phoenix, we have 90,000 students studying online. They’re leveraging a common infrastructure, and we haven’t had to raise tuition for 13 years, Grand Canyon University students now take out less debt than the average state university student. What happened then, is that we had this period of unbelievable growth. Academically, we came here with three colleges, less than a hundred academic programs, and today we have nine colleges, over 270 academic programs, including in very difficult and rigorous academic areas like engineering, computer science, information technology than natural sciences. We’ve invested almost $1.5 billion into the campus, and it’s been ranked the seventh nicest campus in the country, and the growth just isn’t stopping. All of those things then, led to the development of an incredible community. In fact, I will tell you, if I line up 10 kids today and say, why’d you choose Grand Canyon? Nine out of 10 they will say, it’s the strength of the community. We teach in very small class sizes. We hire professors based upon their ability to teach the material, but we also hire them based upon their ability to build relationships with our students. We have a very vibrant campus culture. Spiritual activities like chapel, where we have as many as 7,000 students there. We probably have the largest intermural sports club program in the country, huge outdoor rec program. We have students in music, theater, dance. Those are all ways for our students to get connected, to build relationships, to build a network of friends. The most important thing that’s happened here though, is that the university is grown up in the middle of a immigrant community that has a lot of needs. A lot of these people are asylum seekers. They’re just getting started in America. We decided that our faith expression was going to be lived out by pouring into the lives of these immigrants. And it’s our students and our faculty, and their willingness to participate in all that, that is our faith expression. And that’s what we’re trying to do here. We’re very grateful for how things have gone for us. We’ve been extremely blessed. In return, we try to bless the community, but I want you to hear it from our faculty and staff, and especially our students. And so with that, let me throw it back to Alex.
– President Mueller, you are an inspirational leader in every sense of the word. We thank you for sharing all that with everyone. You’re like a rock star here on campus, and I can see why everyone from the students, to the faculty, to the parents, all love you. Thanks again. Cheers, Brian.
You all are gonna be inspired by this next student’s story. We’re heading over to the GCU labs to meet Erik Yost. Erik is a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Business Management. What this young man is doing to change the world for good using his engineering skillset is absolutely mind blowing. Eric, the floor is all yours.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. Throughout my life, I’ve always felt the need to go and serve the world in the name of the Lord. I’ve always loved engineering and entrepreneurship from a young age, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my skills specifically. In high school, I was heavily involved throughout campus as student body vice president for sport varsity athlete, robotics mentor, and a leader in the engineering and entrepreneurship program. I focused my skillset on our ISS program, an elite engineering program, where students were able to send their research projects onto the International Space Station. I worked on multiple different teams, and eventually sent six different projects into space. My primary project was focused on microbial fuel cells. Fuel cells are able to take any form of organic waste and convert it into electricity. We were able to take this project to the American Society of Gravitational and Space Research, and win first place, which was a huge accomplishment. From there, I started to work with NASA on sustainable energy research. I felt my calling to use my skills in engineering to help better the world. When I started looking at colleges, I learned about the Discover GCU trips. I just knew I had to participate. These trips are so immersive, and you get to experience firsthand, what it means to be a Lope. During this all-expenses-paid on-campus experience. We learned about that dynamic academic programs offered across GCU’s nine colleges, connected with GCU’s vibrant campus community and explore different ways to connect with current students, faculty and leadership. On this trip, I was introduced to GCU’s engineering program, entrepreneurship initiative, a strong sense of Christian community, and a place I could truly thrive. It was awesome, and I fell in love with GCU. Once on campus, I started my LLC, generate a biotechnology company, focused on building my fuel cells through the entrepreneurship initiative, so I’m able to fund my nonprofit, and help better the world around me. Here on campus, I’m also starting a program called STELLAR, which allows GCU students to send their projects to the International Space Station. Here at GCU, you’re able to join any club or program and grow your skills and glorify God. You can impact your local community globally, or even the universe. There’s such a multidisciplinary aspect between the colleges, where students are able to learn real life skills and apply all around their life. And I pray that I’m able to glorify God in all that I do, that He’s able to use me as a vessel through my clubs, business and leadership. Back to you, Alex.
– Erik, it is so profound to see you use your passion and experience with biotechnology to help make the world a better place. It’s all very impressive. Thank you for sharing that, we’ll see you soon. Cheers, Erik.
We are now heading over to the courtyard of the Colangelo College of Business. Here, we have Maya waiting for us. She’s a GCU alum, and she’s gonna talk about the community impacts beyond the classroom here at Grand Canyon University. Maya, you are on.
– Hi, everyone. I’m a second-generation Latino. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and my parents are originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. One of the most profound memories I have while attending Grand Canyon University is being able to experience the growth and development. There’s so much collaboration between professors and students. You get one-on-one coaching from professionals who have so much experience in the field. It’s amazing to be able to knock on their door and have a conversation with them. Every professor is there to help you through the process, and they encourage you to work in small learning groups. GCU offers an excellent curriculum, where you learn how to start a business from beginning to end. Entrepreneurship is highly encouraged in the university between staff and students, because they’re dedicated to the success of the students. My story is a true example of GCU’s commitment to community growth and job creation. The Colangelo College of Business has helped me and prepared me to stimulate my ideas and creativity and bring those personal business plans to life. In August of 2019, I opened my first business called Sleep Simple Co. It’s a furniture store and mattress store. With GCU’s rapid growing community of residence halls and apartments, they needed mattresses. My professors and the Colangelo College of Business dean, made it possible for me to pitch a business proposal to supply GCU with mattresses from my family business. Not only has Grand Canyon University purchased thousands of mattresses from our company, we’ve had the great opportunity to support West Phoenix local business expansion. GCU’s partnership has enabled us to provide jobs to members of our community. We started in an 11,000 square foot building. and this year our growth has become exponential, and we moved into a 30,000 square foot building. I feel so accomplished being able to support the community and provide more jobs in West Phoenix. So this is my story. Alex, back to you.
– Maya, that was great to hear how GCU supported your business, which in turn supported the surrounding community. It’s incredible. That was really fun. Keep up the great work and congrats on all your business success. Cheers, Maya.
All right, everyone. Now we’re heading over to Lopes Way. Here, we have Noah Wolfe waiting for us. Noah received his undergraduate degree here in Christian Studies, and is currently getting his master’s degree online while serving as the Director of Alumni Relations. Noah is gonna share an exciting story about what opening doors and opening arms means right here at Grand Canyon University. Noah, it’s all yours.
– Hey, everybody. My sophomore year on campus, I was in a course that was discussing the negative effects of poverty on our society. And there was one class period in particular, where we were watching a video of a middle-aged African-American woman who is sharing how her community had been dramatically impacted by low incomes, violence and drug abuse. As I began to pay closer attention to the words that she was saying, I started to realize that she happened to be from the exact same neighborhood that I was born into, a place full of very little hope. Statistically speaking, college can be difficult to access for a lot of people. It’s challenging for those who were born into environments, similar to mine to pursue higher education, but as I reflect over the course of my life, there have been countless individuals and organizations who have chosen to stand up to statistics and advocate for equal opportunity. Grand Canyon University, without a doubt, has proven themselves to be one of these organizations. This place is so special to me because it is a champion of inclusion, community and equal opportunity for all. Regardless of where we come from, everyone here is valued as a child of God that is wonderfully made. Together, We remain unified through the belief that Christ death and resurrection brings us in as one incredible family. During my time on campus, I had the ability to interact with so many different types of people from so many diverse backgrounds. Our students, staff, faculty, and alumni represent all socioeconomic classes of Americans, and in my opinion, that is something uniquely special to this place. GCU is teaching people, not just how to live together, but how to thrive together, how to collaborate with one another on some of our communities most challenging problems so that we can make a difference. All of this is coming from a place that says, if we work together and remain unified under key principles, we can make the world a better place. I’ve never experienced a culture like this, a Christian community of people who are deeply committed to serving one another. My senior year, I had the privilege of serving in the role of student body president, and today I get to serve as our director of Alumni Relations. I could not be more grateful to be a part of a workforce full of thousands of individuals who are passionate about the purpose of coming alongside people and helping them find theirs. As our alumni base continues to grow at an incredibly rapid rate, our hope is to build supportive programming that leaves a legacy, and allows people to remain connected and engaged to their purpose and the university for years to come. I would highly encourage anyone who is looking for an advocate in the world of higher education to consider GCU. We are building a community here that is committed to cheering you on towards a higher purpose, and all of that is being fueled by a simple concept, that together we can pioneer the world of private Christian education with America’s promise of equal opportunity for all. That’s my story. Lopes up. Back to you, Alex.
– Noah, your message about how GCU is teaching the students, not just how to live together, but how to thrive together is awesome. You can feel that energy all around campus here. Thanks again for that, Noah.
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.