2021, ASL English Interpretation graduate, Kirsten, is here to tell you firsthand how essential it is to connect with your faculty.
I especially miss the ASL Center, a place where ASL students can go practice their signing and hangout. Faculty members come to and hang out with us so we can build those relationships outside of the classroom. Angie Malcomson and Diana Gorman are two professors that made a huge impact on my life. I don’t know if I would have graduated without them. Diana was my linguistics professor. I’m deaf and hard of hearing, and it was in her classes that I first experimented with hearing aids, and I also had my very first interpreters. She made me feel comfortable and accepted the entire time. With Diana I learned the love of the language. Angie was my interpreting professor. Her classes made me fall in love with interpreting all over again. She always worked hard with us to make sure that we could turn things in if we weren’t doing super well. I will always appreciate her flexibility during the pandemic and putting an emphasis on making sure that we were taking care of ourselves. Angie, also helped me learn how to advocate for myself and made sure I understood that I deserved access to education just like everybody else. She is the person that saved me when I needed one last credit to graduate. Immediately, she said that she would do an independent study with me and it ended up being one of the best experiences that I’ve had. Aggie always pushes me just enough to be the absolute best that I could be. The amount of care that Columbia faculty members put into their students continues to blow me away. In the ASL Department, our professors work hard to find deaf events in the community that we can go to, so we can network. We also get mentors in our practicum one class, so we can get industry experience and meet professional interpreters. Our professors work hard to make sure that we are as prepared as possible.
Kirsten, thank you so much for showing us the power of relationship building with your faculty. It’s obvious Columbia’s professors are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and experience with their students. Thanks again.
We’ll meet Kristyn. She’s a senior majoring in public management, and she’s going to tell us about the many clubs and events here at FAU. You are up, please take it away.
– Thanks Alex. Hey everybody. When I arrived on FAU campus, I didn’t know anyone, so I knew I needed to get involved to make the most out of my experience here. I immediately signed up for sorority recruitment and found my home away from home in Alpha Delta Pi. The most unique aspect of fraternity and sorority life here at Florida Atlantic University is a true sense of community. I always see a friendly face on campus and we are constantly collaborating and supporting each other’s organizations. FAU has over 400 clubs, so there truly is something for everybody. In addition to Greek life, I’ve made lifelong friends through FAU’s club cheer team, the spear fishing and free diving club, and the scuba diving club. These groups gave me the chance to do some traveling and make great memories. We drove to Daytona for a cheer competition and to Jenny Springs for a camping trip. Our campus community always has something going on with FAU’s Boca Raton campus hosting over 5,000 student led events each year. One of my favorites is the annual fall bonfire to kick off the school year. It’s a fun tradition that brings the whole university together. Then in the spring, we’ve got our carnival and the festival of nations, which celebrates the diversity of our school. I’ve had the best college experience, thanks to how easily I was able to get involved on campus. My involvement has helped me to further develop my leadership skills and my confidence. As a freshman, unsure about what college would look like for me, I could have never imagined the impact FAU would have on my life. As a senior, I hold leadership positions across campus, including on the Panhellenic council. These opportunities to work with my peers, not only enriches my time at FAU, but also allows me to form deep connections that will last long after graduation. Alex, what’s next?
– I love seeing the ways FAU students can make the most of their college years. FAU aims to create a welcoming space for all students. It’s top rating for LGBTQ plus friendliness and recognition as a Hispanic serving institution are just two examples of this commitment in action. Thanks again.
Now that you have heard from some students about their experiences at Carson-Newman University, let’s hear from someone who is leading the effort to define Carson-Newman’s future. Dr. Charles Fowler, Carson-Newman’s President, shares his vision for his plans to lead the university into a new era of spiritual and academic success.
– Thanks, Alex. As you can tell, after hearing from several of our students at Carson Newman, this is truly a special place. For over 170 years, we’ve been preparing students to be difference makers in the world. And all across those 170 years, there have been moments when a fresh vision emerged and was embraced in order to provide our students what they need to become everything they are destined to be. And this is one of those moments. This is the time for a recommitment to the values that we hold so dear. As we embrace this new vision, our university community has initiated a five-year strategic plan to improve facilities and to enhance our academic programs. This initiative will allow us to construct several new academic buildings, improve existing facilities and to add exciting new programs to our academic offerings. We believe that through this bold vision that we are going to help our students reach their full potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant leaders. But with all of these exciting changes, there is one thing that will never change. And that is our steadfast commitment to be faithful to our Christ-centered mission. Cause it’s who we are, it’s what we do. Our students receive a world-class education at Carson-Newman University. They are embraced by a community that is marked by compassion, service, and purpose. Serving Christ and serving others. That’s the foundation upon which this university was formed and it is our mission as we pursue God’s preferred future for Carson-Newman University. Thank you. Now back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Dr. Fowler for your vision, for your leadership and for your commitment to pursue God’s preferred future for Carson-Newman university. Wow. What they say is true. Carson-Newman University really is a special place. I want to thank all the incredible students for sharing their stories with us. So you can learn more about what this university is all about. What an amazing university located in such a beautiful part of east Tennessee. So that’s it for me. I want to encourage all of you to learn more about Carson-Newman University for yourself, and hopefully we’ll see you on campus real soon. Talon’s Up. Cheers, everybody.
All right, everyone, let’s go meet Niko over at Dugmore, Central’s newest residence hall. Campus has a total of 25 residence halls and apartments. Niko, is a music education major in Central’s nationally ranked music program, and is earning a degree in Spanish. He’s lived on campus since day one. Here’s Niko to explain how that’s had such a positive impact on his time here at Central.
– Hi Alex. Thanks so much for having me. When I was in high school, I didn’t even know about CWU. I only knew the name, because a friend of mine moved here when I was a junior. I came to visit her, and the campus, and I instantly felt in love. My time here has been amazing. I made some great friends in the first weekend and it turned out we were all on the marching band together. So I see them every day. Over my last few years here, Central’s given me a place to thrive, and grow into my own person. I absolutely love living on campus. It completely enhances my experience. Everything super close by, and it’s easy to get around. I’m able to branch out and do or be everything I want. From theater productions to in real sports, to working as an RA in my residence hall, I basically get to do as much as I could fit into my day. The campus culture is so accepting, and welcoming. From the different clubs and organizations on campus, to the friends you meet in your residence halls to become your family. For the people you meet downtown, Central really feels like home. In addition to all the awesome activities, and events each week, Central also has plentiful resources to help students with health awareness right here on campus. I’m off to teach music in the public school soon, and I really feel like Central’s helped me find my way to my passion. I’ve met lifelong friends and colleagues here on this campus, and I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else. Thanks so much for letting me share this with you, Alex.
– Thanks Niko. For telling us the benefits of living on campus. It’s definitely an essential part of the Central experience. Not only are students more plugged into the campus community, and it’s easier to attend events, but students who live on campus tend to have higher GPAs. So it’s also a smart choice. Way to go Niko.
Okay. Now we’re gonna meet Alvaro, but his friends call him Gonzo, and he’s over Central’s top notch, college of business. A former us Marine, Gonzo, is a recent graduate of Central’s nationally ranked Accounting program, and is currently working as an accountant. He also earned a degree in Finance while at Central. Gonzo is gonna tell us about the role CWU played in his success. Gonzo, you’re up.
– Thanks, Alex. Growing up, I didn’t think college was a possibility. I wasn’t the best student, but unfortunately tragedy hit. And I decided to make some life changes, and commit to a new life path. A day after high school, I proudly joined the US Marine Corps. I wanted to continue studying business, so I visited Central, and knew right away was right for me. Not to mention this is Al mater, US Marine Corp, General James, Mattis. I was drawn to the college of business for two reasons. It’s rank one of the best in the nation, and is AACSB accredited, which is a big deal. Less than 5% of business schools worldwide are granted this accreditation, which adds extra value to my degree. I learned relevant and challenging curriculum taught by the best professors in the field who have industry experience, and know what companies expect from graduates. My journey felt personal. I could walk into the Dean suite, or any one of professors’ offices just to chat. They welcome conversations without appointments. I leaned on the Advising Center to keep me on track with the several majors and minors I was earning. I also benefited from the campus’ Veteran Center who made sure I was able to sign up for courses early, and hosted networking and social events that connected me to other veterans. I value my time at Central because they set me up for a successful, and rewarding career in Business. Now I always try to help out others to create some positive ripple effects in the lives of my peers and my coworkers. I’ve learned that anything is possible. You just need to make a plan ,and execute it. Back to you Alex.
– Gonzo, what a journey had up to this point in life. Congratulations on your success, and keep it up. Thank you for sharing how your time here at CWU helped you reach your goals. Your devotion to helping others is inspiring. And thank you for your service.
All right, everyone let’s bounce over to the East Tennessee State University’s bookstore and meet up with the one and only, Jaylen Malik Grimes. He received his undergraduate degree here at ETSU and now he’s getting his master’s in educational leadership. Jaylen can’t wait to tell you about the student life and all the opportunities for getting involved right here at ETSU. Jaylen, please take it away.
– Hello everybody. Having a healthy student life experience is a very pertinent piece to your journey through undergrad. Joining clubs, organizations, attending events and networking provide a foundation for student success. During your first encounter you’ll meet orientation leaders. Orientation leaders are here to get you excited about East Tennessee State University. They also introduce you to programs such as Quest and Preview. These are programs here and available for our students to get you a jumpstart to college. You get to meet friends, mentors, faculty and staff to build your community and support system. You have ample opportunities to get involved in whatever your heart desires because we offer hundreds of clubs and organizations. And if there’s an idea of an organization or club that you wanna bring to our campus, the university supports it. You’ll be able to volunteer, join intermurals, go to the campus rec, do an outdoor adventure or join Greek life. There’s just so much out there. During my time at ETSU I became a Quest, Preview and orientation leader. I also play rugby. As an athlete I learned that sometimes you must go backwards to go forwards. I got the privilege of learning skills such as time management, dealing with finances and conflict resolution through my teammates. Through Quest and Preview I got to understand the importance of community, navigating the university And someone believing in me to complete undergrad. As an orientation leader I got to apply what I had learned from Quest and Preview. I got to become a mentor and help students build their community. Your community is huge during undergrad. When you’re down, they pick you up. When you’re up, they keep you grounded. Without them I don’t know where I would be now. Those three organizations shaped me as a young man and gave me skills to take on any profession and gave me purpose on ETSUs campus. They taught me who I was internally as a leader. I was allowed to be the community for somebody else, to be their friend, to be their ally, to be there. College has been the best four years of my life. I always say, “Time flies when you change your lives. Even if it’s your own.” So get involved. Don’t let it be a regret that you didn’t explore your interests. Three key words for success, at East Tennessee University are opportunity, community and involvement. They want to assist you, guide you to open doors and prepare you for what’s next. There are many ways for you to gain experience, learn new skills and become a well-rounded person ready to conquer the world. It just takes you taking that first step into shaping your new environment. Hope to see you on campus. Thanks Alex.
– Jaylen, great job. It’s so fun to hear what all the clubs and organizations students can get involved with here on campus. It sounds like no matter what your interests are ETSU has you covered. Thanks again, Jaylen.
All right, everyone. Now we’re heading over to the University School located right in the center of campus. This is a K through 12 school where education majors receive real life hands-on learning experience at a top ranked school. Carly Brewington, a senior majoring in special education is waiting for us here. She’s gonna talk to us about her experience as an education student at ETSU. Carly, please take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. The special education program here at ETSU has given me the college experience I have always dreamed of. The Clemmer College has allowed me to dive into an education career while still completing my undergrad. To finish all my teaching requirements I’m in a teaching residency program where I will have extended hours in the classroom working with many great students, administrators and staff. I’m here at the historic University School which is situated in the heart of ETSU’s campus. Here, you will find K through 12 students engaged in a smaller, more intimate classroom environment. My classmates and my professors have made me a better person by showing me support throughout my college experience. My mentor teacher is an incredible educator who has been teaching here at the University School for 13 years. She has given me priceless knowledge that I will take with me through life. from summertime classroom preparation to meeting students and their families and now a hybrid fall semester, teaching students both in-person and online I have been able to work alongside her through it all. My mentor teacher has also entrusted me to create incredible bonds with students. This has given me a new insight to teaching that I will always cherish. More specifically. I have created a friendship with one student in particular who has taught me that it is always a good day to have a good day. This student has taught me to live on the happy side an invaluable lesson that I will take with me through life. I have been able to watch him grow and become confident in his ability to learn. It has been an incredible journey to watch. He has also shown me the true reason of why I chose this career, which is to make a difference. My extra time spent in this inclusion classroom has allowed me to pour my energy into nurturing a growing mind. My college experience has truly been an incredible journey that I would not trade for the world. From being a student athlete on the triathlon team to the incredible relationships and education I’ve received, I’m so proud that I’ll be able to call ETSU my alma mater. I hoped you enjoyed hearing my story and I hope to see you soon here in the Tennessee Hills at East Tennessee State University. Back to you Alex.
– Carly, you are a rock star and I have a feeling the kids in your student classroom would say the exact same thing about you as well. The classroom experience and mentorship you’re receiving at ETSU is simply incredible. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us all. We appreciate it. Cheers Carly.
So now let’s head over to the carrier center at the Culp here at ETSU and meet up with Joey. He’s a junior studying digital media with a concentration in game design. He’s gonna share a little bit about what he’s learning and his current game design projects. If you are interested in gaming you are certainly gonna wanna watch this. Joey, please take it away.
– Hey guys. Hey Alex. Upon arriving here at ETSU and entering its digital media program I had no idea that I’d be taking my first step into the game design industry. Prior to my freshman year of college I had developed a love for indie games which is a passion that seemed to only grow since then. Although most of the classes that I took applied to designing 3D games, learning these core concepts helped me better understand the realm of 2D games, the kind of games that I wanted to create. After establishing these new design practices and being eager to practice my newly acquired programming skills I felt prepared for the journey I had ahead of me when I began developing my first indie game title, Chiaroscuro. Chiaroscuro is a 2D adventure platform run with metroidvania elements. You take the role of a mysterious amnesiac where you have to explore an interconnected world that has fallen into darkness. The game began as a solo hobby project though after having an encouraging conversation with my game design professor I realized I wanted to work on the game full time. Initially I was hesitant about pursuing this passion project as it’s my first game and at the time it was simply an outlet for honing my newly acquired programming skills. Though my professor reassured me that every project that I’m going to do is going to be for practice. And if I’m going to put this much passion into a project I might as well make it worth it and publish the game. The same concept stands true for all aspiring artists, musicians or game developers alike. As I continue to develop the game and share its progress online it started to gain quite a bit of exposure and started to grow a small community. I had heard of success stories of solo developers launching Kickstarter campaigns to fund their indie games. And so I started working towards launching one of my own. When Chiaroscuro’s Kickstarter launched in October of 2020, the relationships and connections I had made here at ETSU were incredibly influential to its success. In the end, Chiaroscuro’s Kickstarter raised over $17,000 in just 29 days, blowing away its original goal of $15,000. Thanks to the concepts that I learned from these core classes along with the encouragement that I received from my professors along the way I felt motivated enough to see this game’s campaign through to its conclusion and to continue pursuing my passion as an indie game developer. I plan to continue developing Chiaroscuro until after I graduate where I’ll eventually release it on Steam for Windows and Mac in 2022 or 2023. Thanks for listening to my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Joey, that was so cool. The digital media program here is so fun. The game you are designing is amazing. Big congrats on that. Very, very impressive. We appreciate you taking the time to talk to us. Cheers Joey.
Now, we’re gonna hear from Juliet, a junior majoring in small animal science. Juliet’s path was a little different from the students you’ve met so far. Juliet started at another school, but was frustrated that as an animal science major, she was not getting the opportunity to work directly with animals. At DelVal that happens in your first year. Here’s her story, Juliet.
Hi everyone. So, when you tell people you wanna be a vet, their first question is – how long have you known you wanted to do that? And to be honest, I don’t know if there was ever a time I didn’t know. Growing up, I’d watched the crocodile hunter, catch critters outside, and come in and tell my mom, all about the wonderful creatures that share our backyard. Steve Irwin played a major part in my upbringing and his passion for wildlife was contagious. I knew I had a continuous mission in some way.
I decided on the path of veterinary medicine in hopes of one day being able to work at the Australia Zoo. I realized this was a very specific dream and that I could help wildlife in endless ways. My journey to DelVal is a little bit different than most. I transferred here after realizing that I wasn’t getting the hands-on experience with animals that I needed. I talked to some of my friends who attended the university and I made the switch.
Talking to you today, I’m a junior small animal science major. I can wholeheartedly say that coming to DelVal is one of the greatest things that I’ve ever done. In just two years, I’ve taken classes like path and disease, animal anatomy and vet med terminology that will help my application to Vet School tremendously. On top of classes, there’s a number of clubs and organizations that are helping me as well. My favorite is DelVal’s National Chapter for the American Association of Zookeepers. It’s helped me with the zoo aspect of my career and being a board member has allowed me to create connections that I’ll use in the future.
Another thing that has helped me is one of my E360 credits. Through talking with my advisor, I found an amazing company called Loop Abroad. I set up a two week trip to Australia where I’d be living and working in a small zoo alongside a zoo veterinarian. This was supposed to take place in June of 2020. So, you can imagine what happened. Yeah, it was canceled. I was absolutely devastated, but lucky for me Loop Abroad was hosting a Virtual Global Vet Semester. Without ever leaving my bedroom, I traveled all over the world to places including Thailand, Belize and Costa Rica. I was able to get up close and personal with veterinary medicine and species ranging from dogs to elephants. And I’m so grateful to Loop Abroad.
Without coming to DelVal, I would have never been able to do the things I talked about today and I wouldn’t have nearly the resume I do now. I can honestly say that DelVal has helped me on my road to becoming a wildlife warrior. That’s my story. Now, back to Alex.
Well done Juliet. You may be the first wildlife warrior we have had on the college tour. Thank you for sharing your story. That was incredible. Take care.
Okay, now it’s time to hear from Parker. Parker is a freshman majoring in biology and botany. And Parker knows all the best places to eat and discover Bucks County’s cultural treasures. Parker, please take it away.
Thanks Alex. Hi, everybody. Welcome to Doylestown. I’ve lived in the Doylestown area, since I was about 10 years old. I was originally born and raised in Hawaii, but I’ve grown to really love it here.
Our town was recently named, USA today’s number one small town in the Cultural Scene Category. And we definitely live up to that title. For example, every fall we have a two day arts fest that consumes the center of town with vendors selling artwork, painting, anything you could want, along with tons of food trucks. That is probably my all time favorite event that we have in Doylestown.
Speaking of food, we also have a plethora of restaurants to choose from of almost any variety. I can remember when I was younger, I used to go to different restaurants to see who had the best fried calamari. PS, it’s the Penn Taproom. For students who live on campus, don’t worry our local bus the Doylestown Dart, stops at DelVal to pick kids up and shuttle them into town.
Walking around Doylestown is a great way to pass some time on the weekends. And we have all kinds of different stores from thrift shops to upscale boutiques. Admire the architecture, while grabbing some coffee or boba from a local cafe, before heading down to the Mercer Museum a giant historical castle in the middle of Doylestown, one of two actually. Fonthill located just behind me was the home of Henry Mercer, a tile worker who designed his own home and the Mercer Museum to be a collection of technology and artwork used in the early 1900s, pretty cool. Across the street from the Mercer Museum is the Michener Art Museum, an old prison turned cultural hub. Students can get free passes to all of these from the Bucks County Library, which is just next door to the Art Museum.
Another hidden gem is Peace Valley, a park featuring Lake Galena, located about 15 minutes outside of Doylestown. I love to walk the trails and walk around the lake and force my friends to listen to me talk about lichens and mushrooms, which is super nerdy but it does help me study. And if Doylestown isn’t enough one day, just hop on the train and head down to Philadelphia, which is about 25 miles south. We have our very own train station located at DelVal, just a short walk away from most of the dorms. I love heading down to Philly to go to concerts or to visit friends who live down there. Besides Philadelphia, we’re less than two hours away from tons of popular day trips, such as New York City, the Poconos and the Jersey Shore.
So, although there’s tons to do in the heart of Doylestown, all of these trips are just a short car or train ride away. When you choose DelVal, you choose Doylestown along with all of its historic small town charm. Back to you, Alex.
Great cultural overview Parker. Sounds, like students have a lot of options for things to do off-campus, what a location. Cheers Parker.