Now it’s time to meet Christine. Christine is a junior majoring in conservation and wildlife management. Her passion however is soccer. Christine is gonna tell us about the athletics here at DelVal. Christine, please take it away.
Hey everybody, I have the privilege of being, Delaware Valley University’s Women’s Soccer Team captain. Here at DelVal, we have 24 intercollegiate men’s, women’s and coed athletic teams. We even have women’s wrestling. DelVal competes within the NCAA Division Three Middle Atlantic Conference, or MAC as we call it. What’s even cooler is DelVal is one of the 443 schools that participates in D three athletics, which is a largest division. Our football team has won not one, not two, but seven MAC Championships in the past 15 years, amongst other championship wins of course.
A quick flashback to my freshman year. I was so flattered to be recognized as honorable mention for the women’s soccer MAC All Conference Team. That year MAC DelVal women’s soccer’s eighth season in a row of at least one player, making an All Conference Team appearance. What I love most about playing soccer at DelVal is the priority of academics over athletics. Because after all advancing your education is what we’re here for. When I was a senior in high school, I had no idea if I wanted to play a sport, but I knew I wanted my education to be a priority. And I quickly realized DelVal was a perfect fit for me.
Listen, college is not easy. It’s a new world. And thankfully for you, I’ve been in your shoes before as a high schooler, trying to figure out which path to pursue. I know what it’s like to feel intimidated, scared and overwhelmed. But the beautiful thing about athletics is you have a family to lean on when you arrive at school.
Through DelVal athletics, I found a group of friends who pushed me to be my best by studying together, getting good grades and being a strong support system on and off the soccer field throughout my entire college experience. There’s also teamwork between teams. In addition to being a soccer captain, I’m also a representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee or SAAC as we call it. SAAC is a community of DelVal’s athletic teams, where we lean on one another, celebrate each other’s victories and support one another through events like D Three Week. This is where we get the entire campus involved in fun activities to cheer on our teams. This year, we got the community involved in a clothing drive, interactive fundraisers and competitive athletic events for prizes.
My college experience has been tremendously improved by my teammates and coaches support, accountability and competitiveness along the way, which are qualities you can be sure to find at each at each of DelVal’s athletic teams. Over to you, Alex.
Great job, Christine. I love hearing about comradery and support between athletic teams on campus. You sure found the right fit too. That was fantastic. Thanks Christine.
Now, it’s time to meet a future cattle rancher, Darian. Darian will be graduating soon with a degree in agribusiness. He came to DelVal knowing exactly what he wanted and boy, did he find it here? Darian.
Hey, y’all, I’m an agriculture business major looking to get into the Cattle Industry. Working my way up to becoming a cattle rancher. I first heard of DelVal through one of the football coaches on the football team who asked if I was interested in coming for a visit. One of the first questions I asked was, do y’all have any Ag majors here on campus? He said, that’s what Delaware Valley is known for, is their great Ag program.
After doing my own research, I learned that Delaware Valley was founded at the National Farm school in 1896. We’re celebrating our hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary this year. It has gone from an all male school to a very diverse campus with people from all over the country. Delaware Valley has given me a chance to find out who I want to be and has opened my mind up to seeking new opportunities. One of the requirements here on campus is the E360 Program. This is where students must apply for an internship. Since I’m trying to get into cattle ranching, I chose an internship in Florida at Deseret Ranch. This happens to be one of the largest cattle operations in America with 300000 acres, 40000 head of cattle.
As an African-American male in the Ag Industry, there’s not too many of us on the Northeastern side of the country. This is a great opportunity for me to experience. While I was in Florida, I met another black cowboy. This was the first time of my life that I worked with somebody who looked like me and shared the same dream. If I had never done the E360 Program, I would have never gotten to experience this.
Delaware Valley has an abundance of clubs and organizations that you can join. This is a great way to meet new people that share similar interests as you. I’m a part of AGR, which is the Ag fraternity here on campus. And I’m a part of MANRRS, which is a minority club of students, that are in science or Ag Department. These organizations have given me a lot of opportunity to better myself as a person. I was very fortunate to get an interview with the Pennsylvania secretary of agriculture. We got to talk about MANRRS and why it’s important that there’s diversity in agriculture. This is a great way for me to speak about my passion for the industry and spark others who were interested in agriculture.
I hold the recruitment chair for AGR, which has taught me how to be more responsible and how to become a better leader. Another great way to get involved on campus is Activities Day, also known as A Day. A Day is a big event we host here at DelVal that is open to the public. A Day host of livestock show, which is open to all students, who get the experience showing a livestock animal. I got the opportunity to show a beef steer, which was a really cool experience. Well, yo, I’m glad I got to share my experience here at DelVal and I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you for letting me share my story. What’s next, Alex?
Great job, Darian. We have a feeling you’re on the path to being a successful cattle rancher. An A Day sounds like an amazing event. I understand that thousands of people from the community come to campus for this entirely student run event. It’s incredible. Thanks to that Darian.
– Hello everyone, and welcome to Columbia College, Chicago. Founded in 1890, this is a private nonprofit college situated right next to Lake Michigan and Grant Park. This school offers a one of a kind curriculum that blends fine performing and media arts communications, liberal arts, and sciences, business, and technology. The community here celebrates all ways of being and deeply values the intersecting differences amongst students, faculty, and staff. Students here see the world through a creative lens. They’re working in their chosen industries before graduation, and they’ve paid pathways for careers that might not yet exist. Columbia train students for what employers expect, but also prepares them to adapt to the unexpected. So get ready, you’ll be hearing from some outstanding Columbia students about how they got here and what it’s like pursuing a career in the creative industries. Once again, welcome to Columbia College, Chicago, this is the college tour. Creativity is Columbia’s heartbeat. It drives the academic experience. Columbia knows creativity is a facet of being a learner and a citizen. Plus it’s a sought after professional skill that gives students a competitive edge in the job market. We’re kicking things off with Jory. He’s a sophomore, acting major, who’s gonna tell us more about the value of creativity. It’s all you Jory.
– Thank you, Alex. What’s up, everyone. Growing up with the educators as parents, college was never a choice, but a requirement. When I started my senior year, I felt like I was ready to take the next step toward college, but I didn’t really feel like any school fit me and all of my passions. But one day a Columbia representative came and spoke to my senior class about this gem in Downtown Chicago. Columbia offered me everything I needed for my growth, not only as an artist, but as a person as well. I love creativity at Columbia. To me, creativity is more than just having a good idea, it’s the way you lead your life. Whether it’s the clothes you wear, the way you style your hair or your overall demeanor, it is your guide. Most schools and arts programs do value creativity, but they value their own style of creativity. However, Columbia allows you to spread your wings and fly. Here I’m an acting major, but I also have some interest in music business. Columbia made sure there was extra space in my schedule to take some of those extra interests as electives. That’s what I love about Columbia. This school is always on your side ready to make it work for you as best as they can. And outside of Columbia, creativity is essential to my existence. As an African-American man, there’s day-to-day pressures in my life, creativity is often the only place where I can release and express myself freely without being judged. It’s these little things that helped me break through barriers and live authentically. This past school year was challenging for all of us. And I struggled with my own lack of inspiration in my acting. Usually when I have these dry spouts, I turn to music or classic films, but this time I wanted to push myself a little bit further. So I sat down in my dorm and I taught myself how to DJ. DJing is the perfect creative outlet, because it allows me to still take some time off while keeping my brain inspired. College is more than about just learning or developing a job skill, it’s about learning life. Since moving away, I’m learned and discover things about myself that I never knew before. I’ve taken time to examine what I want and who I want to be. And now, I get to design my life however I want to. It’s like being thrown in the ocean and told to swim, but luckily I have my Columbia life that’s there encouraging me to keep paddling. Back to you, Alex.
– Jory, thanks for that. It’s truly remarkable to hear the ways Columbia encourages students like you to pursue your passions. Clearly you’ve got great things waiting for you. Thanks again. Chicago is part of Columbia’s name for a reason. From the south new campus, students can access museums, theaters, music venues, galleries, and connect to internships and other professional opportunities.
Everyone learns differently. That’s why from your first day on campus, there’s a team of academic advisors, tutors, career advisors, and counselors available to ensure your academic and personal experience at Columbia stays positive. Junior creative writing major, Daniel is gonna tell us about how working with Columbia support offices has set him up for success.
– Hi everyone. When I was a freshman in high school, my brother was a senior looking at colleges. I remember sitting next to him in an informational meeting of Columbia College, Chicago. And when it was over, I looked at him and said, “I don’t know where you’re going to school, “but I’m going to Columbia.” We both ended up here. And for me, Columbia was the only college I applied to. But back in high school, I was constantly on edge. My family wasn’t aware of my school’s fundamentalist Christian history until it was too late. I was constantly having to advocate for myself. I was the queer Jewish student on campus. On top of all of this during my senior year, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia, a learning disability that governance executive skills. I was given a 504 plan, which ensures a person with a disability identified under the law receives accommodations for better academic success. I still had to implement every accommodation myself, all while educating others around me about my identities. I struggled super hard to get my high school rates to a passable place, all while juggling choir practice, serving as president of three different student organizations and performing in countless musicals. None of this was easy with the added stresses of homophobia, ableism, and antisemitism. Everything changed when I got to Columbia and my first meeting with Jean Kelly, Director of Services for Students with Disabilities, she told me we would use my accommodations in my 504 plan to create new accommodations, such as having a note taker or extended time on tests. I laughed in her face. This was so different to anything I’d ever experienced. Columbia College Chicago was my light at the end of the tunnel. Once I finally got to Chicago, I went from having a 2.0 GPA to being on the Dean’s list, both semesters of my first year. Now I’m a junior currently serving on the board of the Columbia College Chicago, Audio Drama Club, and the school has been the perfect place for me. Back in high school, no one wanted to see me succeed, but here everyone supports me. So if you’re creative, maybe a little different and marks the beat of your own drum, Columbia is the perfect place for you too. Thanks for listening. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks Daniel.
Up next, we’ll meet scholar athlete Marqus, who’s a member of the NCAA division two Wildcat basketball team. He’s also getting a degree in Pre-med, and is well on his way to be coming to doctor. The commitment Wildcat athletics places on ensuring academics is at the forefront of the student athlete experience was very important to Marqus, and the reason he chose to come to CWU. Take it away Marqus.
– Thanks Alex. Hey, there. There are two reasons why I chose CWU, coach Rinta, and the academic offering of the school. I remember getting a phone call from coach, explaining how he wants to me on the team. And I could tell from this conversation, how much enthusiasm he has for being a wild cat. My plan is to attend medical school. So I knew I had a hard undergraduate program to complete. Finding a school with a quality science program, and an athletic program that values academics was important to me. I was impressed with Central small class sizes, and the quality of the Pre-med program. Plus, once I saw the Wildcat academic success center in the library, a study lounge for athletes, I knew the athletic program was committed to ensuring academics was at the forefront of my experience at CWU. This was the balance I was looking for. As a Wildcat, it is my goal to work hard on and off the court. Not just when games, but be a proud, and successful part of the academic community. My professors have all demonstrated how much they want me to succeed. I attribute their dedication to my making the Dean’s list, and the all academic team for the conference. I’ve grown a lot in my time at Central. I’ve expanded connections that’ll help build my career, and made friends that’ll last lifetime. I value the lessons I’ve learned as a student athlete. These are skills that’ll help serve me for the rest of my life. I’m proud to be a Wildcat. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Okay Marqus. Next step, medical school, way to go. No doubt for all the athletes, and coaches on Central’s 13 varsity teams. Wildcat pride means so much more than pride in sports. It’s pride in academics as well. What a story, Marqus. Great job. Thanks for sharing.
Okay, now let’s head over and meet Keiandra over at the Multicultural Center here on campus. Keiandra is a sophomore majoring in psychology with a minor in women’s studies and anthropology. She’s gonna talk to us about the affordability factor here at East Tennessee State University Keiandra, you are on.
– Hey guys. When I first started looking into colleges I wasn’t really sure where to start. I knew that money would be a big factor because I was paying for college on my own. I originally wanted to pursue athletic scholarships to play college volleyball and was in the middle of the recruitment process when I found out about the Roan scholars leadership program and began looking into ETSU. The Roan is a four-year scholarship program intended to develop leaders from our region and positively impact our campus and our community. By providing us with unique experiences and connections I would have the opportunity to Excel in and out of the classroom. With the promise of graduating debt free it was an opportunity I can never pass up and has led me to an unbelievable college experience. Once I got to ETSU I can no longer see myself anywhere else. My scholarship program gave me an immediate set of friends to start college with and our directors provided advising that made the transition from high school to college so much easier. Throughout my time at ETSU this initial support system has remained present and expanded to meet my needs and allow me to grow personally and professionally. Being a part of a community at ETSU has taught me a lot about expanding my comfort zones and reaching for goals that will truly allow me to grow as a student and as a leader. This past summer I participated in my leadership group summer service initiative. During the summer after our freshman year, each scholar spend six weeks in a service-based internship and I was able to use mine to help my hometown with the effects of the pandemic on education. I tutored grade school students and helped my former high school with canceled events like prom and graduation. ETSU has also allowed me to surround myself with other student leaders and given me the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of individuals with varying talents and interests. ETSU has given me the opportunity to have a well-rounded college experience without financial burdens. Because of my scholarships I’ll be one of many students to graduate debt free from ETSU. Our university provides multiple opportunities for affordability. ETSU recently reset out-of-state tuition rates so that it’s more affordable than ever to attend ETSU as an out-of-state student. For Tennessee residents we have special programs like ETSU promise plus that offer financial assistance and unique first year experiences. ETSU has been one of the best decisions of my entire life. And if I had to do it all over again I would. Alex, back to you.
– Keiandra, great job. That’s fantastic. The experiences you’re having here along with the affordable costs is just a great story. Thanks again for sharing that. Cheers.
Okay, everyone. Now it’s time to slow things down for a second. We are so excited about an ETSU alumna who’s gonna inspire you all. Her name is Amythyst. Her song was nominated for a Grammy and her passion for writing, recording and performing music is simply unbelievable. Amythyst studied bluegrass, old time and country music right here at ETSU and she’s excited to share her story with all of us right now. Amythyst, please take it away.
– Hey everybody. So my time here at the bluegrass old time country music program played a pivotal role in being able to connect with the wider music community and to be able to make a career being a full-time musician. My very first encounter here at ETSU is with a man named Jack Tottle. He was the founder of bluegrass old time and country music studies and he was also teaching a bluegrass guitar class at the time.
I had a short stint of playing classical guitar in high school but I decided that I didn’t wanna pursue it in college just because I really was annoyed by having to learn classical form ’cause I’d always learned how to play music by ear. So when I called Jack to ask about the class one of the first things that I asked him was if I was gonna have to sight read or have to use any sheet music to take his course. And he laughed, which I wasn’t expecting. He said, no, this is an oral tradition. This music is passed down from person to person, from knee to knee.
For me, that was the beginning. I was finally gonna be able to be in an environment where I can study music and also have my way of learning music be appreciated. ♪ I wanna jump the fence and wash my face in the creek ♪ ♪ But I’m black myself ♪ Earlier this year I got nominated for a Grammy for a song that I wrote called “Black Myself” and it was nominated in the best American roots song category.
And I wrote that song for a project that I was a part of called Songs of Our Native Daughters and it was alongside Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla and Alison Russell, four amazing artists. This program really gives you all the tools that you need to be a professional musician. There are instrument instruction classes. There are different sections of band and there’s recording engineering classes. There’s a live sound class. And there’s these amazing classes on culture and history as well. In my opinion, that’s the best way to become a well-rounded, confident and educated musician.
If you are coming to ETSU and you’re interested in getting experience performing, there are plenty of opportunities in this region to be able to do that. My entire time at East Tennessee State University I was able to perform at festivals, farmers markets, venues, and concert series all over the region. And I even got a chance to intern at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, which is in Bristol, Virginia. I was a member of the content curation team. That’s just one example of the many things that you’ll be able to do and access here if you want to be able to perform. And with that, that’s my story. And I’m gonna send it back to you, Alex. ♪ Black myself ♪
– Amythyst, wow. That was awesome. I am so glad you followed your passion for music at ETSU and that you’ve had such an incredible success in your music career since graduating. Thank you for sharing your incredible experience with us. We can’t wait to see one of your upcoming performances real soon. Cheers Amythyst.
Okay, everyone, now that we’ve seen a little of Baylor’s campus, it’s time to learn more about the city Baylor calls home. We’ve got Lindsey standing by at the Magnolia Silos, made famous by Baylor alums Chip and Joanna Gaines. Lindsey’s a junior at Baylor majoring in corporate communications with a minor in nonprofit marketing. She’s gonna tell us everything she loves about living in Waco, and give us some insider tips on how to enjoy the city like a local. Lindsey, please take it away.
Thanks, Alex, and hi, everyone. I am so excited to talk to you about Waco today, because when you decide on a college, you’re not only choosing the university, you’re also choosing the city. For me, Waco quickly became my home away from home, and I hope today gives you a glimpse into its many treasures. Waco has a population of about 136,000 people, making it that perfect size to give you a small-town feel with the big-city advantages. Whether you’re walking, biking, or running through Cameron Park, attending the farmer’s market on Saturday, going to one of the live venues for some music, or eating at one of the numerous local restaurants, I promise you will never run out of things to do or places to explore. And, as an added bonus, Waco is the birthplace of Dr Pepper. There’s even a museum dedicated to it. As a Baylor student, you’ll likely find yourself in the Silo District. Walk around the shops at Magnolia, get a cupcake treat from the bakery. I promise your taste buds will thank you. Although you may be thinking Magnolia is full of tourists, I can assure you, you’ll find the prime times to come as a local. Speaking from personal experience, I’ve never had trouble finding a seat at their coffee shop, Magnolia Press, and walking around the shops is the best study break. Throughout the week, I often run into a friend at one of my favorite coffee shops. Common Grounds is within walking distance to campus, and a live music venue. Pinewood is beloved for its area aesthetic, and music played from a record player. Fabled is unique because it also doubles as a bookstore, and for you night owls, Dichotomy is open until midnight. The Mayborn Museum is perfect for those who enjoy natural history. Their Waco Mammoth National Monument exhibit is one of my favorites. It offers visitors an additional experience where fossils of 25 Colombian mammoths are preserved. My freshman year, I created a food list of places in Waco to try, because there are so many great options. George’s is a local favorite, and adored for its Wing Wednesdays, not to mention Union Hall in Downtown Waco, which has quickly become a fan favorite for its upscale food court vibes and the options it provides for everyone. Overall, Waco is growing and continues to thrive. There are so many things to do, you’ll wish you had more time. Thank you so much for letting me share my love for Waco with you. Back to you, Alex.
Lindsey, good job. How do you find time to study with so many cool things to do in Waco? I know I’ve certainly loved my time here. We really appreciate you sharing that story. Take care, Lindsey.
Okay, next let’s go meet up with Xiaona. His friends call him Charlie. He is studying supply chain management along with a minor in sustainability. He’s one of the many international students here at ASU. And he’s gonna walk us through the power of diversity here on Campus. Xiaona, the floor is all yours.
Hey guys, how’s it going? My name’s Charlie. I came from the fastest growing city in China, Shenzhen, and I’m studying supply chain management along with a minor in sustainability. My favorite part about gonna ASU is not only do you get the authentic American studying environment, but also you get to meet people from all over the world.
I remember the moving day of freshman year. Unlike most people who has connected with their roommates already, I walked in my residential hall having no idea who to expect. And there were another three Asian guys looking at me as I opened the door. My roommates were three international exchange students from Kyoto, Japan. They’re the first ever Japanese I’ve ever met, and they introduced me to the best sushi place ever in town, and I learned so much Japanese from them.
As the world becomes more and more advanced, technology will bring people closer together whether you like it or not. Studying at ESU as an international student really gives me this awesome opportunity of exploring different cultures and communicate with everyone respectfully. After interacting with people from all over the world, I learned to embrace diversity and see things from different perspectives. I hope you guys learned much about ASU’s diversity. Thank you so much. It’s back to you, Alex.
Xiaona, thank you for walking us through diversity here at Arizona State University. The many cultures embedded in this university is awesome and I just absolutely love how inclusive all the students are here. Great job. Cheers, Charlie.
Are you all ready for some ASU football or what? Let’s head down to Sun Devil Stadium to meet Kyle Williams, a recent graduate of ASU. Kyle was a star wide receiver on the football team. And he’s gonna take a few minutes to talk about athletics and how participation in athletics goes way beyond being an athlete or a fan, here at ASU. Kyle, you’re on.
What’s up guys? Welcome to Sun Devil Stadium. This is the place to be on Saturday nights. Good food, the crowd is roaring, good energy. Everyone’s going crazy. The competitors are scared. You wanna be in the Inferno. But first let me tell you how I ended up at ASU.
Growing up, I liked math and science, these are my favorite subjects, and I want to go to a university where I was able to express myself in these ways. And I chose ASU for one reason and one reason alone. It gave me a competitive advantage to be a good player and also resources I need to be the best engineer that I could be.
The student athlete experience at Arizona State is unlike any other experience in the world. Arizona State truly embodies that fantasized ideology about college and energy and just fun. And it starts with tradition. And our first and main tradition at ASU is Pat Tillman. He was a late American hero who died in battle. But here at Arizona State, we embody him as a true presence of our vigor, of our might, and of our strength. Every year, we have a game where we dress in cameo, looking all cool to tip our hats to the military and to service men and women across the globe.
Another aspect of the student athlete experience at Arizona State University is a strong alumni network. We have years and years of players and coaches who come back and pour into the current program. Along with that is the lineage of great coaches that we’ve had at ASU. One being Frank Kush, who was the most winning coach in ACU history, and who the whole field is named after.
Now let me tell you about game day. Your blood is pumping, the fireworks are going, the Inferno is roaring. And let me tell you, the Inferno, that’s where you wanna be. Reserved for only the craziest and loudest ASU fans. There’s no better feeling than scoring a touchdown and hearing the Inferno go wild. And the cool thing is that Sun Devils support Sun Devils, not only in football, but across all sports on campus.
And outside of the field, court, and arena, ASU athletics provides two key factors for athlete success. The first of those is nutritional care. Where athletes can see a dietician to receive custom plans for the fueling habits for optimum performance. And the second thing is academic guidance where student athletes can receive a mentor who helps them choose career paths, major, and also gives them opportunities for extracurricular activities.
Personally, for me, that was my internship at the Mayo Clinic, where I found my love for medical devices and healthcare provision. And ASU being the pioneer in modern education than it is, really cares about not only your athletic performance, but about creating world changers and finding your true passion. ASU as a whole is emerging as a top dog in research and athletic performance. And this is done throughout the whole Pac-12 through a competitive yet collaborative nature where schools compete against each other at a high level, but still uphold, respect, and support each other to reach their full potential.
All in all, my time at ASU has really changed the trajectory of my life. I know it sounds a little cliche, but truly the summation of events I’ve undergone at Arizona State University has made me the athlete and engineer I am today. So whether you’re a student or an athlete, come to ASU where you can achieve both at a high level. Forks up and back to you, Alex.
Kyle, that was awesome. Thank you for walking us through that. I can’t imagine what it was like playing in Sun Devil Stadium with all your loyal fans. And thank you for taking time to go into how ASU is helping you all succeed on and off the field. That was fun. Thanks again, Kyle.