Let’s head over to the beautiful spot here on Campus in front of Old Main. Here we have Cyrus, who is a senior, and get this, is triple majoring in political science, history, and French with a minor in sustainability and public service and public policy, as well as certificates in cross-sector leadership and international studies. That is unbelievable. And he’s gonna talk to us about ASU’s customization and how students can design their own experience. Cyrus, the floor is all yours.
Thank you so much for that introduction, Alex. We are standing outside of Old Main, and a little fun fact for you. Teddy Roosevelt gave a speech right on those steps when I think Arizona was still a territory. So that’s some fun history that we get to live with every day here at ASU. I’m here to talk to you about my academic plan and how that has been generously supported through the university.
I have earned a full four-year scholarship to ASU through the Next Generation Service Corps. It’s a scholarship program that the university created in order to foster the next generation of public servants. It’s really been gratifying. I’ve fallen in love with things, fallen out of love with things, and really just gotten to experience the best that ASU has to offer.
I actually started with ASU as a political science major because I love politics, I’ve always loved politics, and I thought that was a really great way to learn the technical side of what politics and governance looks like. And then I’m also minoring in sustainability, and that is a minor that ASU just really makes accessible to every major, because the university believes that we should be talking about sustainability in all disciplines. We need to be factoring the planet into every single thing that we do as a university and also outside in the real world. And then also I added a public service public policy minor just to kind of round out that technical education, learning about tax policy and education policy and how they go hand in hand.
Something that I have taken full advantage of during my time here are A, B, and C session courses. A and B session courses are a thing where you can take a full semester’s worth of work in half the time. So you get the most out of your money and your time here at ASU. And there’s also C session courses, which is the more traditional class schedule, and ASU offers different ways to take these courses. So you can do entirely online, you can do in-person entirely with masks and social distancing, or you can do something called ASU Sync, where your professor is teaching in the classroom full-time and you’re watching at home on Zoom.
So I hope I haven’t painted you a picture that is just all school. I’ve done the fun internships. I’ve seen things inside and outside of the university. So I hope you give ASU a look if customizing your education and making it what you want is something that you value. Thank you so much for your time and back to you, Alex.
Cyrus, thank you for sharing that. The customization available here at Arizona State University is awesome. That was fantastic, thanks again. Cheers, Cyrus.
Okay, you are gonna love this next student’s story. Let’s go meet up with Breanna. She’s a sophomore studying sustainability and urban planning, and she’s gonna talk us through what sustainability here at ASU is all about. And it’s incredible what you all are doing here to save this precious planet. Breanna, The floor is all yours.
Hi, Alex. Thank you. So, my ASU experience was a little bit of a happy coincidence. I’m originally from the DC area and I was visiting Phoenix to tour with some cousins. And my mom told me I had to tour ASU because I had to see what a big West Coast school was like. I wasn’t expecting anything of it. I wasn’t even really planning on applying. But after touring ASU and Barrett, I loved it.
The Campus was gorgeous, everyone seemed so nice. And after that, ASU was always kind of in the back of my mind. And then midway through the application process, I found out about sustainability and I gave it a Google and ASU was the first school that popped up. Little did I know, I was already admitted to the university with the best sustainability school in the country. So I toured about 12 other universities and I don’t think a single one of them had such a sustainable focus. I don’t think sustainability is in the vocabulary of a lot of other universities. Here, sustainability is such a common word and we are already carbon neutral. We actually plan to be climate positive by 2035, which is insane for a university of this size.
Even though the School of Sustainability is small, it was so enticing to me because the program is so developed. We were actually the first school of sustainability in the country, and we have so many opportunities here. We have an advisor just helping us get internships and we almost have more internships than we do students. It’s amazing. And we’re embedded in a tier one research institution in one of the largest metropolitan areas of the country. Sustainability is super important and exciting to me because it’s a growing field and it’s literally our future.
I’m excited to be a part of that change and everything I’m doing makes me happy because I know that my major is meaningful and I will actually have a real impact on other people in a positive way. So thank you for letting me share my story and my passion. Back to you, Alex.
Breanna, that was awesome. Your passion for sustainability is palpable. And what ASU is tangibly doing to make a positive impact is incredible. Thank you for taking the time to speak on that. Bye, Breanna.
All right, let’s head into one of the most popular academic buildings on campus. Samuel is a senior and is going to show us around and share what all he gets to do in this in demand Communications major. Asbury is highly recognized for its world-class media communications major, that includes film production, theater, communications, public relations, and journalism. Sam, show us what’s happening here.
– What’s going on you guys. My name is Samuel Diaz, and growing up in an immigrant family of seven, I knew I wanted to do something that impacted people. And Asbury University gave me the chance to do just that. As a communications major, I’ve been fortunate to learn alongside a diverse group of students in an environment where we can both grow and succeed. That’s what we like to call the Asbury difference. Here, you can get hands-on in communications, journalism, public relations, theater arts, and health communications. Our world-class media comm department teaches television and video film production, multimedia, and production design. While attending Asbury, I’ve partnered with local businesses, providing them with tools for successful launch, such as business plans and social media strategies. I’ve discovered a new field that I love and I’ve been able to apply my learning in real world situations. There are incredible opportunities to succeed in and out of the classroom Asbury, and our exceptional faculty pour into each and every one of the students here. One of Asbury’s biggest events is the High Bridge Film Festival, where student filmmakers submit their best work to premiere on the big screen. The red carpet is rolled out and we bring in judges and speakers from Hollywood. Oh, and did I mention that the festival is run completely by students? That’s right. We film, host and produce the event. Last spring, my special events class hosted the festival and I led the PR team. As I enter my final year at Asbury, I’m thankful for the ways they have equipped me to truly go out there and make a difference. This small, beautiful campus in central Kentucky has turned into a world of opportunity and I’m grateful to have had started my journey at Asbury. Well, that’s all the time I have now. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow Samuel, thank you for sharing the Asbury difference in what valuable, hands-on training in the communications field is available to students. As someone who has been in front of the camera and behind the camera, this place is truly stellar and provides an experience of a lifetime for getting ahead in the job market. Thanks Samuel.
Now we’re gonna head over to the Barrett Residential Complex. Here, we’re gonna meet Emma Broyles. She’s a sophomore studying biomedical sciences and voice performance, and she’s gonna take a moment to walk us through resident living here on campus at Arizona State University. Emma, please take it away.
Thanks, Alex. So, one of the main reasons I chose ASU was actually because of the campuses and campus life. So I’m a student on the Tempe Campus, which lies in the heart of Tempe, Arizona. And the nice thing about this is I get to experience life in Tempe while only being a short drive from downtown Phoenix, which I can get to on the campus shuttles.
The Tempe Campus is ASU’s most populated campus with over 50,000 students. And I really would say that the energy on this campus is unmatched with any other college campus that I had toured. Additionally, you can go see a Broadway show at the ASU Gammage Auditorium, or you can go shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square. You can even take a shuttle downtown and go check out the science center or the art museum. There truly is something different to do every weekend. The Tempe Campus is home to eight different residential communities in which the first year students live alongside other students with similar majors. Getting to live alongside students with the same major is great, not only because you’re taking most of the same classes, but also because you get to build relationships with like-minded students who you may just end up working alongside someday.
Additionally, these residential communities are very conveniently located. So, students are only a short walk away from their classes, the dining halls, and the gym. For me, living on campus was an opportunity to make new friends and build meaningful relationships. I flew six hours from Alaska to Arizona by myself, knowing absolutely no one here. But within the first semester of my freshman year, I felt like I had known my group of friends here my entire life. And my roommates from my freshman year are still some of my closest friends today. And I owe that to living on campus.
ASU also has a ton of on-campus job opportunities. And when you’re a student like me who’s from out of state or maybe doesn’t have a car here, this is certainly ideal. My first year, I actually worked at the Barrett residential front desk where I learned all about ASU housing and got to meet some of my closest friends today. I am now a community assistant, which is commonly referred to as residential assistant or RA at other universities, but I get to live alongside the first-year students and act as a resource for them. The on-campus experience is something you only get once in a lifetime, and ASU’s campus truly is the place to be. I hope you learn a little bit more about what it’s like to live on campus at ASU. Back to you, Alex.
Emma, that was fantastic. Thank you for sharing all of that. ASU has so many amazing living options, it’s incredible. That was great. Thanks again, Emma.
All right, everyone, let’s now head over to ASU’s West Campus. It’s gorgeous over here. Here we have Nathaniel Gomez waiting. He’s a junior majoring in cybersecurity and he’s excited to talk about wellness here at ASU. Nathaniel, the floor is all yours.
Hello, everybody. I’m from El Paso, Texas, and I came at ASU because of the diversity. I wanted to learn and grow with people unique and different than myself. But I found myself staying because of the person I’m becoming. Throughout my time at ASU, I began noticing these buzzwords surrounding me on all four campuses. Things such as mindfulness, consciousness, and other aspects of wellness. This began to make me curious.
I remember meeting with my advisor for the first time and they asked how I was doing genuinely before even bringing up the topic of school. This, of course, was new to me. I was later assured that this is only natural to feel these types of feelings, but let alone this did not have to be the case. When I wasn’t doing or feeling my best, I was directed to counseling services, health services, and my favorite place, the Zen Den. Between my busy schedule and my busy mind stressing about school and plans, I would visit the Zen Den routinely to meditate, relax, and recollect myself. This actually helped me do better in classes, nurtured great relationships, and taught me what wellness is all about.
Now that I was feeling confident and ready mentally and internally, I wanted to feel better physically. I would visit the fitness center mostly because it was beautiful, but a friend of mine invited me to an evening yoga class which introduced a new ease that I had not known before. I later started coming more into these instructed workouts and grew a relationship with these instructors. Between meditating, learning about nutrition and my body, I made some beautiful and meaningful friends that helped motivate me and enhanced my experience on campus. Even in classes, you’re asked to be mindful. Instructors know college can be difficult, so they work with you. Faculty and staff value you and your growth and know your health is top priority.
I think with this kind of support, it’s allowed me to be the happiest I’ve ever been. With a healthy mind and spirit, it’s allowed me to really appreciate the Sun Devil Fitness Center, where I can go and get a nutrition plan, personal trainer, and even instructed workouts. My parents feel a lot more comfortable knowing that this is accessible to me. I feel more comfortable knowing that they will invite me and all that I am with kindness and solutions. Alex, that’s my story on wellness. Take it back.
Nathaniel. Wow, that was cool. We appreciate you opening up and telling us what ASU is doing to keep wellness in the forefront of students’ lives here. By the way, I need to come to that meditation Zen Den.
Okay, everyone, now we’re heading over to McLane Stadium, Baylor’s football stadium that sits along the Brazos River. There, we’ll meet up with Adan De La Garza. He just graduated with his degree from Baylor in corporate communications, and is now working on his master’s in strategic management and consulting. Adan can’t wait to tell us all about Baylor Athletics, and I think he might just have a special guest with him. If you’re a fan of college athletics, you’re certainly gonna want to watch this. Adan, please take it away.
Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. Baylor University is a member of the Big 12 Conference, and is home to 19 Division I sports, 26 club sports, and 17 intramural sports. You may have heard our Baylor men’s basketball team recently snagged the title of 2021 national champions, while our women’s team claimed that same title back in 2019. Our women’s acrobatics and tumbling team have also earned the title of national champions for six consecutive years now. I’m with Baylor’s 2021 national championship-winning men’s basketball coach, Scott Drew, here, to talk to you about some of the amazing experiences students will encounter with athletics. Well, first and foremost, we wouldn’t have this trophy if it wasn’t for our great students and the environment they provide all our athletics. In fact, 14 out of 17 of our sports were ranked in the top 25, in large part because of the students and the great environment they provide. We need future generations, and the next students to be just as loud so we can keep winning trophies like this. Thanks, Coach Drew, and Sic ’em, Bears. Another amazing aspect of Baylor Athletics is our impressive McLane Stadium, where the Bears play football. McLane is one of only three waterfront stadiums in the entire nation. One of our most exciting game day traditions is the Baylor Line, which is a truly one-of-a-kind experience where you and 3,000 of your closest friends, i.e. the entire freshmen class, are gonna come over here in your golden Baylor Line jerseys. You’re gonna storm the field with your entire class, all while 50,000 people are gonna be cheering for you. The sun will be high, the music will be loud, and the adrenaline will be pumping through you. Once you reach the other side of the field, you’ll form a human tunnel for the Baylor football team to run through, and after that, you and your entire class will fill in the first 12 rows of golden bleachers, specifically reserved for Baylor University freshmen. We call these the best seats in the house because you’re situated right behind the opposing team, where you can yell really encouraging and nice things at them throughout the entire game, and just let ’em know it’s okay to lose. If competing is what you love, feel free to join any one of our clubs sports here. I love the rowing team, one, because I’ve been with them for eight semesters, and two, because I’m an assistant coach. We practice right here on the Brazos and compete against Big 12 Conference schools, as well as other schools across the nation. Baylor offers everything from rowing to rugby to water polo, and no prior experience is required to join any of these. And to top it all off, all athletic events for Baylor University students are free to attend. All you have to do is swipe your ID and you’re good to go. At Baylor, we have world-class athletics, world-class students, and world-class experiences that all come together to make your time here just that much more special. Thank you for letting me share my favorite parts about Baylor Athletics. Now back to you, Alex.
Great job, Adan. You absolutely put the fan in Baylor fanatic, and getting a chance to meet Coach Drew and hearing about the amazing experience of running with the Baylor Line was so cool. Thanks again for that, Adan. Take care.
All right, folks, let’s check out another aspect of Baylor University that makes it truly unique. We’re gonna meet up with Aidan. She’s a junior double majoring in human resource management and Spanish. Aidan can’t wait to introduce you to two of her favorite Baylor bears who are always hanging out on campus. Aidan, you are on.
Thanks, Alex. I’m standing in front of the Bill & Eva Williams Bear Habitat, which is a class C zoo located in the heart of Baylor’s campus. Inside, we have some of the most memorable individuals of the Baylor community, two North American black bears named Lady and Joy. They are biological sisters from Oregon, and are 19 and 20 years old, respectively. Lady and Joy are taken care of by a student group on campus called the Baylor Chamber of Commerce, or Baylor Chamber, for short. This organization has been caring for Baylor’s bears for over 100 years, and they do a remarkable job. The bears eat twice a day. Once in the morning, and once in the evening. Their primary diet consists of raw meats, fruits, and vegetables, but I’ve occasionally seen them enjoy peanut butter inside their toys. Both Lady and Joy are trained to do the Baylor Sic ’em, which is a natural movement for them in the wild when pulling leaves and berries from low-hanging branches. In fact, Lady is left-pawed, and the only one allowed to do a Sic ’em with her left hand, because every Baylor Bear knows a Sic ’em, the symbol of spirit used at athletic events and other celebrations, is traditionally done with the right hand. I’ve stopped by the Bear Habitat many times to see a member of the Chamber conduct training routines with the bears to evaluate their health and provide mental stimulation. Just a few weeks ago, I spoke with a trainer who explained the importance of Lady and Joy’s oral hygiene. Bears can get cavities, too. To demonstrate this, he motioned for Joy to open her mouth widely for inspection. Not only was I impressed by her sharp teeth, but I was reminded that these exercises ensure that the bears are healthy and content. As a student, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed having live bears on campus. This habitat is a serene place to come visit and take my mind off of school-related activities. When they were cubs, Lady and Joy were able to walk the grounds of the university with members of the Chamber. Now that they’re older and bigger, they have a special playground outside of town where they periodically go to enjoy outdoor activities. It’s special to have Lady and Joy so close to us. They bring the student body together, and mark another unique aspect of the Baylor family. That’s all from the Bear Habitat. What’s next, Alex?
Wow, Aidan, that was fun! It was great to hear about Baylor’s live bears and their home on campus. It sounds like they’re really members of the Baylor family, and are well cared for and loved, which is awesome. I mean, you even throw ’em birthday parties, for crying out loud. How fun is that? Thanks again for letting us meet Joy and Lady. Take care, Aidan.
Next, we’re headed to the home of Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business to meet up with Dr. Jonathan Tran. He teaches in the religion department and the Honors College, and he’s excited to share about what compels him to invest in his students, and how the student-teacher relationship at Baylor adds to the student experience. Dr. Tran, you are up.
Thank you, Alex. I’m here at the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, home of Baylor’s nationally-ranked business school, and one of the top 10 entrepreneurship programs in the country, and I want to give you a professor’s perspective on life at Baylor. There are so many things I love about being on the Baylor faculty. The university does a ton of stuff to support my research as an ethicist, and the campus is chock-full of super smart people doing important, interesting, and innovative research. And who doesn’t like being part of a school with a world-class athletics program? It’s great to have students in your classroom who also excel on the national stage. But, really, what makes teaching at Baylor great are the students. The university has a long tradition of creating amazing experiences in the classroom. There, we bat around ideas that have huge implications for us and the world in which we find ourselves. As a society, we have so many challenges in front of us. We’re learning more and more every day about the challenges and complexities that come with an increasingly globalized world. When I think about the problems, on their own, they can be overwhelming, but when I think about what students are doing to meet these challenges head-on with their dreams, their passions, and their dedication, I think to myself, this is what Baylor is here for. Learning all of this can be a lot, and Baylor is well-known for its academic rigor, but as students begin to put it together and imagine the impact they can have on the world, it becomes all worth it. As an undergraduate moves through her undergraduate education, the university comes alongside her with all these remarkable resources, either for career-planning or helping her get a job or preparing for education at the next level. Baylor has so many outstanding resources, and all the state-of-the-art facilities that come with them, certainly in business and computer science and engineering, and we also produce a bunch of students headed to the frontlines as medical care providers. We also have outstanding programs in the humanities, social sciences, and the arts. It’s the combination of the kind of student that comes to Baylor and the faculty committed to developing their dreams that makes for a truly transformative education. This is absolutely the kinda stuff that gets me out of bed in the morning. I love these students. I love what they’re doing, what they’re thinking through, what they’re dreaming about. It’s amazing to be a part of their lives as they grow into the kind of people that will change our world. Now back to you, Alex.
Dr. Tran, that was great. It sounds like you really have a passion for helping your students achieve their goals. I bet anyone would enjoy taking one, or even two or three of your classes. Keep up the good work, and thanks again.
Alright folks, next we’re gonna head over to meet Gabby. She’s a senior studying choral music education. And she’s going to tell us all about Baylor student life outside of the classroom. Okay Gabby, it’s all yours!
Thanks, Alex! Hi Everyone. I want you to know that student life at Baylor is unmatched! With over 350 student organizations at Baylor, there is something for everybody. Now I know that sounds overwhelming, but that’s why we have this awesome event called Late Night where every club, organization, and team is showcased so students can learn about them. Personally, I am in the Baylor chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, Baylor A Cappella Choir, the Pi Mu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and Baylor VirtuOSO — Baylor’s premier, pop/jazz A Cappella group. I especially love the creativity I get to explore with Virtuoso because, as students, we arrange and compose most of our numbers. Many of the organizations I’ve joined fuel my love of performing, and I’ve made lifelong friends within these groups. At Baylor, we also have Greek Life! About 30% of our students are in a sorority or fraternity, and there are 40 international, national, and local Greek organizations, including the Panhellenic and National Panhellenic Council. Now it’s important to note that Baylor does Greek life a little different. Freshmen don’t rush until Spring semester, giving students the opportunity to experience college life for a semester, make friends, and really get to know which organization might suit them best. Our Greek organizations also throw fun events for the whole university to enjoy such as Kappa Karnival and Delta Night Live. Every sorority, fraternity, and any other organizations who want to enter can participate in one of my favorite events — All University Sing, the largest off Broadway-style musical production you’ll ever see! Service to our community is also a part of student life. As Baylor Bears, we know it’s important to be good neighbors to our fellow Wacoans. Students interested in serving the Waco community can participate in Steppin’ Out – an event that happens twice a year where thousands of Baylor students collectively engage in community service throughout the day. This event allows Bears to give back to our neighbors who support Baylor in countless ways. Something that is very important to me is diversity and, here at Baylor, it is taken seriously. We have students at Baylor from all 50 US states and more than 90 countries. My favorite event on campus is Mosaic Mixer put on by our department of Multicultural Affairs, where all the cultural and ethnic sororities, fraternities, clubs, and organizations gather for one event. There is a showcase full of stepping, dancing, and singing from people of all different cultures and backgrounds. Speaking of which, Baylor has a residence hall dedicated solely to promoting diversity. It’s part of a group of living learning communities that are formed around similar interests or majors. The Baylor and Beyond Living Learning Center is housed in North Russell Hall, and students from very diverse backgrounds do life together. If you want to try a different country’s food every night and meet people of all different backgrounds, North Russell is the place for you. The campus hosts all kinds of activities throughout the year. You can attend events and lectures, musical performances, theater productions, art shows, outdoor festivals and can enjoy celebrations from a variety of other cultures – like Lunar New Year, Festival Latino, Gateway to India, Holi Festival and Kente Ceremony. There is something for everyone here at Baylor and everyone belongs, no matter what. Find your place here at Baylor, find your home! What’s up next, Alex?
Gabby….thank you! That was fantastic. Baylor really does have so many ways for students with all kinds of interests to get involved. Your story about finding your place at Baylor with your Virtuoso friends was phenomenal. What a cool experience! Thanks again, Gabby.
It’s now time for our final student here at ASU. Let’s get over to Changemaker Central and meet up with Trey Leveque. Trey is triple majoring in business law, business global politics, and business public service and public policy. And he’s gonna talk to us about lifelong learning at ASU and the many options for a universal learner here on campus or online. Trey, please take it away.
Hey, everyone. I decided to come to ASU for three main reasons. The first being I was able to connect a lot of the majors I wanted to pursue with passions that I have. The second being the amazing opportunities that are provided through Barret, the Honors College. And last but not least, the financial resources that I was able to receive coming into the university.
Coming into college, I wanted to be involved in a wide variety of clubs and organizations. I immediately got involved in organizations within the W.P. Carey School of Business, such as the Dean’s Advisory Council and the Business Ambassadors program. I also got involved in service-based clubs and organizations such as Changemaker Central, where I worked on their service team to plan monthly dates of service for ASU students. I also helped execute ASU’s largest day of service called Devils in Disguise.
As a Sun Devil, I’ve also been extremely supported in my journey of pursuing internships in the public, private, and nonprofit sector. One of my passions is higher education access and equity. My senior year of high school, I was extremely fortunate to be selected to join former First Lady Michelle Obama’s higher education initiative called Reach Higher as one of their 13 inaugural student advisory board members. After my first year of college, I continued my work with Reach Higher as one of their summer fellows in Washington, DC. In this role, I was able to support students of low income, minority, and first generation background pursue higher education and graduate from college.
These internships have taught me that it’s important to learn not only inside the classroom, but also outside the classroom, and have been a huge part of my journey of becoming a lifelong learner. This is only the beginning though, because I know my education doesn’t end the day I graduate. As a lifelong learner, I know I will be continuing to learn and grow throughout my professional career. ASC provides us so many opportunities for individuals at any age to be able to further their education through programs such as New Pathways, ASU Local, and enrollment partners such as Starbucks and Uber. There are also countless resources that ASE provides to facilitate lifelong learning, such as ASU for You, a set of digital educational resources for learners of all ages.
There’s also ASU Prep Digital, which is an accredited full-time online K-12 school, and Mirabella, a unique retirement experience where lifelong learners can engage in an intergenerational community fueled by the love of learning. It’s a new paradigm in senior living, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this exciting movement. Overall, these are all amazing opportunities and resources for any learner, from any background, at any stage in life. Whether you wanna move up in your company or if you just wanna learn a new skill, lifelong learning is for everyone. Join us as we become the next generation of lifelong learners. Throwing it back to you, Alex.
Trey, that was awesome. Great job. Your story is absolutely incredible. What you’re doing here through the university is just outstanding. Thank you for sharing your story. Take care, Trey.