Okay, next up is Antwon. A first-generation college student who is studying to become a registered nurse. Antwon shares his story of being nervous about having what it takes to become a nurse, but due to the encouragement of his professors, Antwon has seen his dream come true. Take it away, Antwon.
– Thank you for the intro, Alex. I knew from an early age that I wanted to go into the medical field and help others, but I was never exposed to the college decision-making process. On my first visit here, I really enjoyed how welcoming everyone was and the peaceful energy that seemed to surround the entire campus. I was nervous that as a first generation college student, I didn’t have what it took to make it through the nursing program, but the faculty and staff made me feel confident that I would be prepared to take the NCLEX, which is the national licensing exam. More than 95% of Carson-Newman nursing students pass the NCLEX on their first attempt. I’m thankful for my professors who have been there to push me further than I ever thought that I could go. An exciting addition coming to our campus in 2023 is the Drama & Ted Russell Center. This center will serve as the future hub for the nursing program. We will have access to additional classrooms, simulation labs, health assessment labs, and general skills labs. The nursing program at Carson-Newman helped me realize my full potential. Waking up early for clinicals and staying up late can be challenging, but is a part of the process. And I know that in the end I will be well-educated, and in the mission of a Christian university prepared to make an impact on the healthcare system. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Antwon. I’m sure you and all the other nursing students are excited about the new health sciences center and all it will bring to campus. And speaking of the other nursing students, a big congratulations is in order on your NCLEX pass rate. That’s amazing. Well done.
Okay, everyone, let’s move over to Burke-Tarr Stadium, where our next student and his teammates take to the field every Saturday in the fall. For Jesse, being a member of the Carson-Newman Eagles football team is more than just being an athlete. It’s a chance for him to be surrounded by coaches and players with strong Christian values and the work ethic to win championships. Jesse, please take it away.
– I appreciate it. Alex. As a high school athlete and a Christian, I earnestly wanted to find a place where I could play sports and interact with coaches who could instill Christian values into all facets of my college life. Carson-Newman’s strong alumni support and pride is deeply rooted in the school athletic and academic tradition. As a member of the Carson-Newman football team, I’ve seen firsthand the intense demand for excellence on the field. However, for Eagle athletes, this intense demand extends to the classroom as well. Thanks to Carson-Newman Student Success Program, student athletes have access to academic coaching, tutoring, and career advancement opportunities. Students who then take these resources, utilize them, and excel in the classroom, have the ability to become Eagle Scholars, a distinguished honor only given to elite student athletes. Through a variety of campus ministries, such as weekly chapel, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Chaplaincy programs, Students are exposed the transforming message of Christ every single day. With 21 NCAA teams, six national championships, and over a hundred conference titles, Carson-Newman university sets the bar extremely high for their student athletes. But if there’s one thing about Carson-Newman, that’s especially unique, it’s the banding together of faculty and coaches for the purpose of helping students step into their next steps in life. Becoming better mothers, better fathers, that are leaders, that are servants, all for the purpose of glorifying Christ. But that’s all for me. Who’s next, Alex?
– Wow. What a record both on and off the field for Carson-Newman student athletes. It’s obvious that students like Jesse are gaining valuable life lessons they will be able to take with them once they graduate and will be well-equipped to share their faith, wherever life leads them. Jesse, well done.
Okay. So it’s not every day. You find a student who basically grew up on campus, but for education major Emma, Carson-Newman is truly a family affair. Emma had lots of choices of where to go to college, but she shares that she made the right decision, choosing Carson-Newman. Emma, it’s all yours.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex, when I was looking at colleges, Carson-Newman always felt like home. I’m a third generation Carson-Newman student, and my younger sister is here as well. I grew up going to events like homecoming and football games with my family. As an education major, it’s really important to me to gain as much experience as possible before I set foot in my very own classroom. By the second semester of my freshman year, I was in three different classrooms, observing three different teachers at three different grade levels. Every single semester since then I’ve been in the classroom in some capacity, whether it be observing, actually getting the opportunity to teach a lesson or helping a student one-on-one. The professors in the Education Department truly invest in the lives of their students. I’ve been challenged in all of my classes to think about things through a Christian lens. As a student, the knowledge that my professors are constantly praying over me is both a blessing and a comfort. They genuinely teach by example by treating us the same way they expect us to treat our future students. My faculty advisor has been an incredible mentor to me from the moment I set foot on campus. I would consider her more of a best friend than a professor. And honestly, we make it a point to go to lunch pretty regularly. In addition to undergraduate degrees, Carson-Newman’s Education Program also offers Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Both of these programs are made for working people. Both programs are also well-regarded in the area and incredibly popular. As a matter of fact, Carson-Newman graduates have been named Tennessee teacher of the year for 2011, 2017, and 2019. I’m confident that Carson-Newman’s education program has prepared me for both the planned and the unplanned. My professors truly know what it takes to be a great educator, and it shows. Graduates of Carson-Newman’s Education Program are highly sought after and the vast majority of our teacher candidates have jobs by the time they graduate. That’s all for me. And back to you, Alex.
– Emma, what a great story. It’s obvious the Education Department is doing things right. Not only with Emma, but with the entire program. Three Tennessee teachers of the year in the last decade reflects the commitment to excellence for the Education Program. Congrats and thanks again, Emma.
Okay, everyone. First, we’re heading over to the Memorial Union on the Tempe Campus. Here we have Nikhil Dave waiting for us. Nikhil is a junior double majoring in neuroscience and innovation in society. Pretty cool. And he’s gonna talk to us about what kind of university the world needs right now. Nikhil you’re on.
Everybody, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I was born and raised here in Arizona by two incredible immigrant parents who endured a treacherous journey from India to the United States about 25 years ago. Education was always a big part of their upbringing, and so it’s become a big part of my own.
Now, as a student here at Arizona State, I’ve had the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of learning environments from working on cutting edge technology to being able to be a part of a young group of phenomenal men in my fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha. None of these opportunities would have ever been a possibility for me if it wasn’t for the amazing college experience that Arizona State University provides.
In the spring of 2020, I had the opportunity to take a class with the president of our university, President Michael Crow. And there were a lot of things that President Crow said, but there was one thing that stuck with me in particular. When describing the design of Arizona State, he explained that the primary purpose of a public university is to educate the public. While seemingly obvious, this sentence carried a lot of weight. What this means for us here at Arizona State is that we measure ourselves not based on the amount of people that we exclude, but rather all of the people we include and how they succeed. This focus on accessibility is something that’s unique to Arizona State University, not only as a university, but for its students.
In emphasizing inclusivity, our students have the opportunity to encounter diverse perspectives and different backgrounds, challenging their thinking and pushing them to grow. Beyond including students from all walks of life, ASU is also devoted to impacting society. Recently, I had the honor of serving as one of four team leads on two of ASU’s COVID-19 response efforts headed up by the Luminosity Lab, a student-driven skunkworks interdisciplinary research and development lab focused on developing technological solutions to problems in society. Our group developed the PPE Response Network, where we crowdsourced 3D printers from across Arizona to print and deliver over 14,000 units of PPE to medical clinics experiencing shortages. Beyond that, in just four months, we designed, developed, and scientifically validated two patent pending sterilization technologies for sterilizing N95 masks and other critical PPE.
Now, Luminosity is just one example of all the amazing opportunities that exist here at ASU. And all of these opportunities share one thing in common: They show that ASU is a university built for the future. Not only as ASU helped prepare me for my future and the future of the world around me, but it’s also equipped me with unique experiences and close memories that I will hold the rest of my life. So with all that being said, I’m so excited to show you what this place is all about. Welcome to ASU. Back to you, Alex.
Nikhil, great job. What you and Arizona State University are doing for the community here locally and throughout the state is incredible. You can feel that sense of inclusion here on Campus, and it’s awesome. Thanks Nikhil.
Okay, so let’s head downtown and head over to ASU’s law library at it’s Downtown Phoenix Campus. Here, we’re gonna meet up with Madeline. She’s a junior studying business law with a minor in criminal justice, and she has an awesome story touching on the subject of adaptability here at ASU. You’re gonna wanna watch this. Madeline, it’s all yours.
Hey everybody, my name is Madeline. And in order to tell you about adaptability, I need to tell you a really crazy personal story. My whole life I’ve dreamed of studying abroad, and last year I did exactly that. I lived on a ship and took classes at sea on the Semester at Sea program as an ASU student. Then came COVID-19. Within days of mainland China going into lockdown in January, 2020, the ship diverted its course. This was the beginning of several different itinerary changes as the ship tried to outrun the virus.
Thankfully, no one on board was sick, but there were times when we didn’t know when or where we’d be on land again. And my experience studying abroad during the pandemic taught me the importance of embracing every possibility. Even though there were only a few other ASU students on my study abroad program, ASU supported us. ASU has shown immense adaptability during the pandemic. I mean, what would you expect from the most innovative university in the country?
Since the COVID outbreak, ASU has been a pioneer in developing a saliva-based COVID test, which is easier to administer and less painful than traditional nasal swabs. The ASU Biodesign COVID Testing Laboratory has the capacity to test thousands of students a day and deliver results in just 24 hours. Anyone at ASU is eligible for unlimited free saliva-based COVID tests. As an ASU student, that makes me feel super safe. COVID-19 created a lot of challenges, but it also created a lot of opportunities. I went from seeing COVID take over the planet as I sailed from Asia to Africa, to now studying COVID testing laws for my thesis.
At ASU, we are all about learning to thrive, and this unique time has given us all extra opportunities to learn how to be creative, embrace every possibility, and adapt so that we’re always moving forward. And that’s adaptability at ASU. Back to you, Alex
Madeline, great job. What a story. It’s so impressive to see how you and the university pressed through a challenging time. That was great. By the way, you have a future in TV if you want one. Great job. Cheers, Madeline.
Next, we’re heading over to ASU Biodesign buildings here on campus to meet up with Lily Baye-Wallace. Lily is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in dance and has already started her Master’s in robotics and autonomous systems. Super, super impressive. Lily is gonna take a few minutes and talk to us about the quality of academics here at ASU. Lily, take it away.
Thanks, Alex. Arizona State was an easy choice for me. ASU accepted my AP scores as general electives and directly transferred my dual enrollment credit, which meant that I’ve been able to graduate with my bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in just three and a half years. Through Arizona. State’s 4+1 program, I was able to complete my master’s in robotics and autonomous systems just a year after.
I chose mechanical engineering because I wanted to solve real world problems, but I had no idea what industry I might work in or what my career might look like. In my sophomore year, I had the incredible opportunity to work with a board certified music therapist from Chicago to develop an electromechanical drum integrating autism therapy frameworks with pressure sensitive feedback in the form of lights, sounds, and vibrations to teach children on the autism spectrum the relationship between physical actions and emotional responses. This incredible experience was through the Engineering Projects and Community Service Program, or EPICS for short, here at Arizona State. My team and I were awarded for our work at the Society of Women Engineers International Conference in 2019.
ASU is one of the fastest growing research institutions in the country in all disciplines. I’m standing outside of the Biodesign Institute, which is home to groundbreaking human health, community safety, and global sustainability research. One of the benefits of attending a large university is not only are you learning from top tier professors, but there is a diversity in course options and time offerings. I’ve been able to take classes online and in person, allowing me to work part-time throughout my college experience and learn new things, like looking at the “Star Wars” universe through the lens of a film critic, or learning about death and dying across the world from anthropologists in the field, using music theory to dethrone the king of rock and roll, or learning not only how to dance salsa, but to teach it.
I have loved my time at Arizona State, but even more than that, I am confident in my ability not just to get a job, but to have a career in a fulfilling industry at a competitive employer thanks to the rigorous academics and variety of research and extracurriculars provided to me here at Arizona State University. So forks up future Sun Devils, and I’ll pass it back to you, Alex.
Lily, you are such an impressive student. What you’re doing in the world of engineering is fascinating, mind-blowing in fact. Keep up the great work and thank you for taking the time to speak about your academic journey here at ASU. That was awesome. Bye, Lily.
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.