Let’s hear from Jessica, a dedicated student on a mission to make a difference in the medical field. Inspired by her father’s experience, she chose to pursue respiratory therapy at CT State Manchester, due to its national recognition and partnership with Hartford Hospital. Jessica’s journey exemplifies resilience and passion. Tell us more, Jessica.
– Thanks for that introduction, Alex. Before I began my educational journey, I always knew I wanted to be within the medical field helping others. It wasn’t until my father got sick that I realized what a respiratory therapist was and actually did. I remember when he got sick and they were helping him and taking care of him they were managing these life-saving machines called chemical ventilators. I knew then what I wanted to do with my career. I decided to pursue my degree in respiratory therapy at Manchester because of their national recognition and their amazing partnership with Hartford Hospital and the Center for Education, Simulation, and Innovation, also known as CESI. Having such an amazing partnership with CESI allows us to get hands-on experience through simulations using state-of-the-art labs. This allows our clinical instructors to make detailed real life scenarios that help us learn. Some of my favorite days are spent at CESI. What I really love about Manchester’s respiratory program is the accessibility we have to the directors of the program. Their depth of knowledge, willingness to go the extra mile and dedication to our success is like no other. I wouldn’t be where I am in the program today without them. I am a working mother. I’m showing my son that you can be whatever you wanna be no matter what age. I couldn’t have pursued any of this though if it wasn’t for a school like CT State, with its smaller class sizes, flexibility, lower tuition rates, and transferable credits when I graduate and further my education. Well, that’s all from me, Alex, take it back.
– Jessica, thank you for sharing your inspiring path into the medical field. Your dedication to becoming a respiratory therapist shaped by your father’s experience, showcases your passion for helping others. Your commitment to education and balancing motherhood exemplifies resilience. We wish you ongoing success, thanks again.
Say hello to Dakota from Torrington, Connecticut. Dakota attends CT State Northwestern. From affordability, to working hard in classes and being inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, a national honors society, Dakota has found success both inside and outside of the classroom. Dakota has a very compelling story to share. Dakota, take it away.
– Thanks for having me, Alex, it’s great to be here. After I graduated high school, I really had no idea what I wanted to do. Luckily, I discovered CT State, an affordable school with great programs that I could explore. When I enrolled at Northwestern in 2019, I started taking courses to figure out what I wanted to do and discovered my true potential. I was a below average student in high school, so seeing my grades continuously hit As really made an impact on my desire to further my education. Not only was I achieving this new level of success in my studies, but I also found my social life beginning to bloom. I started participating more in community activities put on by my school, like the gingerbread house contest and the Halloween costume contest. I was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society or PTK, in 2022, and attended my first international convention in 2023. I attended workshops to learn new skills, created new friendships with members from across the world, and from there started pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I am currently the proud vice president of service for PTK’s New England region. I found new friends in my officer team and we work together to encourage participation in our region. Membership provides me access to thousands of scholarships that will help me transfer to a four year college when I graduate. I never thought I’d come this far when I first enrolled in CT state. I fell in love with this community and have been finding much success in it ever since. Thanks for listening to my story, Alex, I’m flipping it back to you.
– Thank you, Dakota. We’re so impressed with the work that you are doing with Phi Theta Kappa. Great job and thank you for taking part in the college tour.
It’s time to meet Maritza, who transferred into CT state’s chemistry program on the Gateway campus. Maritza, was able to work as a part-time pharmacy technician while attending classes. Stepping out of her comfort zone, she secured a three month internship at Paul Sabatier University in France, immersing herself in European French culture. Maritza, we cannot wait to hear your story, take it away.
– Thanks for the introduction, Alex. As a first generation low income student, I wanted to attend an institution that offered education at an affordable price, which is why I decided to attend CT State Gateway, which accepted me with open arms. As a transfer student majoring in chemistry, I can take courses that accommodate my schedule, whether in person, online, or completely asynchronous. This gives me time to participate in all sorts of activities such as founding and serving as the president of the Gateway Math Club and working part-time as a pharmacy technician. Not to mention extracurricular activities where I conduct research on microbial fuel cells at a MakerSpace bio lab. When I have doubts or need guidance, I know I am in good hands with outstanding professors and experienced advisors. Thanks to these connections, I participated in the Yale Summer Enrichment Research Experience Program where I worked with induced pluripotent stem cells. This past summer I intern at Paul Sabatier University, in Toulouse, France for three months where I synthesized molecules for carbon nanotube development and experienced the rich culture of France. As a low income student, I am grateful for the affordability of my education as well as the financial resources Gateway has to offer, such as which offers FAFSA guidance and scholarships. They taught me that I can buy textbooks by using my financial aid instead of just buying them out of pocket, which has helped me a lot. I believe that Gateway greatly influenced my educational path and decisions, and none of this would’ve impossible without the help of my professors, advisors, and peers. I’m very proud to call Gateway my home. Back to you, Alex.
– Merci, Maritza. It is amazing to learn that your passion for chemistry has led you to international opportunities. Through the connections you have made at CT State, you have certainly made the most out of your time here. Great story, and thank you.
Earlier this week I was able to meet up with someone who has worked at CT State for over 17 years. Dean Timothy St. James is the dean of faculty and students. In his role, he assists in providing students with key resources that take the pressure off of things like transportation, and wellness, which allows students to focus more on their education. Let’s take a look. Tim, thank you so much for having us on campus. This has been a lot of fun. So one of the words we keep hearing over and over is wraparound services. Can you describe what that is?
– Sure, yeah, in simple terms, wraparound services are those supports that we put in place to try to make sure students are gonna succeed while they’re here. So you think about things like cost, transportation, childcare, mental health, you know, food insecurity. But we wanna be able to address those and take the the doubts and the “I can’t” out of students’ vocabulary. We consider ourselves to be barrier busters.
– I love that term.
– Yeah. So if it’s a barrier that’s going to, you know, keep you from succeeding, we want to be able to address that.
– Yeah, how great is that? So of all those barriers, I mean, cost has to be one of the biggest ones, right?
– Yeah, of course, who’s not concerned about cost, but let me throw this at you. How does free college sound?
– Yeah, I mean that doesn’t seem real at all.
– Well, it is, and the way it is is we have a free college program and as long as you’re a Connecticut resident, you’ve graduated from high school and you are registered at least part-time, six credits, you can qualify. Whatever’s remaining after applying for financial aid, whatever that gap is, it will be covered by our free college program.
– Well, that seems like the best deal in higher education.
– Yeah, yeah, well, you know what? It is.
– Yeah.
– Right, so another good thing is we do everything in one spot. Right here, if you’re ever, you know, wondering where do I have to go to apply for financial aid, or where do I have to go to fill out an application, we do it all right here in our OneStop enrollment services hallway.
– Make it super simple for the students, right?
– Absolutely. And I wanna also show you another place, so follow me. We’re gonna talk about childcare.
– Okay.
– Hey Alex, now here we are in our early childhood center. It’s actually a lab school and what that means is not only can our students come here to bring their kids, but it’s also a place where our students that are in our early childhood program can get real world practical experience.
– Yeah, I mean it’s like a win-win for everyone. Childcare can get expensive.
– And this is very affordable. I got another place I gotta show you.
– Okay.
– So come on with me.
– All right, let’s do it. Facilities here are amazing.
– They are amazing, but again, at CT State it’s all about the students, so that’s why those wraparound services are there. Whether you need, you know, free tutoring or whether you need help with our disability and accessibility services, they’re here to help you succeed.
– Well, on behalf of the college tour, I mean the whole state of Connecticut, the country, it’s incredible what you’re doing.
– Yeah.
– And thanks for spending some time.
– Thanks for being here. This has been great having you.
– Yeah. It is amazing to hear about what CT State Community College offers students to allow them to thrive not only in the classroom but in the community. We can’t believe all the opportunities that CT State has for their students. Thanks for spending time with us on the college tour, Dean St. James. That was incredible.
Meet Brianna, who attends CT State Northwestern. Brianna is enrolled in the interpreter training program and finds the resources on campus, so very helpful as she utilizes disability and accessibility services and tutoring. Let’s learn more from Brianna, and her interpreter, professor Aiswarya Vincent, take it away.
– Hello, Alex. Thank you for visiting our Northwestern campus. I’m a deaf native who grew up in Connecticut. In high school, I finished up my digital media production degree, and currently I’m working at the American School for the Deaf as a teacher’s assistant. My twin sister, Alanna, who’s a graduate of Northwestern, inspired me to join the interpreter training program. What an adventure. I’m thrilled to have easy access and great accommodations that make my school year a breeze. My interpreter training program professors and peers are all native, deaf, or skilled signers, making my communication needs accessible. Navigating through our campus is a piece of cake, and the small student to professor ratios mean there’s more personalized interactions and easy access to tutoring. The friendly atmosphere here makes me feel safe and comfortable. I love treating myself to a Dairy Queen after my classes. It’s the perfect way to end my day. My campus here has hosted some amazing events like the welcome fair, Halloween party, and faculty versus student softball game. Additionally, my ASL club has organized a fun holiday party and participated in various conferences and deaf expos to promote our fantastic interpreter training program, deaf studies certificate program, and American Sign Language Club. Going back to college has been an inspiring journey. I’ve learned that age really doesn’t matter. If you have it in your heart, just do it. Attending Northwestern has been uplifting and interactions with my peers have certainly boosted my confidence. I’m looking forward to graduating in the spring of 2025. My goal is to become a community-level interpreter here in Connecticut. What a fun and rewarding experience. Okay, Alex, now it’s back to you. Go and explore more CT State campuses and have a blast.
– Thank you, Brianna, and Professor Vincent. Brianna, it seems like you’ve had the best time making friends at all those amazing club events. Keep at it and take care.
Let’s meet Alexander, a robotics and mechatronics technician student from Suffield, Connecticut. At CT State Asnuntuck, Alexander has worked on amazing equipment in the manufacturing area, which has taught him how to repair CNC machines and program robots. Alexander, we cannot wait to hear more, please take it away.
– Thank you, Alex. Hello, everyone. Growing up, I always had a love for science. I competed in science fairs and went to an engineering magnet school. So when I heard of the robotics and mechatronics program here at CT State, it was a no-brainer that this was the place for me. When I enrolled in the program, as exciting as it was, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy robotics. Despite my apprehensions, it took me less than a week to fall in love with the program. Not only were the classes captivating and interesting, but the professors were amazing. They would come up with fun labs to engage you with the topics instead of just reading them in a book. Being able to take what I learned in the classroom and immediately apply it to something tangible was critical for my success. My professors were always willing to take time after class to help further by understanding on any topic, whether it’s programming a robot or repairing a CNC machine, there’s no better way to learn all about robotics and mechatronics. The hands-on learning you get in this program is amazing bar none. In an environment that encourages curiosity and success, there’s no better way to learn. The plethora of resources make it easy to see why students can succeed in such a rigorous program like this. Attending Asnuntuck has helped me in ways I couldn’t even imagine a year ago. I’m currently working my dream job building entire robotic automation systems from the ground up. Not only that, but I’m looking forward to transferring through a four year university to finish my bachelor’s degree. Enough about me, time to send it back to Alex.
– Thank you, Alexander. Your future is bright and we can’t wait to hear more about the four year college you transferred to. You’re gonna do amazing things. Thanks again for sharing your story.
Let’s meet Kya, a social work student at CT State Housatonic, who found her calling during the pandemic, helping youth in her community. She’s now pursuing case management and runs a small business, which the Werth Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has helped make a success. Kya, tell us more about your inspiring journey. Take it away.
– Hey, Alex, thanks for the intro. I found my calling during the pandemic when I saw the youth in my community struggling from a lack of family and home support. That prompted me to enroll in CT State for social work studies. Housatonic has given me a lot of learning opportunities to discover my path. I decided to go into case management after taking a human services skills and methods class. I am also involved in the Human Services Club where we do work in the community such as coat drives and school supply drives. Housatonic also hosted a wellness festival last semester where they had activities that promote overall wellness and local organizations and resources giving information about their services. I was also introduced to the Werth Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. One of my passions is the culinary arts and I owned a small business, The Golden Baker, before I started attending Housatonic. After joining the Werth Center, I was able to register my business as an LLC and learn about numerous opportunities. Through the Werth Center, I have been mentored on social media, taxes, branding, and networking. I’ve been in pitch and grant fests where I’ve received over $1,500 in funding. I’ve participated in pop-up shops where I sold my goods at school, and from the exposure I’ve been contracted by pubs and staff for their events. CT State Housatonic has given me new opportunities for my career and for my business. I’m thankful that I can pursue my passion for my business while learning about how I can use social work to improve my community. Thanks for listening to my story, back to you, Alex.
– Kya, thank you for sharing your remarkable story of discovering your passion for social work and entrepreneurship. Your dedication to supporting your community and pursuing your dreams through CT State Housatonic is truly commendable. We look forward to seeing all the great things you will achieve in the future. Thanks again.
Let’s all welcome Dani, who attends classes at CT State Gateway. CT State serves many first generation college students. Dani is one such student who has taken advantage of services such as CTrides, a free bus system. and Career Services, which landed him an exciting internship at Yale Business Facilities. Dani please share your story with us, take it away.
– Thank you, Alex. When I was seven, I moved to the US, and I am a proud first generation college student. When I graduated high school, I had no idea what steps I needed to take in order to complete college, and I wasn’t too sure which career I should pursue. After taking a year off and working, I decided that I wanted a career in business. I enrolled at CT State Gateway to ensure that if I was invested in my education, I would do it in a place I knew I could be successful. Attending Gateway gave me the opportunity to explore my career path without having to worry about high tuition. Thanks to the partnership that CT State has with CTrides, I’m able to get to school by taking a bus and a train for free. My experience here at Gateway has been nothing but positive. For example, the career service department here has had a major impact on my life. The Director of Career Services has helped me rework my resume, which has led me to an amazing internship at Yale’s Business facilities. During my time at this internship, I’ve gotten experience on how an office environment works. From writing professional emails, and working with specialty software. Projects that I’ve worked on have helped me learn from others, and the feedback that I have received has helped me develop skills and knowledge that I will use in my career. I can proudly say that attending Gateway was the right decision because it has changed my life for the better. I’m confident in knowing that the staff and resources that are available to me will help me succeed in my journey. That’s all for now, back to you, Alex.
– Incredible. Dani, thank you for sharing your amazing journey. Having an internship opportunities before graduating from your program provides you with hands-on experience at a company that might lead to a full-time job. That is amazing, congratulations, Dani, and thanks again for sharing your story.
Let’s jump over to CT State, Asnuntuck, to meet Katelynn. From the financial aid office to the theater stage, Katelynn has found support not only in the classroom but through extracurricular programming as well. She has immersed herself in the CT State community and has found success in all that she sets out to accomplish. Take it away, Katelynn.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey everyone, welcome. As a senior in high school, I knew I wasn’t ready to leave home yet. CT State had everything I was looking for and was close to home. From affordability, to amazing opportunities, I knew CT State is where I wanted my journey to a higher level of education to begin. I’ve loved being a part of Asnuntuck. Here, we have a great community and with local restaurants and shops being just minutes away, you’ll never get bored, not to mention the great resources that are available on campus. The professors here are always willing to meet with you whenever you need. They’re committed to making sure you get the help you need. Speaking of help, another great resource is our tutoring center. The tutoring center offers great help for any of your classes and with easy on-campus access, you can make sure you’re always successful in your classes. The affordability at CT State has been a big blessing for me. The Financial Aid Office provided me with scholarship opportunities. I found this resource very helpful when applying for financial aid. I knew that if I ever had any questions, they were there and happy to help. I would’ve never thought that I would’ve been able to step into the incredible world of opportunities that I have. This school is designed to help you begin your journey to a higher level of education. Whether you plan on transferring to a university or going right into the workforce, it is committed to helping you prepare yourself in the best way possible, and it did just that for me. Thanks for listening to my story, and now back to you, Alex.
– That’s a wrap, Katelynn, thank you. Having a good start to your academic journey is so important and a supportive faculty and staff is key for many students. Thank you for sharing your story, Katelynn. That was awesome.
Let’s meet Eastern alum Chris, class of 2015. Chris used his hands-on learning experience at Eastern as a springboard into his career with a global media and entertainment company. Today he’s gonna share how Eastern prepared him for a successful career in the world of television media. Let’s hear from your, Chris. Take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. I chose Eastern Connecticut State University because of its close-knit community feel and the liberal arts foundation at its core. My freshman year, I tried to participate in as many clubs and committees as I could to help me expand my network. ETV News, sports, WECS Radio Club, Campus Activity Board, and even an on-campus job as a multimedia producer in our athletic department. Each of these groups not only introduced me to some of my lifelong friends but presented me opportunities to do things like attend the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas and the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. It was exposure to these real-world career networking opportunities in conjunction with hands-on classroom experience that taught me to never stop learning. My senior year, I applied for an internship at NBCU and was hired as a production assistant after graduation, shooting, writing, and editing our local news. Over the past 10 years, I’ve worked in various promotional marketing and sales roles across our NBCUniversal, Peacock, and Telemundo properties. And today my duties revolve around managing and developing new relationships with clients and agencies locally here in Connecticut, throughout New England, and across the country, I’ve had the privilege of selling global events, such as the Super Bowl, the Olympic Games, and the World Cup. As for what’s ahead, aside from my wife and I expecting our first baby early next year, I’d like to continue to evolve my career at NBCU. This company is taking care of me, this business excites me, and I feel like that’s unique these days. But none of that would’ve been possible without the resources and opportunities I had available at Eastern. They reward hard work, loyalty, and that urge to never stop learning. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Chris, it’s amazing to hear how your hands-on experiences at Eastern helped you build a thriving career. With those campus experiences and with the guidance of your professors, you were more than ready for your growing career. Good luck in the future, and congratulations on the new baby. That is awesome. Thanks again, Chris.