We can’t wait for you to meet Gustavo. He’s a junior from Bedford, Massachusetts, majoring in general business. He’s gonna tell us about residential life, how he’s building his leadership skills while mentoring others, and how every student finds their place at Nichols. Let’s hear it, Gustavo.
– College Tour. Thanks for that introduction, Alex. And what’s up, College Tour? Thanks for having me. Since I was a little kid, I’ve always had the love for sports, whether I was playing or cheering on others. I also knew I wanted to pursue a career in business and Nichols College had the perfect opportunity to combine both of my passions. I played football at Nichols for three years, but I recently decided to hang out my cleats and get involved in other aspects of campus life. I’m a resident assistant or an RA in Shamie, our first year dorm. The transition from high school to college wasn’t all that easy for me, but there are great people here at Nichols who guided me, and over time I learned to love the hill. Now, I use my firsthand experiences to help out other students. I know how they feel and I can use my skills as a patient, empathetic, and yeah, I’ll say it, funny guy who creates learning moments and lasting memories like others did for me. I also connect with others through the Bison influencers, our social media crew. I’ve done everything from interviewing students at the basketball games, to taste testing ice cream at Bazzies, all of which is posted on social media. Like the College Tour, we show prospective students the real Nichols College from our perspective. I’m grateful to Nichols for teaching me how to lead, network, step out of my comfort zone, and have the confidence to make an impact across campus. These interactions are shaping my path into the business world as a caring and well-respected leader. Now, throwing it back to you, Alex.
– Gustavo, students like you make Nichols the amazing place it is. They say that everyone knows one another on the hill. And you personify that friendly, authentic, and ambitious vibe. Keep spreading the word about Nichols and there are no limits to how far you and the college will go. Take care.
Okay, everyone, let’s meet Gianna, a sophomore from Berlin, New Hampshire, majoring in general business with a minor in legal studies. She can’t wait to tell us about all the opportunities to get involved in campus life and how transferring to this incredibly active college was a great decision for her. Gianna, please take it from here.
– Thanks, Alex. Hello, everyone. Transferring to Nichols from a community college was a pivotal moment for me. The friendly and supportive environment here made acclimating to campus life seamless. Almost immediately, I realized that I wasn’t just going to learn about business. I would be exercising my leadership skills and conducting real business. Engaging in extracurricular activities such as marketing, the Institute for Women’s Leadership and Equestrian Sports has enriched my Nichols experience, teaching me the importance of balance and self-discovery. As president of the marketing club, I’m honing my strategic planning skills, learning how to and lead others, and gaining extensive knowledge on marketing theory, practice, and trends. The comradery and teamwork within the club have fostered lasting friendships and a strong sense of community. As treasurer of the Equestrian Team, I combined my level of horseback riding with managing the club’s finances. The team’s spirit and dedication taught me that the value of discipline, perseverance, and teamwork, qualities that transcend the equestrian arena. Additionally, my involvement in the Institute for Women’s Leadership empowers me to advocate for women involvement on campus. Through workshops, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, I’m gaining invaluable insights in forging connections with inspiring female leaders. Nichols has shown me that a college education goes beyond acquiring job skills. It’s about taking risks, stepping outside of comfort zones, and inspiring your peers to do the same. Looking ahead, I’m excited to leverage these skills, experiences, and strong sense of purpose in my post Nichols journey. I aspire to have a career where I can contribute to positive change and inspire others to reach their full potential. As a first generation student, I hope to show others that higher education is within their reach. Now back to you, Alex.
– Gianna, kudos for your contributions on and off campus while caring for your two and four-legged friends, and thank you for inspiring those first generation students who will follow in your footsteps. I know several students in this episode, our first gens, and wow, we admire your trailblazing ways. Take care.
It’s time to meet Shawanna. She’s a sophomore from Columbus, Ohio and a criminal justice major, a member of Nichols Cheer Team and a Bison social media influencer. Shawanna is gonna talk about school spirit and how she’s using her voice to promote the college to students from near and far. Shawanna, the camera’s yours.
– Thanks, Alex. I was in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, playing lacrosse when my twin sister, met the Nichols cheer coach at a cheerleading competition. Nichols offered her spot on the team, so my mom decided to take the opportunity to tell them about me. At the time, I had never been to Massachusetts, but within a week we were both applying and committing to the cheer team. Choosing Nichols was a little unexpected, but I definitely think it was meant to happen and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was shocked by how quickly I was able to bond with my team. Coming to Nichols as an out-of-state athlete was definitely scary, but becoming a part of the friendly and supportive community here was exactly what I needed. We eat together, practice together, and spend nearly every minute with each other. Cheerleading is a huge part of my college experience and I’m so glad that I get to thrive in my classes as a criminal justice major while still competing in the sport that I love. The team cheers for football and basketball games and goes to nationals in Florida each spring. This is definitely the most memorable part for me, traveling with my best friends and competing against top programs. From the classroom to the gym, I’ve learned how to juggle my books, sports, and social life. Plus, being a leader on a new and growing varsity program has helped me unlock my true potential. My advice to out-of-state athletes is to take the risk because you never know what will come out of it. In eighth grade, I thought my charities were over, but here I am years later, states away, being a student athlete and learning something new every step of the way. Back to you, Alex.
– Awesome job, Shawanna. You are a great ambassador for Nichols, enrolled in a high demand academic program and will no doubt encourage more high school students to follow their hearts to the college that’s right for them. Cheers to you and go, Bison.
Okay, everyone. We’re heading over to meet Nasir, a sophomore sports management major from New London, Connecticut. Nasir is gonna show us the Golf Course and the Bison Den Clubhouse, two extraordinary on campus student-run learning labs. You do not want to miss this one. Over to you, Nasir.
– Thanks, Alex. Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for sports in all aspects as a player or simply being a part of our organization, so it made perfect sense when I enrolled into the Nichols College Sport Manager Program, which is ranked among the top 20 programs in the nation. Nichols has provided me with hands-on opportunities that not many students can experience as a golf course on campus that’s entirely student-run and I’m a part of the team that manages it. We prepare budgets, order merchandise for the pro shop, and work closely with the Grounds Group. We also work with the students that run the Bison Den, which is the Clubhouse Pub. At Nichols, I’m making great connections and taking advantage for opportunities that will help me succeed. I recently participated in the Super Bowl Practicum, an amazing course where we studied the impact of the big game and spent a week in the host city. This year I volunteered at the NFL experience, networked with other college students, and visited the Las Vegas Golden Knights practice facility with the Nichols alumnus. On Super Bowl Sunday, my classmates and I worked inside Allegiant Stadium, assisting fans and improving the game day experience. Nichols prepares students, fosters alumni connections, provides internships, and creates a place we can call home. The small campus environment means I have a good social life on the hill with students who share similar interests. Everyone at Nichols has my best interests at heart. It encourages me to follow my passions. As an African American male, my goal is to open doors for others while pursuing a career as an MBA executive. I want to foster change and make an impact. Nichols College is prepared me to do all of that and more. That’s my story, Alex. Back to you
– Nasir, your real world experience is incredible. I mean, how many campuses have a golf course and one that’s run by students? And thanks for your efforts to increase minority leadership in professional sports. We have no doubt that you’ll be sitting in a corner office very soon. Thanks, Nasir.
All right, let’s hear from Michelle, a first year student from Miami, Florida, majoring in business analytics with a minor in communications. Michelle is going to tell us how Nichols provides opportunities for students to lead from the moment they arrive on campus and how quickly the college became her home away from home. Michelle, take it away.
– Thanks, Alex. Hey, everyone. Coming to Nichols College all the way from Miami was a big change, but let me tell you why I immediately felt at home. Our campus is a perfect place to explore, grow, and excel. Nichols is small enough that I know my peers and professors by name, but large enough to explore opportunities to keep me busy and engaged. Within weeks of arriving at Nichols, I was elected treasurer of the Class of 2027 Student Government Association. Even as a freshman, I’m able to manage the class budget and collaborate with other members of the SJ board to support students. As an admission ambassador, I help recruit new students to campus, which I love because I really enjoy meeting people. I tell them why choosing Nichols is a great decision and share stories about my experience. A kid from Miami who had to buy a winter jacket the first time it snowed. I’m also a member of the Institute for Women’s Leadership and a Bison influencer who creates content for social media. My work as an influencer has allowed me to make meaningful connections around campus. As a first year student, I definitely wanna put myself out there and take advantage of all the opportunities here on campus. I look up to other student leaders who generously serve as mentors and aspire to have my journey reflect theirs. I’m Nichols. You don’t have to wait until you’re an upper class student to lead. There are opportunities from day one. These roles on campus have taught me how to manage my time properly, strengthened my leadership skills, and made me more creative and outgoing. Building these skills will allow me to thrive after graduation in whatever career I choose. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Michelle. It’s easy to see how you are already making your mark around campus. Keep leading, keep laughing, and keep those amazing Nichols stories on social media. We can’t wait to see where your career takes you. Thanks again for sharing your story.
Let’s meet Mary, a senior from Berlin, New Hampshire, and a digital and social media marketing major who’s concurrently pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership. Among her many activities, Mary is part of a unique business consulting team that advises real clients and makes real money. Mary, tell us all about it.
– I’ll take it from here, Alex. Growing up in a small town, I always knew that I wanted to expand my horizons. Some proud alumni introduced me to Nichols College and I immediately knew it was the small business school for me. Although I was confident with my choice, I struggled with homesickness my freshman year. My dad picked me up every single weekend. It was the peak of COVID and a lot of us were feeling unsettled. My sophomore year, I truly understood what it meant to be involved and now my parents can’t get me to go home enough. Nichols encourages students to pursue their passions and even allows them to start their own clubs. My roommate started the Bison Pantry in the Nichols College Equestrian Team. The Bison Pantry is our on-campus resource to help fight food insecurity. I participated by running the program social media. I also now serve as the Nichols College Equestrian team president, which means I’m pretty busy, but I still manage to find time to run track, and I even studied abroad in Costa Rica. I also joined our student-led consulting group, Bison Consulting, which is an incredible experiential learning opportunity where we work with real clients to help them solve our business needs. Our first client was a local car wash company. We pitched an offer to run their social media, ran it for seven months and helped position them favorably in the marketplace. At Nichols, we take information, learn in the classroom, and apply it to the real world. I’ve truly stepped outside my comfort zone and reached my full potential here. After graduation, I’ll have a full-time job as a marketing manager at an IT company and I can’t wait to see where this opportunity takes me. Tossing it back to you, Alex.
– Mary, that’s what we call making the most of your undergraduate years to work closely with faculty mentors and build this kind of resume is so impressive. It’s no wonder that you already have a great job lined up after graduation. Thanks for inspiring the next generation of Nichols leaders. Take care.
Let’s hear from Kaushar, a senior majoring in political science with a minor in public policy. Kaushar brings perspective on how UMass Boston helps students cultivate leadership skills beyond the classroom. Kaushar, tell us about your experiences interning in state government and contributing to the student newspaper, please take it away.
– Thanks, Alex, being an international student, I didn’t have the luxury and privilege to tour campuses in person, so all the reasons that I love UMass Boston became apparent to me when I stepped foot on campus. However, I was certain about one thing, and that is UMass Boston’s location right in the city of Boston. I knew for sure that being in a vibrant, dynamic and revered college town of the country, I was going to have the best college experience studying abroad. UMass Boston has so much to offer beyond classrooms. There are multiple opportunities and resources for students. Personally, I’ve had the privilege of working at a lot of nonprofits, including Congressional Office of . As a political science major, my coursework includes public policy, public administration, international relations, and a lot of domestic politics, and my professors that I take classes with have rich background in their areas of expertise, but more than that, they have been my biggest supporters of the extracurriculars that I do outside of classrooms, including student government and student newspaper. UMass Boston has a vibrant student life and diverse extracurricular options from academic clubs to cultural and religious groups to provide a sense of belonging and community on campus. I have gained invaluable experiences through these organizations and clubs. As part of student government, my role is to bridge the gap between the students and the administrations, to raise student concerns and to facilitate projects that can bring about tangible change on campus. No matter your field of study, UMass Boston has something for you, from student government to model UNs, to top-notch research labs. There’s something for every interest and that is what makes UMass Boston truly special, is the commitment to the holistic student success is their testament to the dedication towards their students, and with a comprehensive college experience like that, you’re promised to succeed in the world as a leader. Back to you, Alex.
– Great job, Kaushar. The allure of UMass Boston’s location in the heart of a dynamic college town is undeniable. Kaushar’s experiences at UMass Boston speak volumes. From internship opportunities with esteemed organizations to enriching coursework in political science. The journey has been transformative, thanks, Kaushar.
Meet Manny, a junior from Broward County, Florida, majoring in sport leadership, administration and a minor in sociology. Manny hopes to coach the future NBA players to championships by applying his classroom knowledge to the court. Manny, take it away.
– Thanks, Alex, what’s good, everyone. Truthfully, I didn’t know if I was going to attend college or not, but playing basketball gave me the opportunity to do so and now I’m getting my degree in sport leadership administration where I can go on and pursue my dream of being a college men’s basketball coach. In the world of sport leadership administration, I’ve discovered a perfect blend of academics and social engagement as many of my classmates are also athletes. It’s really rewarding to apply classroom theories to real life situations onto the court. The curriculum covers a wide spectrum, reflecting the diverse landscape of the sports industry, whether it’s managing teams or understanding leadership psychology. The program equips me with the tools to navigate every aspect of this dynamic field, and there’s nothing quite like the energy of heading to the games or even warming up and seeing my own fellow students come out to support us. Off the court, UMass Boston campus pulses with life and is always growing. I enjoy the popup events in the campus center or even the food trucks on the lawn. There’s also a lot of job opportunities and seminars. Obviously, my favorite are the sporting events and their popularity has grown since I’ve been a freshman, which as an athlete is really exciting. As I reflect on my college journey, it’s incredible to see how much I’ve grown. I’d never imagined the depth of knowledge and skills I would have acquired. As a student athlete, I’ve honed my basketball IQ and cultivated a deeper understanding of what it means to lead on and off the court. UMass Boston has provided me with a platform to chase my athletic goals, excel academically, and find joy in the journey. All right, Alex, I gotta get back to it. Tossing it back to you.
– Manny, your journey embodies the perfect fusion of sports and education inspiring us all from uncertainty to realizing your dream of coaching, you’ve shown that with determination anything is possible. Thanks, Manny.
Let’s hear from Ashanti, a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and sustainability with minors in philosophy and clean energy, hailing from Hartford, Connecticut, Ashanti brings a unique perspective to research that could improve our environment with the kind of dedication that sets UMass Boston apart. Tell us more, Ashanti.
– Thanks Alex, hi, everyone. Finding the right university boiled down to three pillars, location, size, and program. UMass Boston fit all three criteria. It’s right in the goldilock zone of being neither too big nor too small. The location is perfect. After a fun night out downtown, you can snuggle right back into your quiet home by the water and the school for the environment offered everything I was looking for. UMass Boston is the most diverse college campus in New England with more than 60% of students identifying as BIPOC. As an environmental studies student, I value this diversity. You have to hear a wide range of cultural perspectives to tackle climate equity. This is especially prevalent in my environmental justice course where we take part in hands-on discussion-based learning to gain insight on all the significant aspects that make up communities. Our living labs allow us to take our learning outside the classroom and into the real world. One of my fondest memories is taking our campus boat onto the harbor to learn about organisms that lie on the sea floor. They look pretty freaky. UMass Boston’s environmental studies and sustainability programs are known for integrating science research with policy and management approaches. Students learn about the intersectionality that lies hidden on the path to a sustainable future. As Beacons, we shine light on inequity to pave the path to a better future. I’m excited to see what the next two years have in store for me with different opportunities like my membership on UMass Boston Sustainability Committee, I’m ready to bring fresh ideas to the table with full force, bon voyage, Alex.
– Ashanti, thank you for highlighting the innovative spirit of UMass Boston. Your work toward tackling climate change is inspiring and being able to learn hands on aboard the university’s research boat. What an opportunity. We appreciate your commitment to shaping a sustainable future, thank you.
It’s time to meet Sam, a sophomore from Medford, Massachusetts, majoring in theater arts at UMass Boston. Sam has set our sights on Broadway, participating on and off stage, and exploring the vibrant Boston theater scene. Take it away, Sam.
– Thanks for that intro, Alex. When it came to choosing a college, I needed a place that had both a personal and welcoming environment as well as hands-on experience. My search started with my mother, a UMass Boston graduate. She loved going to school here, so I looked into the theater arts department and saw that UMass Boston could provide all of that and more. From a young age, I knew I was meant to be a performer. From almost a decade of dance classes then acting in middle school. I spent a majority of my afterschool life with a script in my hand or slipping on tap shoes. At UMass Boston, I was immediately exposed to all of the intricate and involved elements that the school offered. We’ve learned stage craft where we construct a set for the main stage performance, costume construction, where students assist in creating costumes for the production and of course acting. In these classes, I’m learning my strengths and developing techniques to become the best actor I can be. From learning how to build sets to fixing lighting, to being immersed in acting and so much more, the professors at UMass Boston have provided me with such an involved atmosphere. I’ve been able to learn many new skills and it’s helped me grow my confidence. At the end of a show, stepping into the light for curtain call, I take in the work that I and many others have put in into creating a production. Through my exposure to all of the elements of theater, I can see myself going to Broadway to continue my work as an actor. The lively essence of what theater is draws me in each time, and I look forward to more projects both here and beyond. Well, that’s curtain, back to you, Alex.
– Wow, Sam, your story is one of passion and purpose. You found your home in the theater arts program where you’re honing your skills in acting, set design and lighting, thanks to the guidance of dedicated professors. You sure are prepared for a future in the spotlight, thanks again.