We’re now kicking it over to Oliver, who traveled all the way from Copenhagen to play soccer for UP. The Pilots 16 NCAA Division One Sports Programs in the West Coast Conference, turn out a steady stream of pro athletes and Olympians, but these talented athletes are students first and UP offers an array of resources to help them make the most of their education. Take it away, Oliver.
– Thanks Alex. It’s always been my dream to play soccer at the highest level as possible, so when I got the opportunity to play for University of Portland, one of the best soccer programs in the whole country, I felt I was one step closer to achieve that goal. At first it was a bit tough being so far away from home, but the people here are so nice and it didn’t take long for up to feel like another home. Since it’s a smaller school, it’s really easy to make friends. Plus, there’s always something fun to do, like dominating the ping pong table in my dorm or hitting the food carts nearby and shout out to Outdoor Pursuits, for always putting on some great hiking trips. You just sign up and go for it. Being a student athlete means that I spend a lot of time on the field, but UP has a lot of good resources to help you get the most out of your classes. And seeing friends and other UP athletes in the stands going crazy, cheering for you is just an incredible feeling, it’s like we have one big family. When I’m out there playing, hearing the billet drum squad and knowing those are my dorm mates making all that noise, it’s just so cool to have all that support. What I do after my graduation is still a big question, but since coming to UP, I matured a lot and expanded my view on the world. I learned so much from my classes and met friends from all over the globe. I’m not scared of trying new stuff anymore and see what comes out of it. And every morning I wake up knowing there’s something to achieve and something to look forward to. Well, that’s all for me. Kicking the ball back to you, Alex.
– Wow Oliver, clearly Pilots excel in the classroom and on the field. Nearly half of UP’s athletes make the Dean’s List while consistently leading their teams to postseason tournaments. Named after River boat pilots who used their expertise and courage to navigate through the treacherous Columbia River, UP Pilots are an impressive bunch. Thanks again.
Let’s jump into campus life with Allana, a first year Pilot who immediately discovered that small class sizes plus a huge array of clubs and activities equals a sense of community. With 10 residence halls, housing nearly 2,500 students on campus, you’ll always see a familiar face walking the quad or studying in the library. Allana, let’s hear it.
– Thanks Alex. Since I was little, I loved performing and socializing, so I wanted a college where I could form close connections and explore all aspects of my creativity. The University of Portland was the perfect place for me. I’m in my first year on the Bluff and it’s been so easy to connect to the UP community. The first week of school I attended the activities fair and discovered more than 100 clubs to participate in. I joined SLUG, the Student Led Unity Garden where we grow produce for the community and I became an event coordinator for the Black Student Union. This is my favorite club because it’s where I feel most understood and can be around people that have similar experiences. I also joined student government as a class senator. You can get as involved as you want when you come here, there’s a place for everyone. Being in the honors program really helped me feel at home too. As a member, I’m a part of a tight knit group of students of all majors who take core classes together, collaborate on research projects, and get advice and support from faculty mentors. In fact, faculty support is one of UP’s biggest strengths. All classes are taught by faculty, not grad students, and with a nine to one student faculty ratio, the professors really get to know who you are and are always ready to help. Whether it’s understanding the material or mapping out your post grad plans, UP offers so many ways to try new things and meet new people, and the community I’ve found has been incredibly welcoming. I can’t wait to see how my next three years unfold. No matter what you wanna do, it’s all here for you at UP. I’m so proud to be a Pilot, take it away, Alex.
– You’re right, Allana, it is all here for you. And if you love being near the water, you can walk to UP’s River Campus, which includes a state-of-the-art environmental lab, where students explore the ever-changing river. There’s a private dock for the women’s rowing team and what a scenic spot for intramural sports. Cheers, Allana.
Let’s meet Ian, a senior in the Shiley School of Engineering. Ian is one of those students who could fill an entire episode with everything he’s involved in. At the center of it all is Ian’s faith journey and pay special attention to the unique way he gets around campus. Ian, you are on.
– Thanks Alex. Yes, I am a senior computer science major, but that’s only part of my UP story. I started out as a commuter student, and with so many events and activities happening day and night, I found myself spending all of my time on campus. I got involved in clubs and campus ministry and quickly made a ton of friends. Attending a Catholic University was really important to me and UP’s Campus Ministry is one of my favorite things about the school. I’ve been on several retreats, joined clubs like Catholic Conversations and FISH, our non-denominational Christian Club. I sing with the chapel choir and I play piano for the daily masses in the residence halls. I’m always finding something fun happening on campus. From free mocktails in St. Mary’s Lounge, to cultural events like Hawaii’s Club Luau. You especially don’t want to miss Rock The Bluff, a huge concert that brings in big talent each spring. And during the holidays, we light up the tallest living Christmas tree in the state of Oregon. Alongside all those clubs and activities, I’m also getting great preparation for my career. I traveled to Florida for a NASA competition with the Robotics Club, and through the multiple engineering co-op program, I got two paid six month internships. My first one being at Daimler Trucks, which has given me the best work experience I could have asked for. UP really invests in its students, offering a wide range of programs to gain real world experience outside of the classroom. And the Career Education Center does an incredible job connecting students with internships, jobs, and networking opportunities, so we’re prepared for whatever comes next. I was worried about making friends and pursuing my faith in college, but now I’m known as the unicycle guy who’s involved in pretty much everything. I really found my people and my place at University of Portland. Back to you, Alex, time to roll to my next class.
– Ian, I think that’s a College Tour first, a musically gifted, robotics club leader who rolls up on a unicycle. No matter how you show up, you’re a shining example of UP’s mission in action, with faith and formation as key pillars of the student experience. Thanks again, Ian.
Let’s hear from Kieurstyn, a senior ROTC cadet from Guam, who’s paying forward the support she receives to the next generation of students. Whether you’re the first in your family to attend college or amongst a long line of alums, every student faces challenges when they do, UP is there to help with academic tutoring, mental health counseling, affinity groups, and much more. Fill us in, Kieurstyn.
– Thanks for the intro, Alex. I always knew I wanted to attend college, the question was which one? I knew I wanted a place that was far away yet close to home, supportive inside and outside of my academics, and was going to develop me as a leader and a person. University of Portland ticked all those boxes. I’m the first in my family to attend college and when I came to UP from Guam, it was my first time I’d come to the mainland too. It was a shock all around, but the support I received these past three years, especially from my professors in the Pamplin School of Business has been a huge contributor to my success. I take pride in seeing my name each semester on the Dean’s List, and being an Air Force ROTC Cadet has contributed tremendously to my growth as a leader. The leadership skills I’ve learned in the Air Force ROTC Program has prepared me to become a student coordinator for UP’s First Generation Program, which provides support, mentoring, special programs and engagement opportunities for first generation students like me, the F-Gen program is one of many ways UP actively support students on their academic journey, from mental health services in the counseling center, to academic assistance at the Shepherd Academic Resource Center, not to mention the faculty librarians who make college level research a lot less intimidating, there’s always someone to help you every step of the way. My time on the Bluff has given me the confidence to embark on another journey, revitalizing the Chamorro Club for students coming from the Mariana Islands and Micronesia. Thanks to UP and the ways it has helped me grow, I know I’ll be prepared to be a United States Air Force officer when I graduate. Back to you Alex.
– Wow, Kieurstyn, you’ve done an amazing job navigating college life so far from home and helping others do the same. Your story proves that we’re stronger when we work together and that commitment to community is what defines the UP experience. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t wait for you to meet Laya, who like 70% of UP’s students hails from outside the state of Oregon. She’s all about exploring. And with the Pacific Ocean an hour west and Mount Hood’s in our East, UP is the perfect place for discovery in the classroom and out. Laya, you are up.
– Thanks Alex. Hey y’all, I honestly had no idea where to start when it came to deciding on the college. I grew up in a small town in Texas and the only thing I did know is I definitely wanted to go out of state for school. I first visited Oregon my junior year of high school and I kind of fell in love with the trees here. So when I found out Forest Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in the nation and it’s just across the road from campus, it has over 80 miles of hiking trails, I knew I had to go to UP. University of Portland has given me a perfect home base to explore the Pacific Northwest. When I’m not hiking in Forest Park, I make day trips to Cannon Beach with my friends, and road trips up to Olympic National Park. And the Outdoor Pursuits program also offers group trips, plus all the gear go hiking, camping, kayaking, even rock climbing nearly every week. I’ve also been doing a lot of exploring on campus. I knew I wanted to study political science, but I also love creative writing and theater, and I was kind of worried I’d have to choose, but the classes and clubs here at UP allow me to pursue all of my interests. I even have the opportunity to stop my own writing club. I also became a Moreau Center Service and Justice Coordinator in my residence hall, which has given me a new perspective of what doing my part to better the community really looks like. UP is so intentional in ensuring every student has the knowledge, support, and opportunities to pursue whatever sparks their interest. I’ve learned there’s no better place to find or fulfill your passions that among the supportive and genuinely welcome community at UP. That’s all for me, take it away, Alex.
– Laya standing in the heart of campus overlooking the city of Portland with tall trees as far as the eye can see, I definitely agree. The idyllic Pacific Northwest is brimming with opportunity. It’s great to see you taking full advantage of your liberal arts education and pursuing your passions. Thanks again.
Let’s meet Denver, a UP senior who puts learning into action to help others. That’s an essential part of student education at UP, where internships, practicums, and service work are built into the curriculum. Inspired by that, Denver harnessed support from faculty, staff, and fellow students to build a hydroponic farm right here on campus. Tell us more, Denver.
– Thanks Alex, as a kid, I spent a lot of time attending sporting events at UP and the camaraderie I experienced on campus left a big impression. So when I started looking at colleges, I knew that the University of Portland was the right fit for me. UP really encourages you to explore your interests and test your ideas with full support from faculty and staff. Take me for example, even though I’m studying computer science, I wanted to do something about food insecurity, so I built a hydroponic garden to grow food indoors. My next challenge was to scale it up for large populations, I proposed building a hydroponic farm with an automatic harvesting system as a capstone project. UP agreed and even let me build it right in the basement of our Shiley Hall, our engineering building on campus. I received awards from the Pilot Venture Challenge and grants from the city of Portland, that allowed me to turn my idea into a 501 nonprofit. Not only have I grown food for those who need it, I’ve also built an organization that supports another capstone team as an industry sponsor. This kind of hands-on experience is such a big part of UP, more than 80% of students participate in experiential learning opportunities, and our new Shiley-Marcos Center for Design & Innovation offers more than 45,000 square feet of maker spaces, labs and studios. Students from all majors can design, build and test their ideas together, under one roof. Since every project in the Shiley School of Engineering is paired with an industry advisor, I’ve been able to gain real world experience and build my professional network at the same time. My career is still undecided, but I know that UP has given me the tools I need to succeed no matter where I go next. Back to you Alex.
– Denver, what you’ve accomplished as an undergrad is absolutely incredible. Thanks for showing us how UP supports students in their drive to make positive change in the world. Engineering for impact is the Shiley School of Engineering’s motto and you’ve clearly taken that to heart. Thanks again for sharing.
Say hello to Blake, a 2021 alum who’s climbing his company’s ranks. Within 180 days of graduating, 99% of HPU students have their first job or are continuing their education. The Princeton Review recognizes HPU for the 13th best career services in the nation and the student outcomes back it all up. You’re up, Blake.
– Thanks, Alex, and hello everyone. I have a unique background in acting and growing up, I always knew what drove me towards acting was my desire to connect with people, so I knew I would thrive in some kind of people centered career. I just needed the right education to get me there. Now, I visited quite a few different schools, but none of them gave me the spark I was looking for until HPU. Not only did the campus community allow for so much learning, growth and fun, but it also allowed me to develop my leadership skills far beyond my degree. For example, High Point doesn’t just give you multiple choice tests that you’ll forget in a week instead of a lot of our capstones are actually based upon practical skills. This could be anything from a paper and presentation to a sales pitch and business proposal. HPU gives you a portfolio of work that you can show future employers and that you can truly showcase. We even have experiential learning labs where you can work with actual tools and techniques that are used in the workforce today and continue to explore those even further through internships. For example, I was lucky enough to work an internship with a national insurance broker where I was able to follow around one of their presidents all across the country to align their teams on sales and marketing strategies as a sophomore. At HPU, mentors and professors don’t just help you meet a standard. They make sure you set the standard. In fact, 99% of students have secured a job within six months of graduation. HPU doesn’t just prepare you for now, they prepare each and every student for an incredible future. Thanks to HPU’s guidance, I’m now thriving in my post-grad career. I was actually chosen to be one of the youngest leaders in my entire company. High Point University gives you the premier life skills to succeed beyond your expectations. Back to you, Alex.
– It sounds like you took full advantage of so much here as a student. HPU will make sure that you land that job you’ve had your eye on for years. The connections, preparation, and environment are all intentional to breed success in the student’s lives.
Meet Ryan, a senior marketing major from Long Island, New York. He’s going to share with you how HPU’s campus provides you with the dream student experience with an abundance of student activities. There’s so much to do on campus and we’re just a short drive to the surrounding mountains and beaches. Tell us more, Ryan.
– Thanks Alex, hey everyone. Did you know that there’s 168 hours in a week, and as a college student, you’ll be in class for approximately 20 of those? Yes, there’s homework, study time, and projects to account for, but what about the fun stuff? HPU has long understood that college should be more than just time spent in a class. It’s a time for students like me to find their home away from home, discover lifelong friendships, uncover and grow their passions and hobbies and make lifelong memories. HPU is a vibrant campus with more events than I have time to talk about. I’m president of our campus activities team and I can tell you there is never a dull moment on our campus, whether it’s our weekly complimentary food truck block party, athletic events, our seasonal ice skating rink, our student concerts, or our carnivals. We’ve had artists like T-Pain, Flo Rida, Two Friends, and so many more perform here. If you’re into sports, we’ll probably find you at basketball games in our beautiful arena, and that’s just one of 17 D1 teams here on campus. As a student, you get to enjoy these events with your friends every single year, and the campus is designed to promote socializing. Fire pits are located for outdoor gatherings year round. We even have outdoor igloos during the cooler winter months to ensure that all areas of campus are ready for your use. I never thought I’d be able to get all this life experience, career preparation and fun from a school, but HPU gave me that. Back to you, Alex.
– Wow, that is one active student body. There are so many things to do on and around campus. I definitely have to come back for some of those insane concerts or a basketball game. Thanks again, Ryan.
Meet Ivana, a young entrepreneur and pharmacy major from Jamestown, North Carolina. HPU offers a one of a kind initiative for their students. The Access to Innovators program, it brings recognizable leaders from an array of industries to campus to work directly with students. Ivana created a product and pitched it to one of HPU’s innovators, and the rest is history. Ivana, please share your story.
– Thanks, Alex. Choosing a college was an incredibly daunting task. I had too many interests and no specific job title or career that fit just right with what I like to do. I knew that when selecting a university, I’d need to pick a place where I could learn about myself with flexibility in what I learned and how I practiced my skills. Through the help, support, and hands-on investment from this university, and the Access To Innovators program. I didn’t come into pharmacy school knowing that I would study entrepreneurship, make my own product, and build a business, but after meeting professors that encouraged my interests, I realized I could take my love of creating value for others and pair it with a graduate degree. HPU’s Access To Innovators program brings over 50 thought leaders, industry game changers, and inspiring individuals tied to top tier, well-known companies straight to campus to work with students. These worldwide leaders mentor us students personally about what it’s like being in their shoes on a day-to-day basis and how they got to where they are. Innovators such as Marc Randolph, the co-founder of Netflix. Cynt Marshall, the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. And Dee Ann Turner, a former talent executive at Chick-fil-A regularly engage with students on campus. These renowned innovators listen to our challenges and accomplishments to provide candid, unfiltered, personal advice to help us grow. I’ve developed a very close relationship with Marc Randolph, the co-founder of Netflix. He’s our entrepreneur in residence, and I’ve pitched my product to him multiple times for his feedback and guidance. He’s given me the tips and tricks to bring it to life. Being able to match my passion with my coursework has helped me discover who I truly am, and made me into an amazing future pharmacist and entrepreneur. That’s all from me. Back to you, Alex.
– What an incredible journey. You have made the most of your time at HPU and founding passions. The mentorship you received was critical to your professional development and success. Now the program continues to grow and changes and inspires the lives of thousands of students each year. Unbelievable, thanks again, Ivana.
Time to meet Grant, a graduate student getting his Master’s Degree in Communication and Business Leadership. Just when you thought this place couldn’t get any better, think again. HPU showcases their academic innovation once more. Get this, they have pioneered the tuition-free master’s degree for their students. That’s right, tuition-free. Tell us more, Grant.
– Thanks Alex. During my time in undergrad, I took advantage of many opportunities to get involved, lead and expand my network with everything that HPU has to offer. Their tuition free master’s program topped off my experience. After graduating from the School of Communication with a journalism degree, I jumped right into the tuition-free Communication and Business Leadership Master’s program and have already learned so much in my short time. Most of the classes in the program are practical, and the skills transfer very easily. In my Leadership In The Law class, I was able to present a product’s legal implications to a board. I’ve also learned tactics that make me a stronger leader and a more valued team player. The best part about it is that I can continue my fantastic undergrad experience because HPU allows me to live on campus, eat at our dining locations, and take part in all the fun activities the school has to offer. Where else can you get an opportunity like this, and if you apply Early Decision, you not only get access to one tuition-free master’s program where you get to choose from a list of 10 master’s programs. Imagine beginning life after college with your MBA or your Master’s in Healthcare Management, Biomedical Sciences, Communication and Business Leadership, Educational Leadership, and many more. You pay $0 in tuition for a degree that costs anywhere between 40,000 and $80,000. I know that I will be ahead of the curve compared to most college students because of the skills and culture here at HPU. My leadership, work ethic, and passion for journalism have become stronger because of HPU’s dedication to excellence and the amazing people who make up our campus community. Back to you, Alex.
– Your program sounds incredible and I’m not surprised that so many students have taken advantage of this. This program is preparing students from any undergraduate background and giving them executive education, which is why 100% of them have gotten jobs within 180 days of graduating. Absolutely incredible. Thanks again, Grant.