This is the second of a two-part series. Read Myah’s other reasons for choosing Transylvania.
Hello to all prospective and first-year Transylvania University students.
My name is Myah Becker, and I’m a first-year student myself here at Transylvania doing work-study through the Office of Marketing and Communications.
If you’re looking for a reason to come here, or you’re already a first-year student trying your best but don’t quite know why you should keep going, I have composed a list of all the reasons I chose to one day be a Transy alum. It may help you make that tough decision seem less daunting.
Alumni outcomes
If you’re like me, you have big dreams of what you want to do and where you want to go. You want to know that paying all this money for a higher education will be worth it in the end. I am here to tell you, be not afraid. There is evidence that Transylvania students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful post graduation. Out of all the stories about the school, the ones from alumni are my favorite. Their journeys are just the inspiration you need to see how beneficial being a student at Transy can be. Transylvania appreciates and celebrates its alumni every year, and the way alumni speak about Transy shows that it is more than a school.
Read more: Transylvania grad supports rural economic development while attending Clinton School of Public Service and Transylvania to host panel featuring outstanding alumni April 25.
First-year engagement
Being a first-year student on campus can be intimidating. It’s hard to see how you can establish yourself within the Transy community and build your home among strangers. However, when I was researching, not only did I find clubs, but in them I also found first-year student leaders. They were implementing ideas and making changes despite being new to Transylvania. As someone who is very passionate about advocacy and making the world a better place, I found it inspiring to see students doing just that — as well as finding adventure and enjoyment out of this new experience. As the new school year begins, many of the leadership positions have opened up because previous students have graduated. These roles allow for first-year students to get ahead on their leadership and management skills. In September, one of my fellow first-year friends ran and was elected as secretary of TUnity. How cool is that?
Read more: Transylvania first-year SGA senator goes all in on campus engagement and First-year Transylvania student finds adventure, community as new school year starts.
Diversity and inclusion
As the world changes, many students like me want to have a place that is accepting and understanding of everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. When I was looking at colleges as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I wanted somewhere that was open and honest about wanting to be a place where everyone had equal opportunities, where they had spaces to get involved. Looking on Transylvania’s website, I found that the school had a whole office for diversity, equity and inclusion. I also saw all of the student-led clubs that have been created on campus and the things they’d done to help make the university home to all. I just recently joined TUnity, which is a club for members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as the Transy Pagan Student Association, which is a religious group for practicing pagans and those who just want to learn more. Once you get out of the dorm and find your people, it really makes Transy feel like home.
Read more: Transylvania students launch Multicultural and International Student Organization and Transylvania celebrates Pride Week through Friday.
Your story will be different from mine, and you will have your own thoughts on this topic, but no matter what your story is, there is a place for you at Transy. For those currently looking at colleges, even if Transylvania is not on your radar, I implore you to not settle for anywhere less than one that you love. Make that list of non-negotiables, weigh the pros and cons, look at the programs and clubs, because you matter — your feelings and experiences matter. The choices we make for ourselves not only affect our lives, but they affect the lives of those around us. If you can choose to be anything, choose to be happy.