Welcome to our newest Nova series, Why We Chose ³ûÖÊÓƵ. We spend a lot of time telling prospective students why they should choose ³ûÖÊÓƵ, but who better to explain the real benefits as you’ll experience them than current students? We asked some current Stars to give us the rundown of why they chose ³ûÖÊÓƵ and why you should, too.
The basics
Name: Chassiti Oglesby
Major: Exercise and Sport Science
Academic Year: Junior
Home City: Lewisville, Texas
What was the deciding factor that led you to attend school at ³ûÖÊÓƵ?
The overall atmosphere. The campus was beautiful in pictures, then I came
for a visit, and I immediately felt at home. I had such an incredible
welcoming on my visits with the tour guides, other students who spoke with
me and didn't even know who I was, and the soccer team. After visiting
here, I looked at my mom and immediately knew ³ûÖÊÓƵ would be my home
for the next 4 years.
Do you feel like your expectations of your college experience have been met or exceeded?
Exceeded. From the continued love, support, and caring attitudes with other students, teammates, and professors, ³ûÖÊÓƵ has continued to make me feel just like it did when I visited for the first time in high school. With the small size of ³ûÖÊÓƵ, I love the fact that I can walk anywhere on campus and feel comfortable because I recognize a face or someone always asks how I have been doing.
How accepted do you feel at ³ûÖÊÓƵ?
I feel 100% accepted emotionally, culturally, and spiritually here at ³ûÖÊÓƵ. I
feel like ³ûÖÊÓƵ has continued to amaze me in the ways they get involved
with diversity and inclusion and continue this throughout Greek life as well. ³ûÖÊÓƵ truly cares about every last student, staff member,
and visitor.
How has your time at ³ûÖÊÓƵ changed your life?
I have met people here at ³ûÖÊÓƵ I feel like I would've never gotten the
opportunity to anywhere else. I could honestly go anywhere in the U.S. and
know at least one person from every state. With my involvement on
the soccer team, I have been introduced to so many different ways of life
from all the international players present. ³ûÖÊÓƵ has changed my life in
so many ways it is hard to single out on specific aspect, but if I had to pick, it would be by opening my mind to so many different lifestyles, cultures,
and even the artistic world through dance and theater.
If you had to try to convince a high school student they should consider ³ûÖÊÓƵ, what would your pitch be?
I would tell them that even though ³ûÖÊÓƵ is a small school, it is in such a big
city that you feel surrounded by so much, and it is hard to get bored here. The
kindhearted, going out of their way professors will push your limits each
and every class as you have small classes, but I have never felt more
involved and comfortable to reach out to a professor for help when I need it
due to being able to connect with them in the small class sizes. Even
though ³ûÖÊÓƵ looks small from the outside looking in, there is so so much
more ³ûÖÊÓƵ has to offer each and every year as a student, and it is like its
own small community that you never want to leave. Whether you're having
a bad day or a good day, there will always be a smiling face here on
campus, even someone you don't know, that will help brighten
your day just a little more.
If you had to pick one word only to describe your time so far at ³ûÖÊÓƵ, what would that word be?
Memorable. I chose this word because ³ûÖÊÓƵ has yet to fail to give me a lifetime of memories that I will forever cherish, and I am so grateful to have met
the wonderful staff and students here.
Do you participate in athletics, school clubs, Greek life or other extracurricular activities?
I participate in Greek life as I am a sister of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority
and am also on the women's soccer team. I am also a part of the National
Society of Leadership and Success.