"Thank you, MSJ, for my home away from home!"
What is your year and major?
I am a junior double major in Financial Economics and Criminology with a concentration in Fraud and Financial Crimes Investigation.
What is your anticipated graduation year?
I plan on graduating in May 2026.
Why did you choose the Mount?
I chose the Mount for its small class sizes, welcoming community, and academic opportunities.
Are you involved in any student organizations or extracurriculars? If so, how have these supported your academic success?
I am part of Mount St. Joseph's Theatre Arts. This has supported by academic success by surrounding me with some of the most creative and encouraging group of peers. We work together as a team both on stage and offstage to help one another be successful in all of our endeavors. Theatre also gives me the opportunity to step into someone else's shoes, let my mind take a break from school and work, and just have fun! I also work in the Learning Center as a writing tutor. When we are not working with other students, we are allowed to work on our own homework - It definitely helps me stay motivated to be surrounded by other diligent students!
How do you manage your course load along with other obligations?
At the beginning of every semester, I organize all the assignments in my syllabus and put them into an Excel Sheet in order by due date and color code by class. I also include important dates for extracurriculars, which helps me keep track of when everything needs to be done, so I can manage my time accordingly.
Are there any staff or professors you would like to credit who helped accommodate your experience?
Lauren Carr, our theatre director, has been one of my biggest supporters since I have started my education at the Mount. Not only has she always been a listening ear, but she has taught me so much about standing up for myself and speaking up about things that are important to me. She truly cares about her students and always pushes us to do our best. Dr. Pierre Rivolta, my professor and advisor, set me up for academic success from day one. He is very knowledgeable and has helped me stay organized and on top of all my obligations. He has been a huge support for me, especially as I navigated my changing plans for after graduation. Finally, Lisa Tinsley, the Coordinator of Administrative and Legal Services, works extremely hard behind the scenes to help keep the Mount up and running. If I ever had an issue and didn't know what my next steps were, she always had an answer or directed me to the right person. I am so thankful for everyone at the Mount who has contributed to my amazing experience at the Mount!
Describe one of your favorite memories at the Mount so far.
One of my favorite memories at the Mount was performing in the Fall '24 theatre production, "A Piece of My Heart". This play told the stories of several women who served in the Vietnam War. I was so blessed to work and connect with a diverse and extremely talented cast to tell this powerful story.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join the Mount community?
Always voice the things that are important to you. Everyone here is extremely helpful, and wants to see you thrive on campus. Ask all the questions you have - We are happy to answer! College is an investment in yourself, so don't be afraid to tell us what you need.
What was your experience like connecting with students on campus?
Once I started engaging in class and extracurricular activities, I connected with other students on campus immediately! Getting involved in clubs and organizations is so important because it connects you right away with people who have similar interests (for me, it was theatre)!
Can you describe your experience with the scholarships and applying for them?
The Mount's merit-based scholarships are based on high school GPA/testing scores and automatically applied, so they are very easy to receive! There is also a Renaissance scholarship for anyone in theatre, choir, band, Peak Productions, or Writer's Block. These are also automatically applied as long as you meet the requirements.
Can you share more about your experience with making the Mount education affordable?
The Mount's financial aid team is amazing, and if you reach out to them, they will do whatever they can to make a Mount education as affordable as possible.
Anything else you want to share about your experience?
Thank you, MSJ, for my home away from home!