Highlights

Amelia Schmitz

Amelia Schmitz — current theatre performance major at USI — aspires to be a professional actor, and this semester she has taken on her most challenging role yet: director. In spring of this year, USI announced that it would be accepting show proposals from students who wished to direct a production at the university. Schmitz — who has been wanting to direct a show since her freshman year at USI — wasted no time in seizing the opportunity. She submitted a proposal to direct a show titled These Shining Lives, and shortly after her proposal was selected, plans were made for her to direct the show this fall.

These Shining Lives is a historical production centered around the women that painted watch faces at Radium Dial in Ottawa, Illinois during the early 1900s. Radium Dial taught the women to use a lip-point painting method, which required the women to put their paint brushes in their mouths before painting the numbers on the watches. During this time period, the lip-point painting method was deemed safe because people believed radium had medicinal applications. However years of using radium proved be extremely harmful for the women and many suffered from radium poison, an insufferable and terminal illness. So, the production follows the dial-painters as they stand up against Radium Dial because the company knew about the dangers of radium and chose to exploit the workers anyway. 

The historical significance of These Shining Lives proved to be Schmitz’s greatest asset as well as challenge as she directed the show. On the one hand, Schmitz described how conducting historical research for this production was one of her favorite parts of the process. “These women are truly amazing,” Schmitz explained. “They helped change the legal system for employees and create a safer work environment for the future.”

On the other hand, the time period in which the show is set creates more challenging dialogue for the actors. “I have found moments of the dialogue challenging since sometimes the characters speak more poetical,” Schmitz admitted. “It has been challenging dissecting those lines and helping the actors understand them, but overall, it has helped me grow as a director and an artist.”

Overall, Schmitz seemed confident in the work she and her cast put into the production. “I have been loving rehearsing with my cast. They are a very talented group of actors and I love seeing how the show grows every time we rehearse. Just getting to guide a story as it comes to life is a priceless experience.”

Tommy Kautzman

“I just want to do something that makes the world a better place.”

Tommy Kautzman — current political science major and public relations minor at USI — may not yet know the trajectory of his future career in politics, but that does not stop him from seizing every opportunity possible to advance his knowledge and experience in his field. This past summer, Kautzman worked as a Digital Communications Intern for the Office of Congressman Brian Mast in Washington, DC. Kautzman would like to preface the discussion of his internship by stating that working with the Office of Congressman Brian Mast was an excellent professional opportunity and the opinions and values expressed by said office do not reflect his own.

Although working in the nation’s capital may be intimidating to some, this was not Kautzman’s first internship in Washington, DC. In fact, Kautzman learned about the Digital Communications Internship through a connection he had made in a previous internship working for the Office of Indiana State Senator Mike Braun. Not only was Kautzman resourceful in securing yet another internship in Washington, DC to gain more hands-on experience, but the Digital Communications Internship did not provide housing, so Kautzman had to secure housing on his own. Ultimately, he was able to stay in a dorm at the Catholic University of America.

Some of Kautzman’s responsibilities as a Digital Communications Intern for the Office of Congressman Brain Mast were keeping up with current events, understanding the office’s political goals, and creating digital content tailored to the office’s political views. Some of the content he was in charge of creating included social media captions, tweets, and graphics.

“I really learned how to use Adobe Photoshop in design and gained a better understanding of the software,” explained Kauztman. “Overall, I definitely had the ability to strengthen my graphic design skills, writing skills, and was able to connect with professionals in the realm of communications.”

When reflecting upon how his experience at USI thus far has contributed to his success outside the classroom, Kauztman specifically recalled Advertising 101 with Dr. Summer Shelton. He elaborated on how Dr. Shelton is not only a true inspiration to her students, but how her course helped lay the framework for a lot of the concepts he has encountered in his real world experience.

Finally, Kautzman encouraged anyone considering studying abroad or working for an internship in a new place to seize the opportunity. “The feeling of getting ready to go can be really overwhelming,” he admits, "but you just have to learn to be comfortable getting uncomfortable and remember the reason you want to do it. Then everything will work out with time.”

Alexia Wilson

College is a place of great opportunity, not just in academic and professional advancement, but in personal growth and self-discovery as well. USI student, Alexia Wilson, has wasted no time in seizing all these opportunities. Alexia has had immense academic and professional success, as she recently had her essay “Despite the Abuse and Bullying I Suffered Growing Up with Autism, I’m Now Going to College!” published in a collection called Autistics on Autism: Stories You Need to Hear About What Helped Them While Growing Up and Pursuing Their Dreams, edited by Kerry Margo. This collection, as well as her essay, was released for sale on Amazon on March 29, 2022. Since the collection’s release, it is now in listed as a “Best Seller” in its genre on Amazon. Furthermore, all proceeds go to KFM Making a Difference, a non-profit organization founded by Kerry Magro that helps provide scholarships for adults with autism to attend college.

Alexia explains how, although publishing her work has always been a dream of hers, she did not expect her essay “Despite the Abuse and Bullying I Suffered Growing Up with Autism, I’m Now Going to College!” to be the first piece she published. Alexia originally wrote her essay as a part of her application for the KFM Making a Difference scholarship and, even though she was not chosen as a recipient of the scholarship, she was contacted by Kerry Magro to see if she would be interested in publication. She describes the publication process as quick and painless, involving just a few emails and a free early release copy of the collection.

Although publication is a mark of great academic and professional success, Alexia’s inspiration for writing the essay derives from the self-discovery and liberating sense of independence she has found while attending USI. In her essay, Alexia recalls how when she was younger, she “was pushed into the sides of lockers and walls, called a SPED (which is worse than ‘retard’), called fugly, and [her] homework was stolen the few times that [she] finished it.” Now, in college, Alexia believes that she has found a more accepting and less judgmental community. She describes college as one of the greatest experiences of her life.

However, despite Alexia’s passion for writing, for the first two years of her college career her major was undecided because she wanted to choose a major that would please her family. In the end, Alexia’s newfound freedom and independence pushed her to pursue her passion for writing and editing, and she declared a major in English with an emphasis on Professional Writing and Rhetoric. Also, on her path of self-discovery in college, Alexia researched more about autism, discovered what it was, and found her identity in it. While some may prefer to be referenced as “a person with autism,” Alexia prefers the term “autistic,” although she does not like being categorized on the autism spectrum. She explains how certain medical groups will deny care if someone is classified as too high or low functioning on the autism spectrum. Alexia remembers that during her freshman year at USI, her insurance denied covering her medication because she was considered too “high functioning” to need it.

Among the issues Alexia believes there are with the social perceptions of autism in relation to the autism spectrum, inaccurate stereotypes are one of the most harmful. Alexia explains how “Autism is not easy and the hardest part to deal with is the way society treats us.” Some of the stereotypes Alexia tackles are the victimization of parents, the innocence of autistic people, and the assumption of physical indicators. She details how the majority of the support and sympathy given to those with autism goes towards the parents. Alexia wants to make it clear that parents of autistic children are not victims but just normal parents who have normal parental responsibilities towards their children. Moreover, another harmful stereotype Alexia wishes to debunk is that all autistic people are completely naïve, innocent, and dependent on others. She asserts that autistic individuals are just as capable and mature as neurotypical individuals (those without autism). Lastly, a lot of people assume that you can tell someone is autistic by the way they look but that is not the case. Alexia states that “There is no look to [autism], that’s not how it works.” She believes that is unfair to say someone is or is not autistic based on the way they look. Overall, it is always better to ask questions rather than make assumptions about other people.

Click here to purchase the collection.

Click here to learn more about the KFM Making a Difference Foundation.

Interview conducted and written by Aubrey Swart '22

Alice Wickliffe

Class of 2024
Major: Criminal Justice

Distinguished Student Award winner, Alice Wickliffe, had the rare opportunity to present joint research with Dr. Caroline Jalain at the Southern Criminal Justice Association Conference in September of this year. Alice was kind enough to answer some questions about their presentation, entitled "Examining Veterans Treatment Courts Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Preliminary Results." 

How did you come to USI and the Criminal Justice program?

I first attended USI in 1984. Last year, I decided to return and finish what I started 37 years ago. I wanted to be a corporate lawyer all those years ago, but life has shown me the disparity in the criminal justice system, and I believe that being a voice for those who are accused of a criminal act is my purpose. I have been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), for more than nine years and found that I love working in criminal justice.

Tell us about your paper.

It was a joint effort with Dr. Jalain. We both wrote sections of the paper and did parts of the PowerPoint. The presentation focused on the research we will be conducting. Veterans Treatment Court is a specialty court that was started in 2008 by Judge Robert Russell in Buffalo, NY. Judge Russell had seen an influx of veterans on the court docket and felt that because of their unique situation, a specialty court could offer them an opportunity to receive treatment, get their life back on track, and avoid prison. The focus of our research is how the VTC (Veterans Treatment Court) operated during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The pandemic has had such a profound effect on every aspect of life. We feel that knowing and understanding the effect on VTC will help to improve policies and protocols going forward.

As a student, how does it feel to have been a presenter at an academic conference?

I am very honored to have been asked to be a part of such a rare opportunity. I did not fully understand the magnitude of it all until I arrived there. I had the opportunity to meet another undergraduate and during our conversation realized that few, in my position, got the opportunity to do what I was able to do.

Are you happy with how the presentation went?

Yes! I was nervous. Dr. Jalain and I practiced many times and she encouraged me. She said I did well. I wanted to make her and the University proud, so it was important to me that I did my best.

What are your future plans?

2024 is my graduation date. I have not decided if I will attend graduate school or go to law school. I do know that I will use my education and skills to be a voice for those who are wrongly convicted.

Is there anything else you would like to share about this experience?

It was the best academic experience I have had so far, and I am profoundly grateful for the trust and the honor that was given to me by Dr. Jalain.

Stephanie Folz

Class of 2021

Major: History

Minors: Creative Writing, Professional Writing and Rhetoric

Involvement: USI History Society

Have you ever had your hands on a piece of ancient history? Literally? USI History major, Stephanie Folz has. She frequently works on researching the ancient artifacts and artwork within the USI Art Collection thanks to her position as Student Archivist in the John M. Lawrence ’73 Library. 

The Lawrence Library is one of USI’s (somewhat) hidden gems. Located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center, the Library is home to a rotation of curated exhibits featuring antiquated items donated by the Library’s namesake, John M. Lawrence ‘73, and others, such as former USI College of Liberal Arts Dean Michael Aahkus. Lawrence is an international expert and collector of medieval manuscripts. Lawrence donated many of his medieval manuscripts as well as other artifacts, for use as a study collection for students. Michael Aakhus’s wife Patricia (Patty) Aakhus was instrumental in the formation of the Library, which sprang from a friendship between her and John Lawrence. Patty Aakhus, who was an Associate Professor of English, served as the director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and also served as program director in Global Studies (formerly known as International Studies). She served as the first caretaker of the Lawrence Library. Since her death in 2012, the College of Liberal Arts oversaw the Library until 2018 when Susan Colaricci Sauls M’16, Director of University Art Collections, officially took over the management of the space and the collection.

Sauls now oversees not only the space but also the student workers for the Library. She tells us, “The Lawrence Library prides itself on the student leadership of the space. Each semester there is a Senior Student Archivist and one to two Student Archivists that curate exhibitions, research manuscripts and artifacts, and participate in collections management and care.” Stephanie Folz started her position at the Library about one year ago and immediately fell in love with the work. As a History major, she is no stranger to doing research and, coupled with her minors in Creative Writing and Professional Writing, she can craft a great story to go with each piece in the exhibits.

It may not surprise anyone that her first stops in researching any of the unknowns about pieces in the Library are Google and Wikipedia. Using key terms and comparing images of similar artworks helps her sleuth out the origins and subject matter for many of the works. “When you can’t read a language, you have to use context clues to figure out the meaning. I have even been able to use Pinterest to find little ‘breadcrumbs’ of information that lead me down a trail to learning more about a piece,” Stephanie says. This detective work was put to use when Stephanie curated her own exhibit, “A Global Phenomenon: Religion,” on display now. She chose a selection of Eastern Hemisphere religious artifacts and texts that range from the ancient thoughts of Buddhism, the branches of Christianity, and to the life way of Hinduism.

As someone who loves mythology, Stephanie reveled in the chance to work with the different gods, goddesses, and saints depicted in her exhibit. Her favorite eras to study include Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt and she has been able to handle pieces from those eras in her role at the Library. A couple of her favorite pieces are Vishnu Under the Sun, the Thai Buddha Folios, and the Hellenistic Greek Krater. If you would like to see any of these pieces up close, visit the Lawrence Library where both exhibits will be on display through the end of the academic year (May 2021).

The Library is open to the public and open to USI classrooms wanting to do their own research. To find out more about the library, its exhibits, and scheduling, please visit the website.

If you would like to learn more about the USI Art Collection, check out USI Foundation’s video featuring Susan Colaricci Sauls.

Alleigh Dillman 

From: Washington, IN

Class of 2022 | Majors: French and Business Administration

Advice for fellow students: "Get close with your professors because a lot of people are scared and don’t talk to them but they’re all really helpful and want us to succeed. If you don’t take the step to establish a good relationship with your professors, you might miss out on the resources they could provide to help further the future of your career."

In the College of Liberal Arts every member of our faculty and staff and each of our students play an important role in the College’s success. Alleigh Dillman happens to fit into two of those categories: student and staff. Alleigh, a current sophomore, works in the College of Liberal Arts as a Liberal Arts Assistant. In this position she makes package runs to other buildings, delivers faculty mail, informs Dean Beeby of meetings, and helps students and other staff with their everyday tasks.

In addition to her role in Liberal Arts Alleigh is majoring in both French and Business Administration. When asked about why she chose these majors Alleigh talked about how she has been practicing French for six years and described it as “second nature." Alleigh knew she would pursue French in college because it is one of her passions but she wanted to combine it with something she knew would add to her marketability, leading to discovering the business administration major. Alleigh sees many career options in her future once she graduates from USI and she is currently considering going into international business, accounting, or business law.

Whenever she’s not busy with classes or work, Alleigh enjoys all things outdoorsy, ASMR videos, Netflix binges, and dancing... especially for USI’s Dance Marathon.

What is unique about the College of Liberal Arts?

“How accepting people are here." Alleigh has a tattoo and was pleasantly surprised to find out that others working in the College (including many professors!) have them, too. She appreciates how people in the College of Liberal Arts aren’t so worried about your appearance but more concerned with who you are and what skills you can provide.

Best USI Memory

So far, Alleigh’s best memory at USI was when she covered the opening of USI’s arena as a journalist for The Shield. While there, she met Dr. Rochon who gave her hug, took a picture with her, and complimented her glasses.

Riley Cornett

Riley K. Cornett ’19, who will graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies during the College of Liberal Arts Commencement Ceremony, will receive the President’s Medal, the highest honor presented to a graduate in the class of 2019.

A native of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Cornett knew from an early age that she was drawn to educational spaces and has sought to provide and promote opportunities for students entering higher education. She is being recognized for her years of volunteer service, peer mentorship and enthusiastic passion as an advocate for USI.

During her time at USI, she has served in various capacities across multiple student organizations, including the Ruston-O’Bannon Area Council, AMIGOs, and mentorship positions within Student Ambassadors and the Honors Program.

She is praised for her work ethic, professionalism, character and performance in the classroom and in her extracurricular activities. She has been described as a high achiever, a respected leader, and as a role model for student service-leadership among her peers. As a representative of USI’s student body, Cornett has spoken to members of the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and at USI’s Fuquay Welcome Center opening ceremony.

While working as a radio personality for 95.7 FM The Spin, USI’s student radio station, Cornett and her colleague Colin McDuffee ’20 were awarded first place in the national “On Air Personality” competition of the College Broadcasters, Incorporated National Student Production Awards, and the “Radio Show” competition of the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters.

As a student, her awards and honors include the David L. Rice Merit Scholarship, Emma A. Gorby Endowed Deans Scholarship and the 2018 Spirit of the Eagle Award, given by USI’s Student Government Association annually to those dedicated to creating a better USI.

Following her graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in higher education administration and student affairs with the eventual goal of employment as a dean of students in a university setting. 

Cornett is the daughter of Mary and Larry Cornett. Her sister, Ashtyn, is a student at USI and plans to graduate in the fall of 2019.

Other finalists for the President’s Medal from the Class of 2019 included Haley Limper, Hannah Spurgeon and Kristen Stout. The Student Affairs Committee of Faculty Senate annually selects the recipient of the President’s Medal.

Anna Ardelean

I have always been honored to call myself a Screagle. With every class I have felt myself growing into a scholar, with every meeting I have felt myself growing into a professional and with every passing day I have felt myself falling more in love with the school I call home. From the moment I toured the University of Southern Indiana as a senior in high school,

I knew that I would be happy here. What I didn’t know was that this University would be my absolute favorite place. In fact, I didn’t fully realize this until I had to leave due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Of course I was upset that the semester was being cut short, but sitting at home gave me a lot of time to think about all that I was missing.

I missed sitting in the UC with my friends chatting about the lecture we were just in. I missed scrambling to plan meetings for my organization and really believing the font on the poster was the absolute most important thing. I missed sitting in the Multicultural Center and feeling the chaotic energy of the room as everyone rushed to welcome each other and ask about their days. I missed walking across The Quad and seeing a professor, with me with excitement. I missed laughing with my classmates before the professor walked in.

I missed my friends challenging me to take on new leadership positions. I missed the loud rumble of Starbucks contrasting with the click of my shoes as I walked toward the silent library. I missed hanging out in the Honors office. I missed seeing the wonderful theatrical productions. I missed sitting in the basement of the library until 10 p.m., discussing and debating philosophy. I missed arguing with professors and classmates over which policy would be most effective. I missed the late nights of studying or planning. I missed seeing all the friendly faces in the administrative wing. I missed the thrill of seeing my favorite parking spot being empty. I missed fist bumps with James the bus driver. I missed the excitement of seeing Dr. Rochon walking around campus. I missed my friends and acquaintances because they were all part of my world and the life I had built at USI.

The University of Southern Indiana isn’t just a school. It’s a life. It is the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning and last when I fall asleep. It is my journey to becoming the opportunity and second chances. It is help when I need it and service when I can give it. The University of Southern Indiana was the first thing in my life that was really mine. I could shape my experience here into whatever I wanted. I could be as successful as I dared. I could push boundaries and explore my interests.

USI is constantly changing and moving. Growing. Improving. It allows for the self- actualization of its students. If we see something missing, we can work to improve it. We can create concrete change in this ever so stubborn world. We can make an impact here far beyond our short time as students.

The University of Southern Indiana has proven to be the steppingstone I needed to take me from a kid with big dreams to a young adult with tangible skills to make those dreams a reality. USI has become the home I didn’t know I was missing and the family I never want to leave. And that is why I will always be proud to be a Screaming Eagle.

Kasey Hunt-Short

Working during the pandemic has been a big adjustment for everyone. Before the coronavirus drove us into quarantine, most people had never worked from home or worked for extended periods under a mask. Now that these adjustments have become the new norm, we are learning about the ways people got creative with their roles and found ways around the hurdles COVID-19 provided.

For the students employed at 95.7 The Spin, USI’s own radio station, the first COVID-19 hurdles came in the form of finding a way to provide their content to the public without access to their radio equipment. We interviewed Kasey Hunt-Short, the Local Music Director at The Spin to get insight on how the team persisted and what it was like to come back to work early on in the pandemic.

What do you do in your role as Local Music Director? 

It is my job to add local music to the radio station and talk to local bands and artists about their experience in the music industry on the radio. Since COVID-19 began, I began interviewing them over Instagram Live. I am also the co-podcast director of The Spin’s music review podcast called “The Spin Soundtrack.” (To find out more about all of The Spin’s podcasts, check out their website!)

What has it been like working during the pandemic?

There are definitely pros and cons to working during the pandemic. One pro is that I have more opportunities to reach out to artists who are farther away. Under regular circumstances I wouldn’t have the chance to interview them. The only problem with that, though, is that I don’t get to make that personal connection like I usually do.

Another one of the cons about working during the pandemic is that there are a lot of rules to keep us safe in the studio, like being so many feet away from each other and only so many people can do things at once. The limits make things stressful but, ultimately, it’s all worth it to make sure no one gets sick.

What are ways you’ve had to be creative with scheduling, programming, etc. during the pandemic?

We have been taking some interviews from Instagram Live and rerunning them on the air. We’ve also been taking these interviews and uploading them to our YouTube channel and other online platforms. Besides the interviews, we’ve been creating some themed shows. For Halloween I made up a theme of “bands that resonate spooky energy.”

What has your personal experience been like as a student worker during all of this? 

As a student, I have always valued my education first and getting good grades, so it can be really tricky balancing that and my job, social life, and mental health… especially during a pandemic. The way I cope with the stress of it all is that I remind myself “this isn’t going to last forever; this is only temporary.”

Even though the pandemic is a negative thing happening right now, I know there will be some positivity that will come out of it.

Listen to Kasey and the whole 95.7 The Spin team live on your radio or through your browser.

Stephanie Draper-Moore

Class of 2020

Major: Bachelor of Professional Studies, Individual Studies

Minors: Anthropology, Gender Studies and Geography

Anthropology. Gender Studies. Geography. At first glance, you may wonder what these three subjects have in common. To Stephanie Draper-Moore, each subject represents something she found a passion for or strengthened her passion for during her time at the University of Southern Indiana. As a Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) student on the Individual Studies pathway, Stephanie was able to earn a degree that suited her unique wants, needs, and professional aspirations after working for over two decades in the political sector. So how did this veteran political consultant and campaign operative find her way to USI? What made her pick this institution and this degree over others? 

Stephanie’s career in politics at the city and state levels, working with Congressmen and being a member of the Indiana Commission for Women meant she had the opportunity to work on numerous initiatives and campaigns. But it was a multi-day event in 2016 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. that would change her life. This event, which focused on the victims of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping (#BringBackOurGirls), consisted of bringing together representatives from over a dozen countries fighting for ways to provide aid to the Nigerian government and getting the rest of the (276) girls home safely. Stephanie was determined to contribute more. This led to questions of, “What is the geographic landscape? Where do we look? What more can I do?” So, for her, wanting to be more educated on international matters meant going back to school. A chance encounter with USI’s Provost at the time, Dr. Ronald Rochon, followed by another chance encounter with USI’s President, Dr. Linda Bennett, cinched it. Both were adamant that Stephanie bring her talents to USI.

“Through the BPS program, I was able to put 23 years of government training to use,” Stephanie shares. Although, it was never what she would call easy. “BPS was very flexible. I was able to take classes I was interested in and hone my skills in those areas, but I took classes that I knew would be a significant challenge.” One of those classes was Geography. Dr. Joseph Di Pietro’s GEO 123 class was tough, but she could tell he was very passionate about the subject. Stephanie joked, “His exams were all memorization, which was terrifying. I was already a grandmother walking into that class!” But, determined to learn, she found ways to sharpen her memory and passed the class with an A, in what she considers the most pivotal course in her academic success.

Another fond memory she has is in an Anthropology field course with Dr. Michael Strezewski, which was originally taken to deepen her understanding of stratigraphy for her Geography studies. In it, the students were able to actually be a part of the unearthing of an ancient wigwam. On the final day of the dig, Dr. Strezewski was joined by fellow anthropologists from other universities and one of their comments stuck with Stephanie, “None of us got to do this as undergrads. Most people don’t get to do digs like this until graduate school.” It was then that she realized one of the most special things about USI: as a smaller institution, there are more opportunities for hands-on, real-world experience than on larger campuses and she experienced that value first-hand. An in-depth study of Medical Anthropology with Dr. Michael Rynkiewich the next semester sealed Anthropology as an additional major/minor.

Though most her time at USI has been spent taking scientific courses that were quite foreign to her background in government and politics, she found a home for her first love—politics, with instructor in political science and global studies, Ellen Topper. “I have taken every course she teaches, and would do it all over again,” she proclaims. “The insight gained in Ms. Topper’s International Studies and Global Engagement courses helped identify how to apply the intersection of my interest in a real-world scenario. BPS is the only program on campus that allows that type of flexibility. I encourage anyone pondering educational pursuits to take the plunge, and closely consider BPS an option.”

Throughout her time at USI, Stephanie has been a full-time student balancing the duties of school, work and family. One highlight of going to school while also working with younger people in her role as a Job Developer at YouthBuild Evansville is that she gets to share the things she is learning in the classroom with her own students. She says, “I take what I learn in class to the community and vice versa.”

There is another unique highlight in her journey at USI: the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Stephanie admits that this semester, her final semester, has been rough but is thankful that professors have been very understanding. “I’m completing my degree in just four years, which I am told is quite unique for adult learners. I have taken classes every summer, and yet, nothing compares to this semester.” She likened this semester to an out-of-body experience with its several ups and downs but noted one particularly emotional email. She was very disappointed, but not at all surprised, when the University announced the Spring 2020 Commencement ceremony was canceled. It dampened what should be a very happy moment for her and her classmates. Thankfully, an upswing came in the form of an email, too. Stephanie was thrilled that the ceremonies were being rescheduled and revamped so she could celebrate this major accomplishment.

After graduation, you can find Stephanie finishing the newly-minted Yale Climate and Health Program which focuses on climate adaptation mitigation, or how communities can be more resilient against the environmental changes ahead. Below are a few other questions we had for this Wonder Woman:

What’s the best career advice you have received?

Women should negotiate their salaries just like men do. We get the job offer and we’re excited to start planning our future with the company... But the offer is only the beginning. Next step: negotiation. You’re worth it.

What’s the most effective daily habit you possess?

Quiet time with just a pencil and piece of paper. About 15 minutes. It’s almost like a moment of meditation but, really, just a moment of rest. Quiet your mind and what fills it? For me, it is writing down ideas, thinking about what to read next, or catching up with my to-do list. It may be a reminder to call someone or pay a bill but sometimes I also sketch.

Hobbies and Interests:

I love to read articles. I’m very much a beach person. And I love spending time with family. Game night is better than a night in Paris. We have done a lot of karaoke during quarantine!

What is one thing you can’t wait to do once we are out of quarantine?

Take the family to Florida and meet up with my best friend from New York. That and a reunion with all my children and friends on the beach would be nice!

Jada Hampton

Class of 2020

Majors: Theatre Arts

Involvement 

• Assistant General Manager for the College Mentors for Kids
• Theatre/Africana Studies representative on the Dean’s Student Advisory Board
• Student Government Association (SGA) as a constructive member
• Public Relation chair for Career Services Ambassadors
• USI AMIGOS
• Emerging Leaders

Jobs

• Student worker for the College of Liberal Arts Dean’s Office
• Former Box Office Assistant for New Harmony Theatre

How many performances have you been a part of at USI?

I have been a part of six USI Theatre productions including my role as the sassy and brave Ermina Crump in Crumbs from the Table of Joy, the passionate and loving Hermia from a Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as the bright, endearing, and nameless The Girl in Eclipsed (which unfortunately didn’t make it to production due to the pandemic).

I also served as an assistant stage manager and got to work on my dramaturgical capabilities for our student production of Standing On My Knees. I have extreme gratitude and adoration for every single actor, director, designer, faculty and crew members that made the magic of USI Theatre possible. I will certainly never forget it.

Jada as Ermina Crump in Crumbs from the Table of Joy

Have you been able to perform outside of the USI Performance Center? If so, where?

It requires a considerate amount of time to be a theatre major and a part of productions, but I think we all pride ourselves with our ability to create outside of the mainstage. Whether that be writing a script and holding a staged reading, putting together a showcase, or coming together and reading our favorite scripts—I’ve always admired my peers for following those veins of artistry.

 I have been able to perform as an actor in selected plays at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), as well as a dancer, puppeteer, and actor at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. One of my fondest memories is meeting the director of Flock Theatre and getting into audio/voice over work for a very special project concerning slavery and historical figures in New London, Connecticut. It was such a cool opportunity!

What has been your favorite performance to be a part of so far?

It’s so hard to choose just one, because all of them hold a special place in my heart. However, Midsummer Night’s Dream was an absolute delight. I mean, who knew I would be swimming on stage while being restrained by two men? I’ve never been so in tune with my impulses as an actress and it was all invigorated by the caliber of the talent in the show. Every rehearsal was a beautifully fresh discovery into the words of Shakespeare. The number of laughs, surprises, and, ultimately, phenomenal reviews for the show proves that USI Theatre is an incredible force of emerging and rising talent.

What is the title of the current chapter in your life?

Oh, it’s definitely titled, “The Art of Stillness”. Curt Columbus, artistic director of Trinity Repertory Theatre, said that the hardest part about our current circumstance is the sheer amount of patience the universe is willing us to practice with ourselves and each other. I’m the type of person to just “go, go, go”, but I have the same amount of control over my future as everyone else and it’s humbling. I know my hard work and efforts haven’t been in vain, so I’m taking this time to reflect and to love myself in a way that prepares me for the opportunities and dreams that are right around the corner.

What nominations have you received and what awards have you won for your work?

The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival is a nationwide theatre competition for colleges across the eight different regions to recognize talent in performance, playwriting, technical theatre, and other related careers. I have been nominated for the Irene Ryan Scholarship competition twice in my four years, once for Hermia and previously for Ermina. I was able to advance to the semi-finalist round my sophomore year and it’s always been a blast to witness the incredible talent in our region. 

Another amazing opportunity is the National Playwriting Program, which chooses six 10-minute plays for hundreds of submissions to showcase at the festival. My play Hip Hop Heaven was one of the six chosen for the regional festival. The opportunity that’s impacted me the most is the ASPIRE program, started by Curt Columbus and Victoria Nolan, of the Yale School of Drama, to diversify the arts administration field by finding and recruiting emerging arts leaders. My first year I was an alternate and this year I was the chosen fellow of 8 across the nation. Already, I have learned so much from my cohort and am excited to meet them in person at the 2021 National Festival. Obviously, KCACTF is an incredible blessing and without the school’s support I would have never been able to experience such growth in my career over my collegiate career.

What is the most challenging part about acting? Writing plays?

The most challenging part of acting is getting out of your own head. Many people have the notion that acting is about “becoming someone else”, but I believe that the character is using the actor as a vessel of truth. Those characters become an embodiment of whoever the actor is, which makes it an incredibly personal experience. It’s hard to follow your gut and your instincts when humans have the tendency to doubt themselves but, to be the best vessel you can be, you have to trust yourself. The same goes for playwriting. I write a sentence and I can question it a thousand times, “Can I hear this being said on stage? Coming out of the lips of my favorite actor? Is it special enough to be on this page”, and the list continues. The most important part is honesty. Honesty is the place whence impulses spring, and if it’s true to the experiences of the characters, it will be true to others as well.

Jada, second from left, performing in Dog in the Manger

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

I was having a crisis once and I was so concerned about not getting into my dream schools, not being prepared to move to New York, and had just a general sense of doubt. Out of impulse, I ended up talking to Forest McClendon and he told me that if I was asking him these questions, someone I barely knew, then I already knew the answer. I know what I wanted, I was just too scared to go for it and he asked, “Do you really want another voice in your head to complicate things? What do you want?”.

That is the best advice I received which, theoretically, was none at all. Like I said, your gut is vital, and I wasn’t listening to it. I’ve followed my gut since then, and it’s not a panacea but it helps to never question if I’m the reason my dreams aren’t accomplished. I’m doing everything I can and the rest is up to factors that are out of my control–and God–which I can accept.

What are your plans for after graduation?

This period of stillness has allowed me to reflect on how much control I thought I had over my future. I didn’t get into those graduate programs, I haven’t heard back from some of those apprenticeships, and I’m probably not moving as fast as I would like. However, I’m still applying and I’m still sending positive energy out into the universe. That “yes” will echo back to me one day, and I’m so excited for it. In the meantime, I am working on my craft, starting my podcast, dancing, and learning everything I can about arts administration. This period of quarantine won’t be productive because I did the most but because I loved the most-my passions, my loved ones, and myself.

What inspired you to pursue this career?

Wow, theatre is everything to me. It’s the beating heart of humanity. It’s how we imprint how we feel and the circumstances of our generation through words and experiences that last forever. My heart was always in it, and I never said no, no matter how many people questioned the stability of the path or the financial risk, I always knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. 

Theatre is a reflection of the human condition in our current and past worlds, so naturally it is also inequitable. Women who look like me should be able to see themselves represented and existing in this medium with the fullness of truth, clarity, and boldness they deserve. My hope is to create a lineage of opportunity behind me, reaching back and helping others fill the gap that exists in our art form. It’s never been about me, nor will it ever me. I just hope the work I do in my life benefits a steady change that outlives us all.

If someone made a play or a movie about your life, what genre would it be? Drama? Romantic comedy? Science fiction? Something totally different?

It would definitely be a serio-comedy. My life is absolutely hilarious! I can’t believe some of the situations that I’ve been in, which is mostly due to my crazy imagination, silliness, and willingness to be free and unapologetic. It has its areas of intensity which have the power to still and humble us all, but its purpose is to be a celebration of life. The roses in between the crack, the streaming light in the darkness, and the burst of laughter in the deafening silence expose the idiosyncrasies and the beauty of living this life. So arm yourselves with tissue and aspirin because you’ll cry hysterically from both human relativity and glorious laughter.

Brandon Carrington

Class of 2020

Major: English, Emphasis in Creative Writing

Minor: History

Brandon Carrington has worked in the College of Liberal Arts front office for around three years. You may have seen him performing with the USI Choir in their annual Madrigal Feaste or on stage during President Rochon's Inauguration. When he isn't running games of Dungeons and Dragons for his roommates and friends, he is creating his own superheroes and crafting new worlds in stories of his own.

Our writer, Brandon Hartman, sat down with Brandon Carrington for a quick Q&A.

Dream job: Accomplished Author

Favorite color: Black

Hobbies: Writing, singing, and listening to music.

Something that makes you sad: Not being able to help other people

3 adjectives that best describe you: Creative, Friendly, Loud

Organizations: University of Southern Indiana Chamber Choir

Special talents: I can drop my voice octave to something much deeper.

How old would you have to live until you truly believed you were immortal? Long enough to see my future books published

Larissa Sobczak

Class of 2023

Majors: Global Studies and Sociology
Minor: Spanish Studies

Throughout my life, I partook in Polish customs; my mother’s side of the family is Polish, and my father’s side is Mexican. As a young girl, I remember seeing Pisankis (colored decorative eggs) placed in the living room during Easter time. For Easter we had polish sausage, sauerkraut, my grandmother’s homemade babka and lamb cake (don’t worry, it’s not actually made of lamb!) Christmas was a tad Americanized, but a few items we would have were pierogis, glazed ham, braised sauerkraut, and my grandmother’s delicious kolaczki (a melt in-your-mouth pastry that holds a jam or nut filling). Since I have always connected more with my Polish side, I knew I had to visit Poland once I could travel on my own.

My desire to travel abroad truly began after my first year at overnight-summer camp. I had counselors from around the world – countries such as England, Scotland, Australia and Spain. Throughout many years of attending summer camp, I had the opportunity to meet and befriend people across the globe. They would talk about their lives back home and it felt as if I was traveling through their stories. I would try to envision life abroad. This fueled my desire to travel around the world and, hopefully, experience what it was like to live in a foreign country. In the spring of 2019, I had the marvelous opportunity to make those dreams a reality: I studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain.

During my time in Spain, I studied within the Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA) Liberal Arts & Social Sciences program. All of my classes were held in one area: the CEA Barcelona Study Center, located on the Plaza Catalunya in the heart of the city. I took classes similar to the types of classes offered at USI; sociology classes, international studies classes, and an advanced Spanish language class. One of my sociology classes focused on immigration, race and identity in contemporary Spain. Another was called International Service Learning: Society, Inequality and Social Exclusion. This class focused on volunteering within the community throughout the semester. My International Journalism and Global Media class required us to write journal entries about the Syrian refugee crisis, Spanish writers, and current hot topics.

One class I was enrolled in, Communication and Global Competence, was taught by an American professor and became one of my favorite classes. Both Communication and Global Competence and International Service Learning became favorites because these classes required interaction with the community. Thanks to my coursework, I was able to engage with the local Catalonians and learn more about their culture and day-to-day life. I also enjoyed taking the metro and traveling to different cities across the coast of Spain in my spare time and on my three-day weekends. I even had the opportunity to fly to Ireland, Morocco, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Poland (of course!).

I was able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity thanks to the support of the wonderful Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and the USI Foundation. I am forever grateful for the Campbell’s generous donation that allowed me to experience my childhood dream of living abroad. In addition, I could not have been able to sort out all of the necessary paperwork without my study abroad advisor, Melissa Gonnerman. Melissa was always there whenever I was confused or stressed, making sure everything went smoothly. I would also like to thank my mother, friends, and USI faculty and staff for supporting my crazy, but wonderful adventure.  Their encouragement gave me the strength to make this trip happen.

You see, it takes courage to leave a familiar place where you don’t have to worry about language issues, where you automatically know the cultural customs, and you already how to get from point A to B. When I said “see you later” to USI, my friends, family, and the life I know here in Indiana, little did I know I would also say goodbye to the old Larissa. Because of my travels, I have become more independent, which I didn’t think was possible. I interacted with people from all over, I learned how to stay calm in sticky situations, and I saw just how beautiful the world can be.

Gabrielle Wy

From: Newburgh, IN

Class of 2019 | Majors: Journalism, Criminal Justice, and Psychology

Advice for fellow students: “Constantly look ahead. Plan each day and each week with purpose.”

Awards

• 2019 Trustees Distinguished Merit Award
• Distinguished Sophomore Award
• Distinguished Graduate Award
• Duffus Melvin Achievement Award in Criminal Justice
• Academic Achievement Award in Psychology
• Endeavor Award recipient

Presenting research at a professional academy may seem like a realm saved solely for professors but USI undergraduate student, Gabrielle Wy, is proof that younger academics can share that stage. Gabrielle joined USI Criminal Justice professors, Dr. Melinda Roberts and Dr. Martin Koen, on a panel at the 56th Annual Meeting for the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) in late March 2019. They, along with Bryce C. Newell of the University of Kentucky, presented their research from case studies on body-worn cameras.

Gabrielle was involved with the analysis of data from two studies under discussion at the conference, including one study in which she is first-author: Making Sense of Body-Worn Cameras: An In-Depth Examination of Special Units Across Two Agencies. She explains, “For this project, we were looking at perceptions of body cameras, specifically within special units. So, departments like K-9, SWAT, or undercover units that have officers in more specialized roles.” The data they used was collected through an interview process in which the officers shared their own experiences with body cameras. At the time of writing, only one other study had delved into special unit officers’ perceptions. With this new work by Gabrielle and Dr. Koen, researchers can start making comparisons between the data.

While criminal justice has become her new passion, Gabrielle did not start her college career in the Criminal Justice department. She came to USI after graduating from Castle High School in Newburgh, IN and began her college career as a Journalism student. For the first three years, she worked at USI’s student-run newspaper, The Shield. First as News Editor in her freshman year, Features Editor as a sophomore, and Editor-in-Chief in her junior year. Gabrielle initially had thoughts of becoming an investigative crime reporter which put her in classes with Dr. Koen. When he asked about her post-graduation plans after class one day, she admitted she was reconsidering. They were talking about her interests and other possible careers in criminal justice when Gabrielle brought up her love for school. “I have always loved learning. As a kid, I would get so mad when they would call snow days.” Thinking a career as a professor would satisfy that quest for knowledge, Gabrielle set her sights on getting a Ph.D. and becoming a professor. This new path led to Dr. Koen asking her to participate in his criminal justice research to help prepare her for graduate school.

At the same time, Gabrielle found that she was really enjoying her Psychology courses with Dr. Urska Dobersek, who happened to be looking for research assistants for her studies in sports psychology. Gabrielle collected and analyzed data in the psychology labs for two semesters as a part of Dr. Dobersek’s team, in addition to her criminal justice research. For both subjects, Gabrielle says, “So many areas within psychology and criminal justice haven’t been studied yet and I have so many research questions to ask.”

Now, as an Honors Program student with a triple-major in Journalism, Criminal Justice, and Psychology, Gabrielle is looking forward to continuing her education after graduation this spring. She applied to four graduate schools, three of which accepted her with a full-funding. She feels that the various research opportunities she had during her time at USI really helped her stand out to those schools. However, she remembers “figuring out how to sell myself was the hardest part. It was very nerve-wracking!” Luckily, she had support from her professors who encouraged her each step of the way. After lots of site visits and consideration, Gabrielle plans to attend the University of Maryland in the fall as a doctoral student.

Dr. Zachary Pilot

What memories do you have of being a first-generation college student? What challenged you and what surprised you?

Being a first-generation student is a part of your identity, so there aren’t any specific memories that stand out. My status and experiences as a first-generation student continue to affect me here and in ways that students can probably relate to. A lot of first-generation students have to navigate a novel context (school) where they feel a bit out of place, like they don’t belong, and maybe they should do what the rest of their family and loved ones do. My family was endlessly supportive and encouraging, but there are some things you can’t connect with your family about if they’ve never been there. I was learning about new worldviews, disciplines, and having cool experiences…but my family wasn’t always able to relate or understand. Eventually, you figure out how to talk about things in a way that they can relate to. In the meantime, you learn to value the support they provide and share some of your excitement and knowledge with them.

Some of my fondest memories are of findings other first gens and the relief I felt when someone else understood my experiences. Those friendships are still important to me and shape the way I talk about being a first gen in my classes, ultimately that we all have shared experiences, and there are first generation students all throughout USI.

What advice would you give to first-generation college students?

A lot of first gens feel out of place and so may feel deferential or passive about their college experience. They may feel pulled to obligations at home or work, which is totally understandable. However, my advice is to own your college experience. If you don’t have family members who can relate or help you answer questions about your future or discipline, you have to seek them out. You must go to office hours, participate in research labs, get involved in the campus community because you’ve got to build a support system that understands your present and future aspirations. If it weren’t for my undergrad mentor, who I did research with for 3 years, I would not have gone to graduate school….I wouldn’t have known how or what to do. Who else would I have asked? No one in my family had gone to undergrad let alone graduate school. But because I wasn’t afraid of my ignorance, and I put myself in situations where I could learn and build relationships, I was accepted to a PhD program which ultimately brought me here.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I chose psychology because I thought I wanted to be a clinical psychologist. I liked helping people out with their problems and frankly I didn’t know any other kind of psychology existed until undergrad. I did an internship the summer of my senior year at an inpatient behavioral health unit at a local hospital and found that line of work was not for me. I sat down with my advisor and reflected on the kinds of things I enjoyed doing; I was a tutor for lots of different classes, a drop-in writing tutor, I volunteered helping children learn karate back home (which I had been doing for years), and I loved learning. I had lots of questions and enjoyed talking about the answers, being a college professor was one way to mesh a lot of those interests.

How do you spend your time away from USI?

When I first read this question, it was a bit jarring. The pandemic has made leisure time seem distant, but when I’m not working, I do several things. I do normal stuff, I love reading books (mostly fiction, sci-fi, thriller, fantasy), watching shows/movies, and playing videogames. Perhaps more uniquely, like I said I did martial arts for decades and when I can I like to practice that. I’ve also done musical theater quite a bit in the past, I like going to support local theater and shows at USI, but in the future, I’d like to get on stage again as the pandemic hopefully fades. Lastly, my whole family is back in Pennsylvania. I grew up in the laurel highlands, a very wooded area in PA, and so I go back home whenever I can to see my family and spend some time in nature.

What is your favorite quote?

When I was in high school, I read a lot of George Carlin and this is one of my favorites. “There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.” I just like the imagery the quote evokes, but it could also be interpreted as the difference between what we may say or show overtly compared to our inner monologues/internal states and things like that.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I would pick teleportation, kind of like what Nightcrawler used.

What is one thing you wish you had learned sooner in life?

School, work, one’s occupation and the tasks that come along with it are just one tiny part of life. Work will continue to ask more of you, and you have to be the one to set boundaries and allow yourself to do other fulfilling things.