Meet the students of "The College Tour"

Hold on to your tail feathers! The College Tour episode featuring our University of Southern Indiana is set to premiere on campus in the Screaming Eagles Arena on Wednesday, February 16, ahead of the national release, and students, employees, retirees, USI supporters and everyone in the USI community are invited to come to this exclusive first-look at the 30-minute episode as well as meet student cast members and host Alex Boylan.

Filmed on campus in November 2021, The College Tour is a series created to empower students to virtually travel across America for an inside look at colleges and universities. USI's episode will reach up to 200 million potential viewers via Amazon Prime Video and a variety of streaming platforms when it is released later in Spring 2022.

This episode showcases a variety of areas at USI-from academic programs and student organizations to housing and residence life and the culture of our campus. Sharing their stories and guiding viewers on this tour are 10 students all with unique  USI stories. Meet these Screagles-all hailing from different academic programs and hometowns across Indiana, the country and the world-who are representing our University in The College Tour!

Reminder: All USI students and employees are invited to The College Tour Premiere and the President's Office encourages departments to consider closing offices at 2:45 p.m. to allow employees to attend. The event begins at 3 p.m. Wednesday, February 16 in the Screaming Eagles Arena. The College Tour host, Alex Boylan, along with the students starring in the episode, will be in attendance to share their experiences. Here's a sneak peek at our student cast:

Tyler Henry '22, Business Administration major, Brooklyn, New York

For Tyler, being a part of USI's The College Tour episode was all about representing the University and the foundation it stands for. He took it as an opportunity to be a part of the face of the campus community while sharing his experience in student life, both on and off the basketball court.

"This is a campus that represents equality and academic excellence. I think  it was just great that I had the chance to be one of the representations," he said.

Tori Beasley '22, Respiratory Therapy major, Fort Wayne, Indiana

There's a lot that comes with being a university student-add in a full-time job and a family, and it becomes an entirely different experience for adult learners. Tori knew the challenges would be many, but she shares how USI's support for adult learners and the online program options have helped her succeed in furthering her education.

"I was so excited to be a part of this. To hear multiple people recommended  I be a part of representing USI, that was pretty fantastic," she said.

Perci Hale '22, Theatre major with a minor in French and Africana Studies, Montgomery, Alabama

A star on the stage, Perci found she not only could express herself in theater at USI but also learn more about diverse cultures and arts through programs engrained on our campus. With her appearance in The College Tour, she was able to represent USI as well as get first-hand experience in film which she found to be an incredible opportunity.

"Like our motto, 'Knowledge for life,' there is so much I knew, but I got to learn even more  by experiencing filming the episode and getting to hear my other cohorts' stories about their experiences at USI," she says. "You can really see that USI has something to give everyone."

Kaylee Johnson M'22, Master of Arts in Communication Program, Evansville, Indiana

Kaylee has experience cheering on USI, both athletically and academically. A former member of the cheer squad as an undergraduate student in 2020, and now obtaining her master's degree from the University, she has always been quick to show her Screagle Pride-and sharing it with The College Tour crew and audiences was a special moment in her journey.

"I'm very excited to represent the University in a wider sense and on a larger platform," she says.

Josi Barscz '22, Biochemistry major, Huntington, Indiana

USI works to give students the chance to experience memorable and transformative opportunities through academic and civic programs. Josi saw these opportunities as a chance to shape her future as a servant leader and can't wait to share that message through The College Tour.

"I've had a lot of amazing experiences through USI and I'm so grateful to be able to share them. I have so much love for this University and everything  it's given me; I want other people to see it," she says.

Elissa Tam '22, Biology major with a minor in World Languages and Culture, Fishers, Indiana

At the top of many hopeful college students' lists is academics; the reputation and options carry a lot of weight in a decision on where to attend. Elissa found the boxes on her checklist marked at USI, including finding support through her professors and instructors. It's these aspects of the University she can't wait to share with viewers.

"It was so fun and the whole process-from writing the script and editing it with my professor to filming-was super amazing and unique," she says.

Diego Castillo '21, Mechanical Engineering major, Maracaibo, Venezuela

Where students live, eat and hang out with their friends and classmates are a big part of our University's story-and as a former Resident Assistant in Housing and Residence Life, Diego was ready to share how fun and special the student experience is at USI. His appreciation for the University is something he is ready to show off at all times.

"Since I got here, USI has been very welcoming, and they have done so much for me so I always want to give back. It's been an honor to represent USI," he says.

David Bradley '22, Accounting major, New Haven, Illinois

The University of Southern Indiana has a history and story as unique as each individual who arrives on campus. When presented with the opportunity to not only share his USI experience, but the history of the University to a wider audience, David was excited to step up and lend his voice to The College Tour episode.

"Being able to be  part of USI's history in this way is cool and such an honor. I definitely wanted to be a part of helping attract students to USI," he says.

Blake Whitehouse '22, Theatre Arts major, Boonville, Indiana

Second chances can open more doors than students may think-and no one knows that better than Blake. He took the second chance given to him by the University and worked hard not only academically but finding his place in the USI community. It's a story he's proud to share in The College Tour.

"I walked away from the experience with a sense of accomplishment as I got to represent something that's been a huge part of my life in a positive manner," he says.

Cole Stephenson '22, Economics and Philosophy double major, Mitchell, Indiana

Transitioning to a college environment can be difficult for new students-as a first-generation college student, Cole was able to find his wings through the different organizations and clubs on campus. Finding friends and a sense of belonging through USI's courses and student clubs made him feel more at home.

"I found a really good community when I joined the Table Top Club, and when I became president of the club, I wanted to instill that same welcoming attitude that I received," he says.