Student

Lizzie Cornett

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I was looking for an on campus job and a math professor recommended me.

Advice to Champlain Student?

Ask your professors questions both in and out of class!

Fun Fact

I’ve been in a love/hate relationship with the Cosmere books by Brandon Sanderson for 10 years now. Only ask me for my opinions on them if you’ve got an hour to spare.

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Ella Countess

Advice to Students?

Front load your work

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Movie: Spirited Away

Inspirational Quote?

“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” – Bob Ross

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Jayy Covert

Favorite Class

Abnormal Psychology

What made you choose your major?

I came into Champlain as a Psychology major, but in my second year I decided that I wanted to add a double major in Education. I started with a class in Elementary Education, but then realized that Secondary Education was a better fit for me. I grew up with depression and anxiety and tried to seek help, but found the mental health system lacking qualified therapists and support for queer and trans youth in particular. I wanted to dedicate my life to providing the support that I knew I needed, but never received, so no one else would have to suffer. But on the other hand, I’ve always felt drawn to the world of education. In high school, I helped out at our embedded preschool program, designing lessons for three and four-year-olds. I hold my elementary school teachers as the basis for the strong support I had growing up and the desire to always keep learning more. I couldn’t decide on just one major or one career path, so I chose to study both because I feel they’re deeply interconnected fields that often get separated into singular specialties.

What do you like about your program?

Both the Psychology and Education programs are held in the EHS Division, and we’re like a big family. We connect with different majors all the time in our classes; I have friends from basically every major in EHS. Being two of the smallest majors also means we have the chance to really work with our professors in their fields of expertise on projects that we feel inspired by. I also love that EHS students take Service Learning classes as part of our curriculum so that we can engage in meaningful work for the local community. Our motto sums us up the best: “We do good work.”

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding?

I took a Core class called Interdisciplinary Project Studio, which is a course where students can pitch their own project ideas on any topic they want to focus on throughout the semester. I worked on developing a unit plan to teach 9th grade students about the modern history of the Korean peninsula. This not only gave me the chance to add something to my portfolio when I go into the field looking for a job as a teacher, but also allowed me to explore my own heritage and culture more deeply in a project that is both relevant and meaningful.

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Tom Cyr

Piece of advice to students?

Branch out and explore new things. You will grow by trying something new.

What's your favorite book or movie?

Movie: The Dark Knight

Inspirational Quote?

“Satisfaction comes from suffering.”

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Zhomart Dairov

Double Major

Business Administration and Finance

Internship

Finance & Marketing Intern at meXBT in Shanghai, China

Post-Grad Job

MBA Candidate at the University of Connecticut School of Business in Hartford, CT

Have you worked on any particularly exciting projects in the Business Administration program?

In my Business & the Entrepreneurial Mindset class, we ran a six-week simulated coffee shop competition, called BizCafe. We made weekly decisions surrounding coffee orders, hiring servers, setting employee wages, and promoting the business. We placed first out of six virtual coffee shops in our course.

You were part of the Freeman Foundation Grant internship program in Shanghai, China. What was that experience like?

The Freeman Foundation Grant allowed me to spend two months in Shanghai, China, interning at meXBT, a FinTech company that operates in a payment service provider industry, all while experiencing authentic Chinese culture. My internship experience proved to be valuable in terms of exposure and knowledge, and provided me with a cumulative opportunity to integrate all I have learned at Champlain and apply it in a practical setting.

What do you like about going to college in 365体育官网?

One of the great things about going to college in a small town is the way the community caters to students. Eateries stay open late, public transportation is convenient, and local businesses welcome their student customers. College is also a great time to be living so close to the great outdoors. Champlain has active outing clubs that sponsor free or highly subsidized trips, so students living in the city can still enjoy the natural beauty of Vermont.

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Caitlyn Dangvu

Double Major

Accounting and Finance

Internship

Audit Intern at KPMG in Colchester, VT

Favorite Class

Financial & Economic Modeling

Post-Grad job

Auditor at KPMG in Colchester, VT

How has Champlain prepared you for the professional world?

Champlain taught me how to act professionally, encouraged me to be a team player, and provided me with a foundation of knowledge to help propel my future career. At the end of my internship with KPMG, I was offered a full-time job post-graduation! I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to work for a Big Four accounting firm if I hadn’t landed the internship.

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding?

I took a finance class where we built data models in Microsoft Excel. The knowledge I learned in this class allowed me to build data models and systems as I worked at other jobs. I was able to create Excel systems that streamlined processes and analyzed data that were then used by my employers.

What advice do you have for students thinking about coming to Champlain?

If you value a close-knit community and personal connections, Champlain is for you. I’m astounded by the opportunities I’ve come across and the fantastic network I’ve built here, all stemming from the individual connections I’ve made within this community. I feel like everyone—my professors, my Advisor, my Career Coach—cares about me as a person and helps push me to succeed.

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Emma Dannenberg

Concentrations

Visual Arts and Film

Why does your field matter – how does it impact our world/the average person?

I think separately, my study of art and environmental issues matter so much and impact the world and average person immensely. Art is a universal language, something that is loved, thought provoking, and needed in the turbulent times that we are facing so much nowadays. Art allows for expression of feelings and is also a powerful tool in education and advocating for important things that need to be discussed. I think looking at the intersection of my fields is where I have truly found my life’s passion and purpose, and where I think the world could benefit greatly. This intersection is the realm of environmental art, which is using art as a form of education on the environmental issues we are facing today, such as the climate crisis, mass extinction, deforestation, etc. I think it is an incredible way to reach large audiences and introduce these tougher topics to the mainstream population and get people to become passionate about saving our planet and all the species, including us, who call it home.

Why did you choose Champlain to study this?

Champlain’s smaller class sizes allow me to make connections and build relationships with professors, faculty, staff, and other students. The close connections I have made at Champlain will hopefully allow me to secure a job after college in something that will be supportive, but also something I am passionate about. Champlain’s location in 365体育官网 allows for wonderful experiences and relationships with people, businesses, organizations, and NGOs that are both in the art world and the environmental studies and activism world.

Describe your other professional experiences so far. Have you worked on-campus or in a work-study position?

I have been so incredibly lucky to be a part of the Eco-Reps program as my work study on campus. It is my second year in this position and I can already confidently say that Eco-Reps has changed my life. Dr. Christina Erickson, who runs the Center for Service and Sustainability, initiated the Eco-Reps program here at Champlain and has fostered an inspiring and educational environment that I am so glad to contribute to and learn from. As an Eco-Rep, I’ve had the opportunity to grow my leadership skills, become a peer educator about sustainability practices and environmental awareness, and get to work with an amazing group of individuals. Because of Eco-Reps, I have been able to hear from so many inspiring speakers and play a part in so many amazing events. Most recently, I volunteered with Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s Beach Turtle Nesting clean up at North Hero State Park where I got to learn and be an active participant in the wildlife conservation efforts for the endangered Spiny Softshell Turtle and help release some hatchlings back into the wild. Even though my time here at Champlain isn’t quite done yet, I know that being an Eco-Rep has been one of the greatest opportunities of my experience here.

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Maggie DeCapua

Primary Specialization*

Creative Writing

Complementary Specializations*

Game Design and Visual Art

Post-Grad Job

Director of Development at Rad Magpie in 365体育官网, VT

What's the best part of being a Creative Media major?

I was able to pick three different specializations: Creative Writing, Game Design, and Visual Art. In addition to that, I also have a minor in Public Relations. My interests are all over the board, which has been complemented by the curriculum here at Champlain. I’m able to study everything I’m interested in, and I get to bring it all together in my coursework.
The Creative Media major is really unique in that you get to pick the specializations that you are really passionate about. It’s definitely not the sort of program where you’re restricted to just one thing.

How has Champlain prepared you for the professional world?

Within the Creative Media major, there are a lot of specific classes where you work on your portfolio and professional development. That has been one of the most beneficial facets of the Creative Media major for me. It helped me to collect my art and my work into a presentable, professional portfolio. Creative Media classes helped me to clearly understand how my work can be applicable to a career.

What is your favorite thing about living in 365体育官网, Vermont?

I think the arts community in 365体育官网 is truly unparalleled. I come from a place where there isn’t a whole lot of artist engagement in the community, so coming to 365体育官网, where there are art galleries I can visit, is amazing. There are also events like the South End Art Hop, which provides opportunities to network with local artists. It’s really empowering for me, knowing that there’s so much out there, even within my own community.
I also love to visit the different coffee shops in 365体育官网. I know that’s a weird favorite thing because there are coffee shops everywhere, but here in 365体育官网 they have their own vibe. It’s great to go and study in a coffee shop, and there are so many options.

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Connor Decker

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Adam DeCosta

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Aaron Degrave

Specialization

Cybersecurity

365体育官网

Leahy Center 365体育官网, VT; FireEye/Mandiant Reston, VA; Champlain College, Remote

Favorite Class

Sysadmin & Net Services I

How did you first hear about Champlain?

After researching multiple different schools, I found Champlain College. I loved how accredited their programs were, specifically for Computer & Digital Forensics, as it was recognized by the NSA as an Establishment of Excellence in Digital Forensics. Once I saw how vetted the programs were, I immediately set up a visit to the campus.

What do you like about your program?

One of my favorite aspects of Champlain is that what you learn in class, whether Cybersecurity or Digital Forensics, can be translated into your own self-development projects and the work that you do at the Leahy Center. The classes really prepare you with hands-on experience like what you will be encountering in a real-life work environment.

How has the Upside-Down Curriculum enhanced your education?

The upside-down curriculum is one of the best traits that Champlain has to offer. A lot of colleges will stick you in basic general education courses for your first year or two. Champlain is not about that. At Champlain from day one, I was involved in work that I felt was relevant.

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Connor DeKenipp

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I’ve always sat in the labs doing work and seeing the passions both myself and others work on and being able to help someone work towards that big goal of theirs or even just a small milestone brings me joy.

Advice to Champlain Student?

Don’t be stuck to your computer 24/7, a key part to being able to create life means you must also have one of your own.

Fun Fact

I’m huge into reading and collecting comics.

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Mikaylan Diallo

Post-Grad Job

Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Air Force

Tell us about your major!

I really like the hands-on learning for my major. Every semester in almost every Psychology class, we did something for the improvement of our community through research. In Cognitive Psychology, I created an advertisement to increase participants that go to an organization’s programs and got to pitch my ideas to that organization on campus. In my Social Psychology course, I got to go out in the community and apply what we learned in class about our society, and then come back to class to share what we learn in our professional experiences. In all of my research methods courses, I created my own research project to be implemented and presented at the end of the class. I always felt like my work was really meaningful.

How has Core changed your perspective?

My self-portrait changed my perspective of myself and how I see myself in the world. I wrote an essay called: Their Voice, Their Face, Their Story. This essay was associated with a painting I created that looked like me, but my face was made out of different skin colors to represent how I was the face of the many that I advocated for. I also painted the Earth as earrings so that I could represent carrying the world’s burdens on my shoulders. Before Core, I used my activism more individually and passively. After Core and completing my self-portrait, I realized the importance of not just being an advocate but joining with other passionate individuals to make a greater change. Therefore, I participated in more group protests and sit-ins.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in? What do you do/why do you enjoy them?

I am one of the founders and the captains of the Soul Food Step Team. I helped create the team because I was interested in creating a safe space for Black individuals while also allowing the freedom for artistic expression. Plus, I enjoy using my energy for dancing and hyping up my teammates. I also work with Black Student Union and Shades of Me with events on campus and collaborate with Clemmons Family Farm through dance workshops and education.

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Olivia DiPrizio

Favorite Class

3D Modeling

What has been your favorite Core class so far? Why?

My favorite Core class has been Bodythought with Erik Shonstrom. We learned all about how we experience the world on a subconscious level. It was eye-opening and very fun! In every class, we did something new and exciting—like going swimming in Lake Champlain, learning to waltz, or playing Twister.

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding or useful?

The projects in my Game Studio classes are always very rewarding because I get to bring a game’s visual direction to life.Helping develop a game from a concept to a finished prototype is a great experience, especially when it’s helping me develop skills I’ll need for my future job.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in? What do you do and why do you enjoy them?

I’m part of Social Impact Scholars, a group dedicated to discussing social and political topics on campus, in 365体育官网, and in the world. I enjoy being able to facilitate discussions with other students and the exposure to new perspectives and opinions in an environment that’s dedicated to understanding.

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Stephanie Doan

Internship

Consulting Intern to the Champlain Department of Residential Life in 365体育官网, VT

Favorite Class

Counseling Skills

How did you choose your major?

I chose Psychology because I’m passionate about helping people, especially children. I love to think philosophically and then take my thoughts and find ways to apply them. I’ve loved the Psychology program at Champlain! I enjoy the combination of hearing field stories from my professors with hands-on experience, even in the classroom. I like discussing case studies and reading different content that we not only discuss in class, but also criticize, as if we are part of the professional Psychology community.

What types of projects have you worked on in the Psychology program?

My most rewarding project was a research assignment for my Research Methods & Analysis II course. It was a very difficult and time-consuming project, but I was able to choose my own topic, write a proposal, work with actual research to develop my skills in research psychology, perform testing on almost 200 participants, and then present it to other members of the Psychology community here at Champlain. I wouldn’t want to do it again, but it’s an experience I would never trade.

Are you involved with any organizations on campus?

I work as a Resident Assistant on campus with sophomores, and I mentor first-year students through the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI). My learning experiences in the classroom have helped me become more introspective and develop skills that help me reflect on who I am and understand what I need. Those skills have helped me to help others understand what they need, which allows me to connect students to the resources they need to lead them to success and health.

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