Student Stories:

All of our approximately 5,000 students have a story. These stores include challenges and triumphs as they move through University College onto their chosen majors.

Space does not permit us to share all of our students’ stories, so we have chosen just a few. Take a few moments to meet some of the students in University College.

Josh Briggs

When I came to Wright State I had every intention of acquiring an engineering degree.  I went through the program and was not doing well at all.  I kept failing classes and felt like I was not moving along.  I spent 4 years in this state of mind.  One day I was sent a letter from Wright State saying that I was being transferred to an advisor in University College that would help me get back on track (I have to say the best letter that I had ever received).  I met with Lillian Johnson; her job was to take students like me that were stuck in University College and find what the problem is and suggest a route to move forward and graduate.  Lillian and I hit it off right away and she took me under her wing. She asked a lot of questions and gave me the guidance I had been looking for to move on.  She helped me realize that I liked working with people a lot more than I liked working with numbers and suggested that while I was finishing up some of the engineering course work that I take some Organizational Leadership classes.  I have to say it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.  After taking one class I realized that she was right and from that point things started to turn around for me.  I was getting A’s in my classes, loved what I was doing, and didn’t even feel like I was going to school.  Lillian continued to follow me through the end of my education and extending into my professional career.  She is probably one the biggest reasons that I am in the position in life that I am in.  I am now working for one of the largest sales organizations in the world and doing very well; without University College and Lillian Johnson I would never have had this opportunity. Without the guidance that I had from Lillian I probably never would have graduated and would have ended up failing out of school trying to obtain a degree that I would not have enjoyed even if I had passed.

The experience has helped me in a lot of ways. First, by going through the struggle that I had gone through I now have a great work ethic and feel like I am able to take on the world.  I also believe that by having University College care so much about my success as a person and as a student that I was able to overachieve even what I thought I could do.  The people in University College are some of the best in the industry in my eyes. They helped guide me down the right path with my education and career.  I would never have thought of going into Organizational Leadership without them and I have them to thank. 

If I had one thing to say to fellow students it would be to really get into your heart about what you want to do with your life.  I understand that everyone is concerned about how much money they are going to make out of college and they just want to get those big checks.  I have one thing to add: if you work hard, get guidance from the people that know what you are capable of, and take the time to look down deep in your heart you will find it.  The other thing is it will make your experience at Wright State so much better because you will finally be interested in your studies and you will feel like your stay at Wright State was cut short.  I do, and I can’t wait to come back for my MBA.

The services are there; it’s up to you to reach out for them.  These people are some of the best in the industry and can help you in college or after your graduate. 

The services at University College are far superior to any other university you will find and the tenure and the expertise will get you where you need to go.  Don’t be scared to use them; they are only there to help YOU.

Return To Top →

Heather Casto

In the LC class, I felt more at ease to ask questions about campus and every day college life.As a new student, I was able to easily make friends in my LC. The next quarter a few of us even went on to take more classes together! I would never have been able to feel so comfortable at Wright State as a new student without the help of my LC. Plus I know I did better in my classes because of the study groups I was able to form and my new found confidence as a college student.

Later as an undergraduate student, I was able to teach my own Learning Communities course. It was so rewarding to be able to help new students adjust to college the way I had been helped.  This teaching experience ultimately led to me going into the field of higher education so I could continue helping new students.

I recommend LCs to all new students!  It is a fun and easy way to make new friends, learn about the necessities of college life, and achieve academic success.  The transition from high school to college is more intense than you might think.

Return To Top →

Autumn Conde

I started Wright State University in the Developmental Mathematics program. I was a poor and unmotivated student in high school. I graduated from Centerville High School with a grade point average that was below a 2.00 GPA.

The Developmental Mathematics staff helped me overcome my fear of math and develop the math skills necessary to pursue a career as a Family Practice physician. I am now a physician in my first year of a Family Practice Residency program at Miami Valley Hospital. I thank the Developmental Math staff for their important work in helping each individual student achieve his or her dream.

Return To Top →

Holly Jackson

During my freshman year, I was placed into a UH 101 course  for education majors. It was a really great experience for me since I was new and didn’t know anyone. Then, I started teaching a UVC 101 for education majors in my junior year. During the fall, my class and I went outside of our normal classroom setting and did several events, including reading with second graders at a local elementary school. Going into a school setting was a great way for my class to go out and work with students on their own.
During my sophomore year at Wright State I began working in the University Writing Center. Throughout the time I’ve worked at the UWC, I’ve worked with people with many different experiences, from all over the world. I have been working there for over two years now and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences. I am always excited, after working with students for most of the quarter, to see the obvious improvements as they feel more confident about their writing.

These experiences have been really beneficial to me in that I’ve realized that what I really want to do is teach at a collegiate level. I changed my major from education to English and I intend on becoming an English professor and working with more students in the future. I’ve learned so much by working with different students on campus, and what I really want to do is continue helping them succeed along their academic journey.

My advice to anyone is to not be afraid to get out there and try something new. When I started at Wright State, I had only lived in Ohio for about a month and I didn’t know anyone. Now, through the Writing Center, UVC program, and just hanging out around campus, I’ve made some of the best friends I’ll ever have. Sometimes plans change, but no matter what, stick with your dreams and goals and you’ll get to where you want to be.

Return To Top →

Keturah McNeary

I attended high school in Indiana. When I started at Wright State, I participated in two days of orientation. The next year, I was a peer leader in the First Weekend program. The First Weekend program helps students adjust by helping them to learn independence and to experience the campus through their own eyes, not their parents’ eyes. They are guided on how to be in charge of their own choices. As an Orientation Leader, I was able to guide incoming students and their parents, helping them make a smooth transition both academically and socially to Wright State. 

University College also gave me the opportunity to become a First Weekend Peer-Leader, assisting in First Weekend events, as well as a UVC 101 Peer-Instructor; teaching an 11-week course for a class size of 25 new students.  

Each of these experiences, becoming an Orientation S.O.A.R., First Weekend Peer-Leader, and UVC 101 Instructor, has taught me that anything is possible.  University College opened my eyes to exploring new opportunities in regards to my academic career as-well-as all future successes in the field of Higher Education. 

When I reached a financial slump, I withdrew from school for a time and worked at a mall. I saw this as a temporary situation and fully planned to return to school. When people asked me what I did, I would say, “I work at the mall and I go to Wright State,” even though I wasn’t currently enrolled.

I had a child when I returned. I was a full time student and a full time mother. It was challenge to balance motherhood, work, and school. Some days it seemed that there were just not enough hours in the day.

When I returned, I relied on the advisors in University College to help me figure out what I was going to do with my life and how I was going to finish college.
University College advisors are friendly and helpful. One of the advisors was particularly helpful at a discouraging point in my school experience when I felt I was just taking many classes and not going anywhere. Even though she was not officially assigned to me, she helped me make out my schedule and see how I could finish college in a reasonable amount of time. I had changed my major 5 times when an advisor helped me identify a major in organizational leadership that worked for me. I have graduated and am now working on my master’s degree.

Offering support and encouragement, there is no academic goal unattainable with the help of WSU’s University College Academic Advisors and staff.  They are always available to assist any student efficiently and effectively.

As a University College student, take advantage of all the department has to offer.  Always remember that first and foremost, University College is here for you and even after you move on to new heights, you will forever be a part of the University College family! 

Return To Top →

Leonda Metsker

My experience with the UVC 101 class was amazing.  While I did not get to experience the class as a student, I have had the wonderful opportunity of getting to teach the class.  The fall of 09 will be my third year teaching a UVC101 class.  Not only did I get to help a class of twenty-five students adjust to college, make friends, and get involved; I also learned a lot from teaching the class.  I learned new things about the university I did not know, I made new friends (I still talk to some of my students regularly), I got to have hands on experience with teaching, and I learned better leadership skills.  I plan on applying to teach a UVC 101 class every year I am still at WSU.

Some students learn better by putting their noses to the books.  Others learn better if a class is interesting and captures their attention.  In my opinion, the UVC 101 class package both learning styles and present them in a way that is anything  similar to the “lectures” you received in high school about college and academics.  I think almost anyone would enjoy a UVC 101 class.

During my first year at WSU, I had no o ne to talk to and had no idea where to start making friends.  Once I got involved on campus, it all snow balled from there.  Now, I am very well known on campus, and I know a lot of people.  A UVC 101 class can help you get involved on campus, get informed about important information you should know, all while helping you keep on track academically in your classes.

Return To Top →

Yolanda Reed

We learned the hard way that every college is not the “right fit.” After a poor experience at another school, we were not very optimistic about the potential of our child attending another school far away from home when we met with a representative from the University College of Wright State University.  However, she took time from her schedule to give us the full picture of a college experience at Wright State University. THANK YOU! Her warm, confident spirit was calming and reassuring. It is refreshing to find people who are working in their purpose and not just at a job. On our trip back to Illinois we all agreed that more institutions need her as the first point of contact for parents when they are considering sending their child to college.

Return To Top →

Jared Shank

I was in the service for 4 years. When I came out of the army, I was able to use my GI benefits to attend school. My University College advisor assisted me with my transition from the military to college.

When I took the placement tests, I took the English test online, which was very convenient. I took the math test in a computer lab, and found that to be a very smooth operation.

Coming out of the military, I appreciated the organized way my advisor outlined what I needed to take. He set up everything I needed in a timely manner. After meeting with him for two sessions, I used the Advisor on Call service and I really like it also. The advisor I used there was very helpful, facilitated by the information I had already gained from my first advisor.

I toured the campus during orientation and it was very beneficial.

I went from University College into the College of Liberal Arts.

Return To Top →

Kevin Stewart

Transitioning from high school to a university meant one thing for me, freedom. With unbinding rules, no parents, my life would be entirely in my hands. Sounded like the life. This was my train of thought freshmen year. As a junior here at Wright State University, I have become more wise and less naïve, transforming into an adult.

Just because eight hours aren’t spent in a single building doesn’t mean that those eight hours will not need to be spent in an academic setting. With no teachers hounding you for homework or giving out detentions for miscellaneous reasons, there is no one to hold your hand. 16 credit hours requires a lot of studying. With that being said, for every four credit hours taken there should be two hours of studying per week. Some don’t realize this until it is too late, many in fact. Some college students can make those eight hours seem like four.

One thing I have learned is “there is no dumb question.” Use the resources that are around you at all times. There are some classes that are not going to be hard but take a lot of time. There are other classes that take time and are hard simultaneously. There are also easy classes, but they too, consist of effort.  The tools are available through the Student Academic Success Center and the academic advisors to make things more accessible.  The hard part is taking the time to put in the work.  Take the time to get a tutor even if you don’t think you need one; they are tools to help you make the grade. In doing so, the classes will flow easier and with guidance of the advisors your next graduation day will be sooner than you think. 

Return To Top →