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UG Research, they say, changes career trajectories. However, the challenge for most undergraduates is knowing where to start. 

This is precisely where Studio Lab comes in. 

Prof. Sarah Sokhey started the Studio Lab in the Political Science department to train students to do their first research project.

Prof. Sarah Sokhey joins us on our podcast to talk about the Studio Lab, How it is Helping Students Get Started with Research, Scaling Studio Lab, Success Stories, and finally the Advice for high schoolers.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Dr. Sarah Wilson Sokhey is Assoc. Professor of Political Science & Studio Lab Director at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Dr. Sokhey earned her PhD in Political Science from Ohio State University.

Memorable Quote: “So I did it [Studio Lab] in large part because I was inspired by the fact that there seem to be a lot of students who are interested in connecting with faculty, and doing research and collaborating on research. But they didn't know where to get started. And they didn't know about some of the existing opportunities we have.” Prof. Sarah Sokhey.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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In High School, Hana was into Science. Especially Biology. She also felt an affinity for engineering, because her dad is an engineer.

Interestingly, an English Teacher introduced her to Bioengineering, as part of a writing assignment. And so when time came for college, she was looking to major in Bioengineering.

Hana joins our podcast to share her undergraduate honors college journey at SDSU, her UG Research experiences, the Pfizer Internship, Playing Club Tennis, and Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Hana Julazadeh is graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with an Emphasis on Bioengineering from San Diego State University Weber Honors College.

Memorable Quote: “So I think because this experience [internship] went so well for me, and it was so completely outside of what I saw for myself, it really taught me that you know, any experience is a good experience and you never know what could end up inspiring you or telling you that you really enjoy something, if you don't try it!”. Hana Julazadeh.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences, UG Research

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Making sense of the College News of the week, curated by Alma Matters. Shveta Bagade, College Counselor gives us her take on the news.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Shveta Bagade, College Counselor based in Silicon Valley California.

Resources referred to in this episode:

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In college, Elisa was a student ambassador who gave campus tours and was an orientation guide. After college, she joined college admissions at her alma mater, the University of Kansas, and worked there for more than a decade!

For the last 4 years, Elisa has been the Director of Counseling at Regis Jesuit High School.

On our podcast, Elisa talks about her background, about Regis Jesuit High School, her Counseling approach and challenges, managing expectations, and her advice for high school students.

In particular, we discuss the following with her: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Elisa Krapcha is the Director of College Counseling at Regis Jesuit High School, Colorado.

Memorable Quote: “And then from the emotional side, I think the challenges sometimes I see our students put this expectation on themselves to be able to find like, the perfect fit and like the glass slipper and know that when they step foot on somewhere, or they read a certain brochure that it's gonna be like, Oh, this is it!” Elisa Krapcha.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Recommended Episodes: College Experiences

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In High School, Isaac loved Chemistry and the Environment. He was heavily into performing arts and music. He did Opera with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He was the President of his senior year class in the Student Government.

Isaac joins our podcast to share his undergraduate college journey at the University of Cincinnati, his UG Research & Co-op experiences, Being Student Body President, Majoring in Environmental Engineering, and Advice for college-bound students.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Isaac Smitherman, who is graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and Legal Study Certificate at the University of Cincinnati.

Memorable Quote: “There's more to take away from a class than just like, the vocabulary and the equations. Like there's, there's a larger picture here that I should be striving for.” Isaac Smitherman.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Similar Episodes: College Experiences , UG Research

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Colleges are expensive. So students going to college should have a clear idea of What College Success is and How to achieve it.

We are fortunate to have Dean Graeme Harper of Oakland University Honors College to guide us through this conversation.

In this Podcast, Dean Harper tells us How Students Should Think of Success, Your College Ingredients, Taking Advantage of College Resources, and finally Measuring Your Progress towards Success.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Professor Graeme Harper is the Dean of the Oakland University Honors College, Rochester, Michigan. Dean Harper received the Bachelor of Arts degrees in History, English, Economic History from the University of Sydney. He then earned his Master of Letters from the University of New England (AU), PhD in Creative Arts from University of Technology Sydney. Dean Harper also received a PhD in from the School of English and American Studies from the University of East Anglia (UK). 

Memorable Quote: “Student success is a buzz term at the moment. It's out there a lot. You'll hear a lot of people use it, you know. I would encourage families and students to question when somebody says, Oh, we really want students to be successful. Ask the question like we've done today - What do you mean by that? ” Dean Harper.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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Adam was really interested in STEM while in high school. He loved tutoring and mentoring other students. At that time, he was really into dentistry.

He entered college as Pre-Dental. But soon, the breadth and diversity of medicine captivated him.

Adam joins our podcast to share his undergraduate college journey at the University of Cincinnati, about double majoring in medical sciences and liberal arts, Mentoring Refugees, Co-op, winning the Truman Scholarship, Critical Language Scholarship, and Advice for High Schoolers.

In particular, we discuss the following with him: 

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Adam Elzarka is graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Sciences and Liberal Arts at the University of Cincinnati. 

Memorable Quote: “And I also think there's value in exploring things outside of your field. A lot of my study abroad, were simply focused on language learning, you know, really trying to strengthen my Arabic, even though my primary majors, you know, medical sciences, really taking a step back and looking at the humanitarian side of healthcare by studying philosophy, you know, there are a lot of ethical questions that come within life, how can we answer those or even psychology, looking at the importance of mental health.” Adam Elzarka.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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Dr. Stacey Sinclair loved the idea of working with bright motivated students. So when an opportunity came up to work with the Honors Program in 2005, Dr Sinclair jumped in with both feet.

In 2014, the Honors Program transitioned to Honors College and Dr. Sinclair became the Director of the Weber Honors College.

On this Podcast, Director Sinclair introduces the Weber Honors College, Honors as a “Minor”, the Interdisciplinary Programs, UG Research & Study Abroad, Scholarships, How to Apply, and Career Opportunities.

In particular, we discuss the following with her:

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Dr. Stacey Sinclair is the Director of SDSU Weber Honors College. Dir. Sinclair earned her PhD in Counseling from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

Memorable Quote: “Because we recognize that the solution to life's problems are not in a multiple choice test, [but] that students need to be getting their hands dirty.” Dir. Stacey Sinclair.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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Kate took a Gap Year after High School and took part in an International Study Program. When she joined college after her gap year, she felt she was very clear about her goals in college, compared to her peers who had come straight after high school.

The one year gap had energized her!

In this Podcast, Kate first tells us what a Gap Year is, Why Students Take a Gap Year, Benefits & Downsides, and Transition to College after.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Kate Asgari is the Director of College Counseling and Associate Dean for Grades 11 & 12 at Overlake School, Redmond WA.

Memorable Quote: “And we simply didn't feel that way. Because we had taken a breath, done something completely different and tried and learned new skills, turned our world upside down and looked at it from a different point of view, and had an appreciation for what a college experience could and should be.” Kate Asgari on joining college after her Gap Year.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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Prof. Emert is a first generation college graduate. His undergraduate degree was in music performance. His Doctoral work was in Mathematics. He has had a successful career as a Mathematician & Academic.

Since 2017, Prof. Emert has been the Dean of BSU Honors College.

In this podcast, Dean Emert introduces the BSU Honors College, The Programs, UG Research, Study Abroad, Scholarships, How to Apply, and Career Opportunities.

In particular, we discuss the following with him:

Topics discussed in this episode:

Our Guest: Dr. John Emert is Professor of Mathematical Science and the Dean of the Ball State University Honors College.  Dean Emert earned his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Tennessee.

Memorable Quote: “I'm a first generation college student. And I think some of the best advice that I received came from my parents. When I was finishing high school, they said, we've given you every opportunity. Go forth and take advantage of it. And I couldn't have asked for better advice.” Dean Emert.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

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