Major Insight

The journey continues as we check in with our campus correspondent Parker Green as she settles into Miami University's Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) in Luxembourg. Now weeks into her study abroad, Parker reflects on the realities of daily life, the cultural adjustments, and all the moments that have already made the experience unforgettable. Discover how expectations evolve into real-life growth, and get an inside look at what it truly feels like to find your footing in a new part of the world.

Choosing a college is rarely a solo decision. It's a shared journey of excitement and uncertainty. In this special episode, Miami alumna Carolyn Manley reflects on her college years alongside her daughter Madelyn, a high school senior navigating her own college search. Together, they explore what it means to choose a school, step into independence, and build a sense of belonging. From lifelong friendships to moments of doubt and discovery, this intergenerational conversation reveals how college not only shapes students. But also the families who support them.

Confidence isn't something you arrive with—it's something you build along the way. In this episode, Eva Goorskey shares how she went from doubting whether she belonged in engineering to becoming a leader in Engineers Without Borders and a researcher working on an innovative, low-cost prosthetic hand. Along the way, we talk about overcoming imposter syndrome, redefining what it means to be "smart," and why asking for help can be one of the most important skills to learn in college.

Featured Majors: Chemical Engineering, Bioinformatics

What happens when life feels both wide open and wildly uncertain? In college, that's often where real growth begins. In this episode, Gianna Colarich reflects on stepping away from past paths and learning how to build a new life that doesn't need to fit neatly into any box. We'll also explore the pressure to have a perfect post-grad plan, and why you don't have to have everything all mapped out. Because sometimes the most meaningful path forward isn't a straight line—it's one that leaves room for creativity, courage, and adventure.

Featured Majors: Media and Communications, Theatre

In college, every "yes" opens a door. In this episode, Miami University Student Body President Daniel Martin reflects on risks taken, friendships formed, and all the opportunities that followed—from life-changing study abroad experiences and running for student government to interning on Capitol Hill. Whether you're a first-year still finding your footing or a senior starting to look ahead, this is a reminder that courage, curiosity, and a willingness to say "yes" can lead to places you never imagined.

Featured Majors: Diplomacy and Global Politics, History, Spanish

This spring, Major Insight takes you across the Atlantic for a special mini-series that follows our first-ever campus correspondent to Miami University's Dolibois European Center (MUDEC) in Luxembourg. In this bonus episode, Parker Green talks about her hopes and expectations as she prepares for this life-changing journey to study abroad. Get a first look at what it's like to live and learn in a new country, as we set the stage for this European adventure!

Belonging doesn't happen overnight—and that's okay. As a leading campus advocate for mental health, Carson Ebbrecht reflects on facing rejection, finding community, and getting involved. We'll also talk about setting achievable goals, staying motivated, and learning how to lead with purpose. From advocating for student mental health to taking on leadership roles, Carson shares why letting college unfold naturally, showing up for others, and staying open to change can make all the difference.

Featured Majors: Psychology, Premedical Studies

Finding yourself can start with a small step that leads to a complete transformation. In this episode, A'Dymond Sammons talks about feeling alone her first semester to becoming a campus leader, mentor, and advocate for others. As president of the Black Leadership Coalition and a regional board member for the National Society of Black Engineers, she explains how overcoming fears and embracing unexpected opportunities helped her flourish into who she is today. We'll also talk about navigating college as a first-gen student, the power of asking for help, and why it's perfectly okay not to have everything figured out from the start.

Featured Majors: Electrical Engineering, Humanitarian Engineering, English Studies

Building community in college isn't just about meeting new people. It's also about connecting with them along the way. In this episode, Edward Johnson shares how embracing change—from failed music auditions to major switches—helped him grow into the teacher he's always aspired to be. Through music, mentorship, and meaningful engagement, Edward reflects on his work as a musician, in government relations through ASPIRE, as part of TEACh Cincinnati, and about how every setback can be a path to personal growth.

Featured Majors: Social Studies Education, Music In Culture

What happens when you choose the harder path—not because it's easy, but because it helps you grow? In this episode, Olivia Patel reflects on how saying "yes" to new roles, bold choices, and unexpected challenges has shaped her entire college experience. As the editor-in-chief of The Miami Student, one of the oldest and most successful college newspapers in the country, Olivia talks about pushing past self-doubt to turn a clean slate into a lasting legacy.

Featured Majors: Journalism, Political Science, Classical Studies