Having Double the Fun with Club and Intramural Sports

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been a competitive athlete. I played almost every sport growing up including soccer, softball, swimming, track and field, cross country, gymnastics, dance, and more. Whether it was watching the Tennessee Volunteers on TV or having my dad pitch to me in Little League, sports have always been a significant part of my life and an important component further connecting my family. Because of my investment in sports, I knew I wanted to continue playing sports in college.

My dad has been very influential in my love for sports. He played sports all throughout his life and for the past fifteen years has been coaching different levels of sports teams. During my junior and senior year of high school, I was the team manager for my dad’s lacrosse team. It was honestly the highlight of my high school career. I had the time of my life being the coach’s daughter and being in charge of the game day book with all of the players’ stats. I started practicing with the girls’ team and attended lacrosse clinics. I picked up the sport relatively quickly and just fell in love with it. 

The girls’ team head coach gave me all of my lacrosse gear, I just needed a team to play for. My dad really wanted me to play for the women’s varsity lacrosse team, but with my very busy schedule and other priorities, it just was not a realistic commitment for me. During the Student Involvement and Activities Fair of my freshmen year, I discovered the women’s club lacrosse team table. I immediately put my name down and could not wait to share the exciting news with my dad.

Playing on the women’s club lacrosse team at Bloomsburg has been a lot of fun. We play year-round, practice about two or three times a week, and compete against other women’s club lacrosse teams on weekends. We usually play against Bucknell, Lafayette, Towson, Lehigh, and more. We got new and sharp looking uniforms last year and did a team photoshoot in them. I always wanted to be a part of a media day, and the pictures turned out great. 

My freshmen year I started out playing midfield and then got moved to attack. We do not have coaches; instead we have team captains who run the practices, schedule our games, and an executive board who takes care of everything in between. We have fundraiser events which are always fun to be a part of. I'm happy to be a part of a team with other females who love lacrosse as much as I do.

This past semester, Bloomsburg's Intramural Sports Office offered powder puff. For those who don't know, powder puff is women’s flag football. As soon as I saw that, I knew I had to get a team together and sign up right away. I've been wanting to play powder puff ever since I was in high school. The perfect opportunity finally presented itself during my senior year. I recruited some of my friends to play and got enough friends to have a team. 

Our team’s name was the Blitz Babes. We only needed four girls on the field to play, and that’s exactly what we had. Even without any subs or extra girls, we were able to play a full season and even made it to the championship playoff game. We won! It was such an exciting game going all the way into double overtime. My team scored the winning T-shirts, which I have been wanting for quite some time now. This has been one of the highlights of my college experience.

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Where will your internship take you?

Internships are one of the most important and invaluable experiences you could have as a college student. They give you a glimpse into what working in the real world is like. In my opinion, the more internships you have, the better off you’ll be. It’ll make you so much more marketable when it comes time to looking for a full-time job after college. Having an internship sets you up for great success. If you want to get the most out of college, take on opportunities that come along the way, and learn as much as you can, then you will make time to work as an intern, whether that is during the summer or the semester.

During the spring and summer of my junior year of college I worked as a sport management intern for the Philadelphia Phoenix. The Phoenix are a professional Ultimate Frisbee team based in Philadelphia and compete in the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA). During my time with the Phoenix I participated in weekly meetings, attended and worked promotion events, assisted client and ticket services, helped with game day responsibilities at home and away stadiums, ensured customer data and information, aided in ticket sales and merchandise sales, assisted in creating content for the team’s social media page, and much more. I had such a blast working for the Phoenix and am so glad I had such a positive first internship experience.

I was presented with the opportunity to travel with the team to their away games, including internationally. I traveled with the team to their double header in Canada, which was my first time out of the country! The Phoenix played Toronto on the first day and then traveled to Ottawa to play Montreal on the second day. Both games yielded victories, and the Phoenix returned to Philadelphia triumphantly! I was able to expand my technology skills and create content for the team. I even made a commercial spotlighting the interns, who included Mo’ne Davis, famous former Little League World Series pitcher. In the team’s fourth annual live NBC Sports Commonwealth Cup game against the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds, we won! That was also my first time making it on television, even if it was only for a glimpse!

Over this past summer, I was a ticket sales intern for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. They are a professional ice hockey team that competes in the American Hockey League (AHL). Their home rink is the PPL Center in Lehigh Valley, PA. I really wanted to work for the Phantoms, especially after going to my first game on New Year’s Eve with my family. That was such a fun and memorable night. I was the first and only ticket sales Intern they have had, and I hope they continue with the internship program because it really opened my eyes and showed me what it’s actually like working on the business side of sports in the off-season.

My commute was over three hours round-trip, and I was working regular contract hours like the other sales representatives in person from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If I’m being honest, these were some of the longest days of my life. It was a lot having an internship, working another job, and taking multiple summer classes. Most 21-year-old college girls’ summers do not look like mine, but to me it’s worth it because I know that the sacrifices I make now will pay off in the long run.

As a ticket sales intern, my day-to-day life on the job looked very similar. I made over 40 outbound sales calls per day, conducted research on local businesses, and participated in weekly meetings across different departments. Two things I value most are consistency and structure, and this job gave me that. On my first day, I was already doing role plays ... and before I knew it ... I was on the phone talking to single game buyers. Every time I picked up the phone, I felt a mix of emotions between nervousness and excitement because I did not know what the other person was going to say or how they were going to respond to me. I always made sure I was prepared with the proper materials and information and was armed with my critical thinking skills. Some calls went better than others, but over the course of two weeks I gained 22 new leads. 

My boss was ready to hire me after he saw that.

Connections mean everything in the workforce. If you prioritize networking and make strong connections, securing a job will be much easier than applying for a job and being one of thousands of applicants. I got both of my internships through connections, and I’m very fortunate to have great people in my life who are supportive, uplifting, and encouraging. Both internship experiences were very different from each other, but that made them all the greater.

It's important to diversify your experience, so you find out what you like and dislike about the job before going into the real world and trying it out for the very first time. Some companies will even hire you as a full-time employee after graduation if you do a really good job and they feel that you are a good fit for the company. It’s like an audition in a way.

How great would that be to have an internship that turns into a full-time job? You just never know where it could lead you, so make the most of every internship opportunity.

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Helping Shelter Animals Find Their Furever Homes

 

I’m a big animal lover, and my love for animals has inspired me to branch out and help the animals within the Bloomsburg community. I’ve been a part of the Students Saving Shelter Animals (SSSA) Club at Bloomsburg since the first semester of my freshmen year. As I was walking through the Student Involvement and Activities Fair, I came across the SSSA table and couldn’t believe that such an organization existed. I was so happy to know that there are other college students out there like me who want to help animals in need. We meet on a bi-weekly basis, and our meetings are always centered around animals and coming up with new ways we can help the animals within our community. Our executive board team is senior heavy, so we could really use younger members to keep the SSSA Club thriving for years to come.

That's a call for you, the reader, to join!

I wanted to be as involved as possible within the club, so when the executive board elections came around, I was excited to have been nominated for a position. Last year I was elected the new Event Coordinator for the SSSA Club! I pitched a new idea that has been quite successful. I suggested that each club member or Bloomsburg resident donates any new or lightly used towels, blankets, or sheets to the Danville SPCA. That way they are not wasting their blankets and towels and are putting them to the best use possible. There are donation boxes in most of the residential dorm halls at Bloomsburg for students to put their towels and blankets.

We also collaborated with the Honors College, and they’re allowing Honors students to get service hours for their donations. It’s a win-win situation all around! The shelter animals depend on our love and affection to get through their time at the shelter. Unfortunately, some animals are there a lot longer than others, and those are the animals that need the most love and support.

I’ve been volunteering at the PSPCA Danville Center for over a year now. I go to the shelter monthly to help staff with whatever they need for the day. I usually spend time taking the dogs on nice long walks and playing with the cats in the cat room. The dogs do not care what the weather is; they’ll happily walk even in rain or snow. There are also gated yard areas at the shelter where I take the dogs to let them run around and play and have more space. It always fills my heart to see them happy. They are so desperate to get outside of their kennels and get some fresh air. Investing my time in them is the least I can do. If I can make even one animal’s day and time at the shelter a little better, then my time there is worth it. I love going into the shelter and seeing all of the animals’ names fill up on the adoptions for the month. That’s how it should be. I hope that each animal in the shelter finds their furever home with the best family!

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Academic Excellence and Personal Growth: Life in Honors College

Being an Honors student has always been important to me and has helped shaped me into the young, independent, driven young woman I am today. I take pride in my academic achievements and awards, as they are some of my greatest accomplishments in my academic career. Being in the Honors College is a privilege and something I don’t take lightly. It’s also not as scary, intimidating, or intense as it may seem. If you are gifted academically, you will find the Honors College to be more rewarding and beneficial over all else. There are requirements to being in Honors, which I believe holds me to a higher standard and sets me apart from my classmates.

I’m so glad that while in my senior year of high school I chose to be in the Honors College at Bloomsburg. I attended a private high school in New Jersey, and I was in the National Honors Society. When it came time to apply to colleges, I knew I wanted to go to a school that had an Honors program. I got accepted into other Honors Colleges at other universities, but I knew the second I stepped foot on Bloomsburg’s campus that this was going to be my second home for the next four years. My grandfather had never been to Bloomsburg, but on Thanksgiving Day of 2021, he told me he thought Bloomsburg sounded like the best fit for me. Fast forward to February of 2022, on the night of his funeral, I came home and paid my deposit for Bloomsburg. He was one of the most influential people in my life, and I knew he was leading me in the right direction. I know I would not be the same person, student, or professional had I picked a different school.

I’m a senior RA in Lycoming Hall, home of the Honors College. This is a full circle moment for me because it felt like just yesterday, I was living in Lycoming as a freshman. In my opinion, Lycoming is the nicest, cleanest, and best place to live on campus. My residents are all driven academically, and I’ve been enjoying watching them succeed. I also wrote my Honors Minor High Impact Experience on being an RA, and I’m so glad I did because I could reflect on how my leadership role has morphed over the past few years. As an RA I host monthly programs for residents, but as an Honors student I get to enjoy attending Honors events each semester. One of my favorites was the “Smarty Plants” event where I got a succulent and decorated its pot. It brings happiness to my dorm room.

Community service has always been important to me. It’s a selfless act, reaching out and helping those in need. A requirement of being in Honors is completing a certain amount of service hours per year. I’ve been doing community outreach for a while now, and it is one of my favorite things to do. In high school, I would write happy messages and attach them to flower vases that were distributed to the homebound in my church community. Sometimes they would write me thank you notes back expressing their appreciation. Even though I never got to meet the recipients, it made me feel really good knowing I brought joy to someone’s day. I’ve been volunteering at the SPCA in Danville for over a year now. If I’m being honest, this is one of my favorite parts of my college experience. I love spending time playing with the cats and taking dogs on nice long walks. The animals desperately need love and attention, and I have plenty to give them during their time at the shelter. This is something that always warms my heart.

My very favorite class I’ve taken so far at Bloomsburg is Honors Critical Reasoning Seminar on Mindfulness and Well-Being. That class was exactly what I needed during the fall semester of my junior year. Fall of 2024 was one of the most challenging times of my entire life due to family and medical reasons, housing arrangements, and just life in general. This class helped me in more ways than I can even count and gave me the proper resources and tools to improve my physical, mental, emotional health and my overall well-being. My class took a trip to the BodyWorks Wellness Studio in East Stroudsburg, and I have to say that was a life-changing experience for me. I did salt therapy for the first time ever and that was very relaxing. The Honors classes are different from regular classes, but in a good way. They are more discussion based and hands on, and I appreciate that kind of learning.

This semester, I’m completing my Honors Capstone Project on “Women in Sports.” I chose this topic as it relates to the foundation of the internship I had over the summer working as a Ticket Sales Intern for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, a professional ice hockey team. When I was researching topics to write about, I knew I also wanted to make it personal and relatable in some aspect. As an intern for a professional sports team, even though it was only for a couple weeks, I was a woman working in a male-dominated industry. I want to dive even deeper into this topic and educate myself and others more. I’m currently in the process of researching and writing my scholarly paper. After I complete my paper, I’ll then create a poster that I’ll present at the Honors reception in early December. I’m very excited to see how it comes out on the big canvas. This is my last major project for Honors, and I intend to make it notable!

Something I value most about being in Honors is the like-minded individuals I’ve met along the way. Even though my friends in Honors are in different majors than me, they have the same academic goals of achieving excellence by making the Dean’s List or President’s List each semester. I’ve discovered we have similar values and drive to getting to where we want to be. Some of my good friends I met during my freshman year through the Honors College, and I hope to stay close with them after I graduate in May. The Honors College has pushed me to better myself academically, professionally, and personally, and I am forever grateful for this amazing opportunity.

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Wallie and Me Take on College

Having an emotional support animal (ESA) is one of the greatest gifts in my world. I've had my ESA with me at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg from the first day I moved into Lycoming Hall my freshman year. His name is Wallie, whom I named after my favorite country music artist, Morgan Wallen. Wallie is a very soft, fluffy, happy, playful, and spoiled bunny. 

But above all else, he's my furry best friend. 

Having Wallie with me throughout my college years has made my experience so much more memorable, meaningful, and healthy. I couldn't imagine going through college without him.

My days at Bloomsburg are better, brighter, happier, and more fulfilling because of Wallie. He wakes me up early every morning so he can eat his pellets, which is his favorite meal of the day. Then, we eat lunch together. I normally eat a sandwich from Husky Lounge, and he eats a fresh, organic gourmet salad that I prepare for him. 

We spend a lot of time together in between my classes, internship, RA responsibilities, club meetings, and lacrosse practices. He has a very spacious, nice area set up in my room full of his blankets, plush beds, treats, toys, tunnels, his hay and water, and more. He's very happy living in Bloomsburg. 

Wallie is my faithful and loyal companion and has been with me throughout everything I've been through and experienced at college. Together, we embrace what it truly means to be a Husky.

When I was in my senior year of high school, I knew I wanted to bring an ESA with me to school. Ever since I was born, I've been living in a house full of pets. I currently have seven pets at home, including cats, dogs, and fish. I have a very close and tight-knit family, and we're all big animal lovers. 

I knew moving hours away and being on my own would be a tough transition going from what I had had for the past eighteen years to being in a small room by myself. I wanted to bring a part of my home with me to provide me with comfort, love, and emotional support. Wallie is the perfect ESA to have with me away at school. He's super easy going, adaptable, loving, and is just happy to be around me. 

We have an extremely close connection and an unbreakable bond. We've been inseparable since day one. He is very smart for a bunny and is in-tune to my feelings and emotions. When I'm happy, he hops around and jumps in the air and plays with his toys, but when I'm upset, he thumps and makes it known that he understands and is in sync with me.

After I was set on bringing Wallie, it was time for me to contact the university disability services (UDS) office on campus to get the ESA approval process started. Bloomsburg does allow approved ESAs to live with residents on campus, which is really amazing. This was another reason I chose to go to Bloomsburg because I knew I would be able to have Wallie with me. 

There are some schools that don't allow you to have animals on campus, so it's important to figure that option out before committing to college. Some people might not know what an ESA is or that Bloomsburg allows approved ESAs on campus, which is why I want to share my story and spread the word so more people can benefit from having an ESA with them. 

Having Wallie with me at college truly has made my college experience the best. If you're an animal lover or have an ESA you want to share your college experience with, know that it's a possibility.

Erin Heidlauf, who is the assistant director of disability services, has been so genuine, supportive, kind, understanding, and helpful to me even before I got to Bloomsburg. She's helped me so much, probably more than she will ever know, and I so appreciate her kindness and willingness to help me. She has helped me with all of my accommodations and has made my time here at Bloomsburg so much better. I hope that more Huskies start exploring the ESA process and are able to reap the benefits of having a furry companion with them to bring some comfort and support during their college years and beyond.

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Two Fields, One Future: Making the Most of a Dual Major

Being a double major has between extremely challenging and rewarding at the same time. I'm double-majoring in business administration with a management concentration and communication studies with an organizational concentration. I hope this ambitious goal sets me apart from my peers and makes me a more marketable candidate when it comes to applying for jobs. 

I've been taking classes every single semester, including every winter and summer break, just to be able to graduate in four years. If I remained with only one major, I would've graduated early but knew that I wanted to make the very most of my time at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg. I figured the sacrifices I'm making now by giving up my winter and summer breaks to work and take classes to get ahead will be worth it and only benefit me as I enter the business world.

The biggest strengths I've developed so far are a strong interdisciplinary skill set, enhanced leadership and teambuilding skills, career versatility, better problem-solving, and conflict management approaches. 

I'll carry these strengths and newly developed skills with me into my professional career after I graduate. It's not been a super easy time, being a double major and taking all required classes for both majors, including general education courses, Honors courses and capstone project, communication internship, and more. I've had one heavy academic journey, but despite the scheduling conflicts, I've always found a way to make it all work.

My parents are both teachers, but I wanted to follow a new and different path for myself. I honestly was not entirely sure what I wanted to do or study, but I knew I wanted to pick a major and start taking classes for my major in my first semester. 

I came to Bloomsburg as a communication studies major after declaring my major on Husky Decision Day back in April of my senior year of high school. An alum spoke at one of the sessions that day and said that she was a communication studies major and worked with Eli Manning once. I remember her sharing her story and that was all I needed to hear to know that I wanted to study the same thing. 

Eli Manning is my favorite athlete, and I think it would be the coolest thing in the world to be able to work with him someday too. I chose the organizational concentration because I wanted to learn how to communicate with diverse groups of people within different organizations.

After getting through my first semester, I wanted to challenge myself to make the most of my college experience. During the holiday break, I spoke with my aunt and uncle who are both in the business field. 

My aunt is in the pharmaceutical sales industry and told me she thought I would like sales. She suggested I pursue a major in professional sales and marketing. She's very smart, and I knew she would help lead me in the right direction. After taking my first classes within the Zeigler College of Business, I knew I made the right decision.

During the beginning of my junior year, I had a moment of realization. I did not want to limit myself in any way with being a specific major, so I made the move to something more diverse and applicable to all areas of business.

And that was business administration. 

I chose the management concentration because one day I want to be a leader and hold a higher position within a company and wanted my education experience to best prepare me for that. I really enjoy my management classes and like how they cover different industries such as finance and supply chain. 

My favorite management class is one I'm currently taking. It's a Zoom class — organizational behavior — with Dr. (Darrin) Kass. Even though it's online, he makes it super fun and engaging. My favorite chapter we've covered so far is Positive Organizational Behavior, which is the study and application of positively oriented human resource strengths and psychological capacities in today’s workplace.

In May, I'll be graduating with my undergrad in two different degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). I'm also considering pursuing a Master of Business Administration upon graduation.

It's important to continue learning and expanding your knowledge even when you have a full-time job. There's always something new to learn. I'm very excited to see where my professional career takes me and to be a lifelong learner!

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

It was about building me

If you told me at the end of sophomore year that the next two years would be the busiest, most transformative, and most rewarding part of my experience at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, I probably would’ve laughed — and then asked for a nap. 

Coming back from the Disney College Program, I felt like I had just closed the chapter on a dream. I’d spent months immersed in magic, making guests smile, and living in a place where fireworks capped off the night. Re-entering "normal" campus life felt … weird.

Slower. Quieter. I wasn’t sure how to match the energy I had just come from.

Although, junior year had other plans.

Not long after returning, I threw myself into new opportunities — ones I hadn’t even seen coming. I joined the American Marketing Association and somehow found myself stepping into the role of social media chair, where I got to blend creativity and strategy in a way I never had before. 

I added PRSSA to the mix (because why not?), and suddenly I was surrounded by people who got the rush of campaigns, content calendars, and the power of storytelling.

AMA provides their members with wonderful opportunities to visit marketing agencies to network and understand the marketing industry. We got the opportunity to tour WebFX — a digital marketing agency headquartered in Harrisburg with regional hubs in Michigan, Florida, and Pennsylvania — and I immediately fell in love.

WebFX came to a career expo on campus, so I talked to them to get more information on the company and what careers they have to offer. Julie Gardner, their talent acquisition coordinator gave me information on WebFXU. I attended this program in the spring of my junior year and handed them my resume.

And then over the summer, I landed a job with WebFX. It was one of those “pinch me” moments, where I realized I wasn’t just learning anymore. I was doing.

By senior year, I wasn’t done saying yes. I joined Dance Ensemble, a student-run dance organization. It was something I always admired from afar but never had the guts to try. Turns out, dancing on stage in front of a crowd is terrifying and thrilling and one of the best decisions I’ve made.

These past two years weren’t just about building a resume. They were about building me. From mouse ears to marketing plans, social media strategies to stage lights — I learned what it means to show up, to lead, to create, and to trust that sometimes the best thing you can do is just say “yes.”

— Mia Shrawder, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on leadership and public advocacy, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this spring. She is a native of Mechanicsburg who likes to run, dance, do pilates, cook and bake healthy recipes, read, watch Gilmore Girls, and watch soccer with her father.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Meeting Mickey never gets old

The beginning of my sophomore year was a major switch for me. I packed my bags and flew down to Orlando, Florida, for the Disney College Program! So, you might be thinking ... What made you want to go there when the previous year was pretty tough? Trust me, the decision wasn’t the easiest but something in me knew I needed to go down there for a difference

I first heard about the Disney College Program my sophomore year of high school after our family vacation there. My dad encouraged me after getting advertisements on his laptop. He told me it was an opportunity I should consider once I got into college.

An opportunity to work for the parks and go to the parks for free? Who would say no to that? When I finished my first semester my dad mentioned it to me once again. I thought, “You know what, I want to go.” My first semester was rough, and I definitely was not at my peak happiness. My parents encouraged me to sign up. If I got denied at least I applied and maybe I would try again later in my college career.

To apply to the program, the applicant must have at least one semester of college under their belt. Luckily for me, I finished my first year of college when I decided to apply. The process was surprisingly quick. Within one week I got the “You’ve been Accepted Email” that truly changed my life.

I started tearing up.

So many thoughts went through my head. I called my dad and told him immediately after I opened the email. I’ll never forget that look of shock he had because of the quick response I received just days after applying. I was set to go down for the fall semester of 2022, which I chose particularly because of the Halloween and Christmas decorations. Those holidays are notorious for having some of the best holiday decorations and character celebrations in the world.

Fast Forward to that fall. I was off to Disney, just turned 19, and ready to begin this life-changing journey. It changed my life. I was given the job of hostess at Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios. I’m not going to lie. The job wasn’t the most glamorous, especially on those 90-degree days. I definitely didn’t feel like a princess most days.

But there were so many aspects of this job I wouldn’t change. I met the most amazing people from across the country. My best friend from the program was from Missouri. Sydney and I were inseparable at work, and it wasn’t the same when we had different shifts or different days off. She was someone who could make me laugh when I wasn’t having a great day. We loved the same movies, music, and hobbies, so we could just go on and on and would never get tired of hanging out. After work, we would drive home jamming to Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and even Disney Channel music. She gave me some advice that I took back with me to Bloomsburg. 

“Don’t be scared to chase your dreams, trust your gut, and take those opportunities. Your future self will thank you." 

My coworkers at my job were honestly among the nicest people I’ve met and they taught me so much and were proud I decided to join the program at the time I did. I knew I made the right decision when I met them.

On the days I wasn’t at work you could probably find me lounging by the pool, shopping at Disney Springs, and OF COURSE the parks. I can’t tell you the amount of times I went on Guardians of the Galaxy. Yes, that’s the best ride hands down. Don't get me started on the Dole Whip, a top-notch Disney dessert. Meeting Mickey never gets old either!

This trip wasn’t just a fun excursion I wanted to embark on, but it really shaped me into the person I am today. I learned to be more independent and self-reliant. My parents weren’t there to hold my hand and tell me the right thing to do. I needed to do it for myself. 

I learned self-sufficiency by aiming to obtain basic necessities like making my own food, cleaning my space, and sticking to a schedule. There were days I wanted to book a flight and come back home, but I knew that meant giving up. That wasn’t me. Whenever I put my mind to something, I do it even if it's hard. So, I picked up my chin and continued following my dreams. I put on that smile and gave it my all at work, with my amazing new friends, and taking care of myself when I was there.

The Disney College Program was one of the best experiences of my life. I made so many incredible memories, lessons, and friends that have truly changed my life for the best. I couldn’t imagine my life without doing this program and pursuing this dream.

I knew that I needed to Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg and look at the college experience in a different light. Freshman year I was so scared and anxious about being away from home. Once I returned, I was more confident in myself, put myself out there to make more friends, and joined the clubs I was scared of joining. So, if you’re thinking about doing the Disney College Program, do it. Have an open mind. If you don’t like your job, just give it a chance. See the good and magic in the small and mundane things. Before going I was scared, nervous, and unsure it was the right decision for me. After coming back, I was so grateful for the opportunity to learn more about who I am.

— Mia Shrawder, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on leadership and public advocacy, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this spring. She is a native of Mechanicsburg who likes to run, dance, do pilates, cook and bake healthy recipes, read, watch Gilmore Girls, and watch soccer with her father.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Don’t be afraid of change, embrace it

I still remember how nervous I was about starting college, because it meant moving away from home. The place where I felt safe, where I could always go if I needed to see a familiar face or had a bad day. The thought of leaving Mechanicsburg was nerve-wracking. I’ve always been super close to my family, especially after COVID-19 changed everything and turned our world from being out and about to staying inside together.

In March 2021, my dad and I planned college visits to three schools: Shippensburg University, Kutztown University, and Bloomsburg University. I felt getting a sense of what the campus was like and its community was important to me to make this decision. These were my top schools because they weren’t incredibly far from home. All three were also smaller in size compared to Penn State and Pitt, which felt a little less overwhelming. The class sizes were great, and they all had great accolades to their name.

I was intrigued to see Bloomsburg the most because my aunt was attending the school at the time and my best friend, Miranda, from dance also expressed interest about going there. There were also a number of teachers from my high school who were either Bloomsburg alumni or had positive comments to say about the school. The moment I stepped onto campus, I felt this weird tingle in my stomach. It was a mix of excitement, possibility, and curiosity. After touring the other schools, I didn’t get that same.

About a month later, I realized that tingle was a sign — this was the place where I was meant to explore all those possibilities and opportunities. As scary as it was to make that decision, I just knew that Bloomsburg was where I was meant to be.

I’m not going to pretend freshman year was easy or perfect right off the bat. It was actually pretty rough. I was homesick for weeks and kept asking my mom to pick me up almost every weekend. I had a roommate, but she left most weekends, so I spent a lot of time alone. I tried joining clubs and making friends in my dorm, but nothing really clicked. I wanted to move back home and figure out a different plan for myself.

My parents noticed I was struggling, but they also knew how strong I was. They were understanding of the situation. My dad was a big proponent for me to stay at school and stick it out. I remember him saying “Change is going to happen — whether you're ready for it or not. College will bring lots of new experiences, from meeting different people to learning new things. Don’t be afraid of it.”

Growing up means there are times when you're going to be uncomfortable and scared. Staying at Bloomsburg was something I grew to love. If you don’t have a close relationship with your parents, confide in your friends, professors, counselors, or anyone else you trust. They have your best interest at heart and want to see you succeed. Just know that you are stronger than you think. It takes people a different amount of time to adjust to change. For some people they adjust quickly and for others it could even take years to find your groove and the right path for yourself.

A lot changed for me during my freshman year from the day I moved into my dorm to when I walked out of my last final nine months later. Little did I know at the time, a whole new experience — and a lot more change — was in store for me in my sophomore year.

— Mia Shrawder, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on leadership and public advocacy, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this spring. She is a native of Mechanicsburg who likes to run, dance, do pilates, cook and bake healthy recipes, read, watch Gilmore Girls, and watch soccer with her father.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

What a crazy journey it's been

Toward the end of my senior year of high school when I was thinking about college, I told myself this was an opportunity to reinvent myself in a way. Not that I wanted to change who I was entirely, but I saw it as an opportunity to improve some things I maybe didn’t like as much. In high school I didn’t like how closed off I was. I often wouldn’t give people the benefit of the doubt and that would lead to me not making friends easily.

This is something I was determined to turn around. Every new chapter in your life brings changes and I was determined for this change to be a positive one. The main thing I wanted to do differently was be more outgoing and make new friends. I left high school with only two friends, and I always regretted I didn’t make more of an effort to make more friends. I saw college as a start of a new chapter and an opportunity to put myself out there, but COVID had a different idea.

My freshman year in 2020, I moved into Columbia Hall and was trying my hardest to make connections with the other girls in my hall or people I had met through the Facebook page. All of this was going well until our in-person classes had to be moved online because the COVID cases in our area got too high. Because the classes got moved online, Bloomsburg was offering refunds on our room and board, which meant most people moved back home. I tried to stick it out as long as I could. I stayed for about a month and wanted to stay longer, but once I realized lots of people were leaving, I also went home. This really put a damper on my plans to reinvent myself and try better to make friends in college.

Although this sort of derailed my plans, I didn’t let it stop me from accomplishing my goal. I spent my sophomore year really trying to continue any relationships I formed in that short time I was on campus my freshman year and trying to form new friendships. I decided to move back to Bloom and get an apartment with my boyfriend Dylan. I didn’t have anyone I could get a dorm room with plus I thought it would be fun to live with my boyfriend. Moving back to Bloom after being home for most of my freshman year was kind of like I was moving to Bloom for the first time again. This was in a way my freshman year because I hadn’t fully experienced what it was like to be at college. Through this whole experience I really taught myself perseverance and to trust the process. Although the beginning of my college journey didn’t go the way I planned it still all ended up working out the way it was meant to.

In the past, I would have let these challenges stop me from trying again. This is why I struggled so much with building friendships in high school. I also felt since you go to school with the same people since elementary school, most friendships were already established. I found it hard for me to put myself out there because of my fear of rejection. If I had faced one issue or one roadblock, I would have completely jumped ship. 

But this experience was so important to me, and I really didn’t want to look back on college and think I should have done things differently. I forced myself to face my fears because I knew it would benefit me in the long run. I have seen myself mature and learn so many useful lessons through my four years. I understand the importance of good loyal friends who are always in your corner. If it weren't for my friends and my boyfriend I wouldn’t have been as successful through college as I was.

I also learned the importance of trusting your instincts. Not just in school, but also in life. Since I took a risk of putting myself out there and being vulnerable with strangers and it actually worked, it showed me I need to believe in myself. I would have never found my best friend Morgan if it weren’t for me going into college with this mindset. The college journey truly prepares you for your transition to adulthood. I felt like I was so underprepared when I entered college, but now I am a much more mature and prepared person who’s ready to enter the workforce. With that comes many decisions. I feel so confident in the degree I will be graduating with, the friends I have gained along the way, and the experiences I have. I will be graduating in May with a degree in communication studies, a focus in organizational communication, and a minor in psychology. 

The professors in the communication department are truly the best. They know their stuff and they are so encouraging and will help their students success in any way possible. I know because of them I truly am prepared to graduate. With all these tools I’m trusting I will be able to have a successful career. Although my path from here on out might be a little unknown I now have the skills to handle that better. 

If I face a bump in the road, I'm better equipped to handle it and trust everything happens for a reason. The support system I've built through this crazy journey will carry me through any hardships I might face. For now, I must embrace the scarries and see what the world has to offer me post-grad.

— Monica Wilt, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Marketing and Communications this spring. She is a native of New Cumberland, who loves Taylor Swift, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the show Survivor.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Trust yourself and embrace your intuition

Having a high school sweetheart is a controversial topic. Some people think it’s so sweet that we’ve been together so long while others think we’re crazy for getting together at such a young age. Everyone seems to have an opinion on whether you will stay together or break up. I get unsolicited relationship advice from almost anyone I talk to. 

So, you could imagine the type of responses I would get when I would tell people we were going to the same college. And then when I would say we were planning on living together. I had not only close friends and family tell me it was a bad idea, but teachers in my school would tell me we would never last. I’m not sure what it is about having a serious relationship in high school that freaks people out so much. Maybe it’s different for me because my grandparents are high school sweethearts and are still married today.

Dylan and I started dating in 2017 which was our freshman year of high school. Starting our relationship at such a young age allowed us to grow together as a couple. I think this was a big reason we felt confident enough to go to the same college together.

Even with all the negative comments Dylan and I still saw no problem with us coming to Bloomsburg together, and I am so glad we made that decision. From the day I moved in freshman year to the day I graduate, he will always be there for me. It always comforted me to know I had at least one person in Bloom I could go to. Especially when I struggled to find really close friends in the beginning.

Once Dylan and I started dating in high school I would myself become more comfortable being with just him which caused me to not find new friends. By the time we graduated high school, I realized that I only had Dylan plus one or two friends. When I went to college, I was determined to not let this be the case again. Although I still loved spending time with Dylan, I had to be sure I tried to meet new friends.

When we returned for our sophomore year neither one of us knew who to room with. We figured we could do random housing if we lived on campus, but that was nerve-racking. Finally, we had the idea we could get an off-campus apartment together. It was definitely a risky decision that everyone also had an opinion on, but we felt confident. So many people would say “What happens if you break up”, but why would I plan on us breaking up? It just seemed silly to me to not do what I wanted because we may or may not break up.

I feel like this decision really shaped my college experience. Not only did it bring us closer together, but it helped us form a very tight-knit friend group. My friends became his friends and vice versa. We all became one big friend group instead of two divided. Embrace the opportunity to make new connections whether that be from your significant other’s friends or open to introducing two different friend groups. It is something I will struggle with not having after I graduate. When we leave Bloomsburg, we already know we will have to live with our parents for a little while to save up money. Who knows how soon out of college we will get a job or if we will be making enough to get an apartment together. We want to wait to move out till when we feel financially comfortable enough to. It is going to be so hard not being together as much. But I still have a few more months of us living in the same apartment and having the same schedule.

I’m going to make sure I prioritize spending time with him and our friends. We have the best time making dinner together whether that be with my best friend Morgan or by ourselves. We love having movie nights, game nights, going on road trips to Sixers games, and just doing the small things together like grocery shopping or getting lunch at Chick-fil-A. But the one thing I will truly miss the most after college is the amount of free time we have to spend together. When we have a 9-5, we might be able to make dinner together or do things on the weekend, but it won’t be the same as the college schedule. Now we only have to be in class for about 3 hours every day then we can do whatever we want. It just makes me want to savor all the time we have now and not take anything for granted. Especially soaking in our trip to Jamaica for spring break. This will be our first big trip together as a couple so I am excited to see the way it will strengthen our relationship.

I love Dylan so much and I am forever grateful I didn’t listen to everyone’s negative comments in high school. Going to college together was the best decision we could have made. When I think back on Bloomsburg or my college experience the first thing I will remember is how he was there for me every step of the way.

The biggest lesson I have learned through this is to trust myself. I chose to embrace my intuition when it came to deciding if Dylan and I would go to the same school together or live together in college. Seeing that these decisions actually worked out and made my college experience better proved to me that I can make good decisions and that I can trust myself. I knew going to the same school and living together was the best choice for us, but everyone I talked to had me questioning my own feelings. Learning to trust myself and stop second-guessing my intuition is the best takeaway I could have gotten from college.

— Monica Wilt, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Marketing and Communications this spring. She is a native of New Cumberland, who loves Taylor Swift, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the show Survivor.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

A victory lap with my ride or die

Going into college I was absolutely terrified. I was so scared I wouldn’t make any friends, and I would be alone in my dorm room watching Love Is Blind all day. I mean who could resist. 

But I was also excited about the possibility of all of these new opportunities at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg. It felt exciting to think about having a group of girls to eat at Scranton Commons with or sit around and talk about celebrity drama with. 

"Man, Johnny Depp will never recover from this!" 

"Oh, poor Brittney. Free her!"

I felt so ready to leave Cedar Cliff High School in the past and start the next stage of my life. Although the thought of being friendless scared the crap out of me, I knew this is the risk I had to take. I thought if I kept an open mind and talked to as many people as possible, I’d find a group of friends to call my own. Talking to the girls in Columbia Hall is what really helped me. My freshman roommate and a girl who lived across the hall were the two who helped me branch out and meet new people. Sure, enough one day my sophomore year one of them introduced me to my best friend Morgan.

Up to that point, I struggled with not feeling included in the group of girls I met through my roommate. I wanted to be invited to all the random trips to Walmart snacks, the late-night Jersey Shore watch marathons, and the study sessions to finish those last-minute assignments, but I didn’t want to seem needy. I had the feeling these girls were definitely close friends of mine, but none of them were “my person." 

Then one of those girls introduced me to Morgan, and we just hit it off. She was always the one to invite me to all those things I felt left out of before. Our friendship went from just hanging out at parties on the weekend to doing absolutely everything together. Sure, we still like to go out with each other on the weekends, but the times when we truly connect with one another is when we go to the grocery store, or the student rec center, or we just spend the whole day sitting on the couch watching guilty pleasure reality TV shows like Vanderpump Rules.

I'm so incredibly grateful I have her to go through this experience with. College is hard to navigate. Classes and schoolwork are stressful and on top of it there are always personal problems like friendship drama or issues at home to deal with. It can just be a lot sometimes, but with Morgan by my side, it makes it a lot more manageable. She is always there to listen and gives the best advice. She has been my support system through the last three years, and I couldn’t be more grateful. 

Everyone dreams of having that one best friend they do everything with ... that they share everything with ... that is their ride or die. I truly believe you can find that in college just like I did. College life brings people closer together because no one understands the stress, schedule, and mindset of being a full-time student more than the ones you're doing it with. 

To survive you need to have that person by your side. I always have this feeling that everything happens for a reason, and I knew there was a reason I came to Bloom. I came here because I was meant to meet my best friend and when you’re least expecting it, you’ll find your Morgan too.

So, from now until we graduate in May, I’m going to appreciate every moment I get with her by making sure we have that Fourth Taco trip, or we drive to my hometown together. I’m going to enjoy every time we go to the gym, cook Italian food together, or watch The Kardashians for hours straight. 

Soon I’ll move back to the Harrisburg area, and she’ll move back to the Philly area for the last time. We’ll live two hours away and won't be able to see each other every day. We're going to have to plan times to see each other instead of texting “Wanna go get coffee in 5 minutes?” 

But just because our relationship will look a little different doesn't mean she'll ever stop being my best friend. I'll always be so grateful I found her.

— Monica Wilt, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Marketing and Communications this spring. She is a native of New Cumberland, who loves Taylor Swift, Philadelphia 76ers, and the show Survivor.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife