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

We’re Huskies, it’s what we do

Well… didn’t the fall semester just fly by.

After all the unexpected twists and turns, this girl is still going strong. One more semester left and looking back, I can’t say I have many regrets if any! Being involved with friends and clubs while staying active is the key to success in my book! (Not forgetting about the hours of writing papers and studying ;)) Our favorite!

But truly, I’ve learned that work DOES pay off! Be that student who puts in the extra hour to tidy up her paper. Be that student who goes out of their way to assist a member in their club with a project. Be THAT student who goes above and beyond. Sort of like Buzz Lightyear… or is that to infinity and beyond? Actually, do that too!

Oh, the Places You Go says Dr. Seuss. Make the effort, put in the work, and you’ll see the results in the end.

Starting out merely as a member of NCASC (National Communication Association Student Club), I’ve worked my way up to PRESIDENT! Taking on various leadership roles such as treasurer and public relations chair, I was an active exec member throughout my college years. It wasn’t all pretty though.

You see, at first, I tried so hard to follow this shiny, marbly, off-white path to guide me to my success. But in reality, this path is dusty, rugged, and dirt brown.

But that’s okay. Every path is different and leads to different things!

In my freshman year, I started out as a health science major. I loved science and formulas but my sophomore year, I learned this wasn’t the path for me. It was during the Covid-19 pandemic when I took a class called Interpersonal Communications and I absolutely loved it. Through the Zoom screen, my professor opened my eyes to other majors offered. She started telling me more about communication studies, and I was sold.

Regardless of what others thought or expected of me, I loved this new major path. Why? It was for myself.

Later on, I picked up a marketing minor as I was interested in aspects of business. I wanted to be as successful and marketable as possible after college. Even though I never really enjoyed crunching numbers, I pushed myself to learn more every day.

Happiness comes from within. And THAT is what I ultimately learned this year.

Overall, college has brought friends into my life that will truly last a lifetime. I’ve learned as much from them as I have in my courses. Life is a process, and it’s to be taken one step at a time.

And with one semester left, I can confidently say that when I walk across the graduation stage, I’ll continue to go onward and upward. We’re Huskies, it’s what we do.

— Kathryn Henriksen, 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 fall. She is a native of Pottstown who loves Andy Grammer, Nutella, and all 10 seasons of Friends.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife