Muskie Graduates are going places

MAJORS: Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) Mathematics Education and Theatre

CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Pi Phi Gamma (FAD), Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honorary president, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary, Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honorary, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary, and participating in the KCACTF theatre festival with the Muskingum Theatre department Ava Hayslip will be taking her skills to the classroom as a 7th and 8th grade mathematics teacher including Algebra 1 at Ripley Union Huntington Lewis Middle School. For Ava, Muskingum gave her the best education. The small class sizes were especially beneficial, because students can get that one-onone instruction to be sure they truly understand the content. “I felt very knowledgeable in my content area, and fully prepared to know anything that comes my way in the math world. When it comes to education and students in the classroom, you really never know what you are going to get.” Ava has valued her field placements and student teaching. “I have been in many situations, both good and bad, and I could see how they were handled by other professionals, so I can get an idea of how to handle them in the future. I am looking forward to making connections with the students. You can truly make a difference not only in their day, but also in their whole lives.”

She shares that theatre has been a wonderful learning experience as well. The relationships she has made through the Muskingum University Theatre Department are amazing. They have made her believe she can do the impossible. “Not only am I confident in standing in front of people and public speaking, my problem-solving and teamwork skills have greatly improved over the years! Through theatre my confidence has grown, so I can stand in front of those students who do not want to learn math and TEACH THEM!

“Muskingum also has stressed the importance of community and giving grace. You need to be able to build that community, to make all students comfortable to want to learn. You want the students to have respect for not only you, but one another in the classroom. I have also learned to give grace to yourself and to others. You need to give yourself grace to avoid burn out and build persistence."

MAJOR: History

MINORS: Gender Studies, Philosophy, and Political Science

CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Chi Alpha Nu academic chair, vice president and house manager; Student Senate chief of staff; Phi Alpha Theta; Women in Politics president; John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellow; and Washington Academic Internship Program

Hannah Riggle will be going to the University of Cincinnati College of Law. In planning for law school, Hannah says the History Department has been invaluable in providing her with mentorship and opportunities throughout her time at Muskingum. She formed great relationships with her advisors and credits their guidance with aiding her in accomplishing her goals. “I feel as prepared as I can be for the course load that I will be undertaking as a law student. The History major specifically helped me to become a better writer, taught me how to think critically, and acclimated me to a large reading load.”

As a junior, she participated in the Washington Academic Internship Program through the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. This opportunity allowed her to live and work in Washington, D.C. for the fall semester of her junior year. “The professional experience I gained in this program was instrumental in cementing my decision to apply to law school.”

“I am excited to continue my journey in higher education and feel prepared because of my undergraduate experience at Muskingum. I created an amazing support system, grew as a leader, and became more confident as an individual. I am excited for this next step in my journey but am grateful for the experiences I had. Muskingum is a wonderful community, and I will miss the campus (and the History department especially) very much.”

MAJOR: Nursing

MINORS: Human Biology and Psychology

CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Men’s Soccer, Lambda Sigma Honor’s Society, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, Resident Assistant, and Nursing Student Organization (NSO)

When Hunter graduates, he will be joining the Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). According to Hunter, Muskingum has prepared him for this position. “We have a specific course guided towards complex disorders that clients will experience; this course has prepared me for what is expected of an RN and how the RN can provide high quality evidence-based care. Lab simulations, including Code Blues, Massive Hemorrhages, Strokes, DKA, Sepsis, Cardiac Abnormalities, Overdoses, and many other disease processes have guided me already on how to effectively care for this population of clients.”

In addition to his many campus activities, Hunter also held a Multi Skilled Technician (MST) position at Genesis Hospital within the Critical Care Unit throughout his education at Muskingum. He says this has helped him understand the client population and get hands-on experience with the client care. He looks forward to being able to make an impact on his clients and being able to educate them to prevent further complications with their disease processes.

“Being in the Nursing program here has allowed me to grow in a safe environment and learn from my mistakes. My education at Muskingum has made me confident to take care of clients post-graduation. I am very grateful for all my professors and my time at Muskingum; I had some of the best times of my life and met lifelong friends along the way. Thank you to everyone who got me where I am today.”

MAJORS: Political Science and Public Administration

CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Resident Assistant, Black Student Union president, Sisters of Hue president, Student Senate treasurer, Women’s Basketball

After graduation, Casey Smith is going to The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs where she will earn her master’s degree in public administration. Not only is her full tuition covered, she also is getting a stipend and will spend a semester in Washington, D.C. as part of the Washington Academic Internship Program. “I eventually want to work on Capitol Hill developing policies, so I am looking forward to getting to intern in Washington, D.C.”

Muskingum gave her plenty of opportunities such as internships, projects, and networking experiences that helped build her resume and allowed her to develop marketable skills. Muskingum’s regional planning department allowed her to practice her research skills by creating projects and solutions for real-life problems. Casey was on the student team that participated in the 22nd annual Appalachian Teaching Project symposium presenting their work with the Zanesville City Council to develop a five-year strategic plan for downtown development.

“I think that preparing a five-year plan for downtown Zanesville and presenting in Washington, D.C. was the most influential experience; it helped me narrow in on my career goals and network with a lot of interesting people. Muskingum has allowed me to network with people I probably would not have otherwise had access to at a larger school.”

When Brenton Franks ’21 and ’23 graduated with a degree in special education, he was prepared for a job; however, he chose the sidelines instead. As a Graduate Assistant for the men’s basketball team, not only was he an assistant coach for two years, he also did it while earning his Institutional Teacher Leader master’s degree.

“I decided to go ahead and get my master’s degree because I had the opportunity to be part of the men’s basketball team. I don’t think very many people get that opportunity,” Brenton said. “At the time I was curious about coaching at the collegiate level, and I loved every part of it.”

Brenton came to Muskingum because of the reputation of the education department.

Both of his parents are education administrators, so they were familiar with the University and the success of its graduates. He also was excited to play sports.

As an undergraduate, Brenton came to Muskingum to play both basketball and golf and realized that was a challenge. So, he joined the golf team for his four years and was able to continue his love of basketball, helping the coaching staff.

“I had such a great experience here with the professors and the coaches,” Brenton said. “I just can’t say enough about them and this place, and how great it is.”

Brenton appreciated his master’s degree program being online. It afforded him the time and flexibility he needed to fulfill his GA responsibilities. “As a GA, you have to be prepared to work,” Brenton said. “While I didn’t make a lot of money, my tuition, room and board were covered, and I am setting myself up for the next opportunity.”

While his long-term goals include school administration, he will be an eighth-grade special education teacher at Tuscarawas Valley High School, which is a brand-new high school in his hometown.

“I am excited to be teaching in my hometown and be around family and friends,” Brenton said. “I am looking forward to hopefully coaching and starting some youth athletic programs and preparing students for their future both on and off the court.”

For alumni considering furthering their education, Brenton said, “Whenever you further your degree, it opens more opportunities. I now have the possibility of going into administration within a few years.”