Penmen Press Volume XXIX Issue VI

The

The Penmen Press | 1

Penmen Press

Writing SNHU’s Story

SNHU ANNOUNCES SEVERAL PROPOSED PROGRAM CHANGES Volume XXIX

HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH PROFESSORS Issue 6

MENS BASKETBALL NETS SIX STRAIGHT WINS

January 25th, 2023

penmenpress.com

MEET THE

STAFF Co-Editor-in-Chief

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Chris Tutt

Taylor Posik

Business Manager

Events Manager

Marketing Manager

Online Manager

NEws Editor

A&E/Opinion Editor

Lifestyle Editor

Sports Editor

Katelyn Ditto

Now Hiring!

Elise Fasano

Copy Editor

Allison Beaumont

Now Hiring!

Emily Blais

Lillie Nelson

Layout Editor

Christopher Kelly

Ryan Barrett

Adam Dufault

Faculty Adviser Jon Boroshok

The Penmen Press | 3

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4 | News

News

The Penmen Press | 5

SNHU Announces Several Proposed Program Changes Chris Tutt Co-Editor-in-Chief Executive Vice President of Campus Administration Don Brezinski announced that the SNHU administration is proposing changes to several campus programs.

Faculty members received this information via email on January 10.

The email mentioned that there has been an ongoing program analysis involving reviews from faculty, department chairs, and deans. Brezinski also stated that the usage of university resources and student success is paramount.

“First and foremost, I want to recognize everyone who has contributed to the academic program portfolio analysis work.

We’ve read the thoughtful, comprehensive reviews from faculty for each program, and I’m grateful for how every conversation has centered on our students’ very best interests,” said Brezinski. “Our goals throughout this portfolio analysis work have

been to ensure that our academic programs meet the needs of our students and employers, make the best use of university resources, and contribute to overall student success.”

Campus Administration is looking to “bank” the following undergraduate programs: AS Business Administration (AS.BAD); BBA Business Administration (BBA.BAD); BA Educational Entrepreneurship (BA.EDE); BA Liberal Arts (BA. LAR); and EXM Entrepreneurship (BS.ENT, formerly EXM.ENT).

Additionally, these campus minors may also be terminated: Baking (BAK.MINOR); Culinary and Baking (CBA.MINOR); Fashion Merchandising (FME. MINOR); Hospitality (HBU. MINOR); Music (MUS.MINOR); and Sports and Event Management (SSEM.MINOR).

Meanwhile, BS Aeronautical Engineering (BS.AEG); and BA

Sociology (BA.CSO) may be converted to campus minors.

None of these proposals are official. Campus Administration is collecting recommendations from the SNHU Professional Employee Association (SNHUPEA) and the Faculty Senate before presenting the proposal to President Paul LeBlanc for the final decision.

The reason for the proposed changes is to “reallocate some of the resources for several programs,” said Brezinski.

The final decision timeline is undetermined, so there are still many questions regarding how this would directly affect current students in these programs.

SGA announced that they will be holding a town hall meeting regarding these changes on Tuesday, February 7 from 3-5pm in the Upper Dining Hall. Students with questions regarding their program are encouraged to reach out to their academic advisor.

Webster Hall. (Image courtesy: Taylor Posik)

6 | News

SNHU Starts Inaugural Major Ambassador Program Adam Dufault Sports Editor SNHU is beginning its inaugural semester of the new Major Ambassadors program in the Spring ‘23 semester. Selected majors have assigned two to three students who dedicate time towards promoting their respective programs to new students. The central goal of the program is to make younger students on campus feel more involved. Not every major is yet to have assigned Major Ambassadors.

Each Major Ambassador has a designated department chair. They refer to their chair for assistance, guidance, and leadership toward planning events for students in their respective majors.

Justice Studies major Manny Baisley (‘23) spoke on what being a Major Ambassador means to him.

He emphasized how the program may provide opportunities for the university in the long run.

“It helps with my resume, but I have always enjoyed being a mentor or role model for those who are younger than me….I see the Major Ambassadors program being the focal point in recruiting future students,” said Baisley. “I feel that Major Ambassadors are beneficial for incoming students because having upperclassmen with experience in their major makes it easy to get advice or help.”

SNHU believes the Major Ambassadors program will improve student retention rates by increasing opportunities to get involved with peers and on-campus events and activities. “[We] are brainstorming many ideas, potentially sporting events, major-based intramural teams, meet and greets, and other ways

to get new students involved….I feel like I serve a purpose greater than just getting my degree,” said Baisley.

English Department Lecturer Selina Marcille took on the role of Coordinator for the Major Ambassadors program. She also serves as the department chair advisor for English majors.

“The goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for upperclass students within the major to provide a bridge for younger major students,” said Marcille.

Marcille spoke about what students, such as freshmen and sophomores, have to gain from this program.

“One of the big benefits is, of course, networking and being able to connect with people who have the experiences that they will be having,” said Marcille.

She went on to discuss specific events that students may attend.

Many of these events could provide context to academics, such as the Humanities Festival, along with guest-author readings.

“Looking forward, I would like to see more [engagement] here at SNHU, where there is more partnership between these Major Ambassadors…who can partner with the faculty to help build and

foster that sense of academic community,” said Marcille. “I hope in five years that we are able to have a presence in each and every major and that there is consistent faculty buy-in to the importance of establishing these types of academic communities.”

Marcille also talked about the significant impact faculty members have on this new on-campus program, and what it means to build a sense of togetherness within the academic community.

“One thing that I think is really unique about SNHU is how engaged and committed the faculty are to the students….Every faculty member who I have worked with in my eleven years here has such a passion for supporting students holistically….Being able to have department chairs buy into the purpose of this program and see it as essential…is so important because that sort of partnership is what builds the program to be stronger and stronger,” said Marcille.

SNHU looks to continue the Major Ambassador program for years to come. They hope to introduce new ambassadors every year to build a strong, fun academic community between students and their peers.

Edward S. Wolak Library Learning Commons. (Image courtesy: Cedric-Luamara Atlas)

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LEAI’s “Use Every Minute” Learning Initiative for Spring Semester Lillian Nelson Lifestyle Editor The Learner Engagement and Academic Innovation (LEAI) team are rolling out a new initiative called “Use Every Minute.”

Administrative Coordinator for LEAI, Lori Williams, and LEAI Assistant Vice President, Lynn Murray-Chandler, explained the new initiative.

“LEAI is [an] SNHU University College asset that aims to improve teaching, learning, and the student experience,” said Williams. “The team manages most faculty development work for the Manchester campus, as well as the support of many ‘High Impact Practices’ that we engage in on campus. LEAI is also the team tasked with improving retention and persistence for the campus.”

Williams explained what students might expect from a ‘Use Every Minute’ workshop, and what the program hopes to achieve.

“The goal of ‘Use Every Minute’ is to...help students build selfefficacy skills and/or feel more connected to campus services by showing how these services are relevant to them and will benefit them academically or holistically.

The workshops cover different topics and are set up in different formats, with both informational and interactive components,” said Williams. “Faculty can sign up to have their students attend these workshops by bringing their class... or by scheduling it when they will be at a conference. Faculty will ensure students understand why this workshop connects to their class and why it is important.”

Workshops students can participate in include: APA Workshop with Wolak Learning Center; Why Study Abroad/NSE

Opportunities Can Enrich Your College Experience; Destress for Success and HelpU: A Workshop for Stress and Mental Health; How is Class Going?

A Focus Group Session; Team Building and Creative Problem Solving; Exploring the Benefits of Experiential Education in Your Education; Connected, Engaged, and Supported: Taking Advantage of all your SNHU opportunities!; Constellation of Support; and Project BIGAS. “The workshops cover a variety of topics and can be used in any class where students would benefit from the topic,” said Williams. “For example, the Study Abroad workshop would be geared towards freshmen and sophomore students, as a senior would not be interested at that point in studying abroad or has most likely already done so. Most of the topics are applicable to all majors and all grade levels.”

Professors will notify students before class time if they are utilizing the workshop or having a workshop with set expectations in lieu of class. Student attendance and any graded assignments with the workshop will also depend on the professor who requested it.

“The only big thing I think I want to say is that these workshops are meant to be aligned with content in the course,” said MurrayChandler. “They are not “filler,”

rather they are ways to connect students to relevant supports and opportunities that will enrich the course they are already taking.”

Workshops for classes will typically be in the same classroom that the class is held in.

“There are some instances (for example, the APA Workshop with the Wolak Learning Center, which is held at the library) where students will go to an alternate location for the workshop on that particular day,” said Williams.

The “Use Every Minute” workshop is open to all faculty; however, not all teachers on campus will use the service.

“If they see a workshop they want to have presented to their students, they submit a reservation and then, once confirmed, will notify their students of the workshop date/time/location,” said Williams.

Professors will still cancel classes, but some can choose to use a workshop instead.

“It does not mean no more days off when teachers cancel [a] class.

There will be certain professors that use one or two workshops throughout the semester, and some that may not use [them] at all. It is something LEAI is offering to enhance students’ experience on campus,” said Williams.

SNHU will be launching the initiative for the Spring 2023 semester.

Robert Frost Hall (Image courtesy: Emily Blais)

8 | News

Ethics in Action: What does it mean to be a good person?

Cedric-Luamara Atlas Staff Writer Ethics in Action is an event that promotes critical and meaningful thought about ethics. The event encouraged students to consider what they believe good ethics are in society and their community, what shapes one’s philosophy and treatment of others, and how to be better people. A discussion on ethics and community action was brought to SNHU and high school students on January 18 when they were asked, “What does it mean to be a good person?”

Souheagan High School students hosted the event and partnered with the honors program in support of their work. Student facilitators volunteered in setting up the event. Guest speakers attending the event included SNHU program designer Deo Mwano, Peter Levine (Ph.D.), and SNHU alumni Sam Fuller (‘15).

“They truly took charge of the

event, were confident in their leadership roles, and were excited to be organizing discussions on ethics,” said Honors Program Coordinator and Honors Fellow, Shannon Luby (24’). “As an educator, I believe that teachers have more to be learned from students than anyone could ever imagine. Students, no matter how young or old, are powerful and capable of achieving greatness.

When an event is run by students, for students, connections are deeper, discussions are more meaningful, and there is more excitement about the event.”

Panelists Mwano, Levine, and Fuller discussed what brought them to do the work they do now, opening the door to conversation amongst the students themselves.

Students heard the perspectives of others with different backgrounds such as age, race, religion, or

education. In addition, students shared their insight and knowledge and developed empathy in understanding where their ethics come from.

Souheagan High School students also got the opportunity to experience what a night on campus is like. “[They] could express their ideas in a new setting, and make connections with new peers,” said Luby. “Similarly, college students got the opportunity to learn from their peers and high school students, [and] discuss what makes a good person from various perspectives.”

The Ethics in Action event continues to serve as a starting point in building stronger relationships within the community. Teaching students to think critically allows them to listen with compassion and curiosity, impacting the world one person at a time.

Students who led the Ethics in Action event: Lauren Bently (Souheagen High School), Jared Noorda (Souheagen High School), Linh Mai (‘25), and Zahra Jafri (‘26). (Image courtesy: Cedric-Luamara Atlas)

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SNHU Introduces Reading Day Emily Blais Marketing Manager SNHU’s first reading day will be held on Friday, February 17th. Penmen Weekly announced the rest day to the SNHU community on January 1. Classes will not be held on this day to give students extra time to prepare for upcoming midterms.

“Athletics, campus-based events, student employment, and academic activities based outside the classroom such as student teaching and internships will all continue unless otherwise noted,” said Penmen Weekly.

Dr. Cara Procek, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, discussed what inspired this event.

“All of us [teachers] remembering and knowing and looking at the students in our classes and appreciating how intense college is...and looking for an opportunity to give students some breathing space,” said Procek.

Faculty have expressed concerns about how students can adjust to the school calendar that resulted in a shorter break between semesters. A process began to help students.

“We thought if we gave students sort of a break, a reading day is like a time to absorb what you’ve learned and kind of prep yourself for the next step,” said Procek.

Procek used to be a teacher and understands the struggles students face. She expressed how much the faculty cares about students’ experiences. “[Professors] absolutely care and want the absolute best thing for students all of the time,” said Procek.

Procek hopes to get student feedback about the reading day.

“We want to find out a few things. Did it work for you? Did it make a difference? Would it have been better at a different time? Would it have been better on a different day? Those kinds of things. We want to get some

student input and then look at this as some kind of practice going forward,” said Procek.

The campus will be open and all other campus services will remain accessible on the reading day.

Emma Kennedy (‘26). (Image courtesy: Megan Charest)

10 | A&E and Opinion

A&E & Opinion

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Magician and Mentalist Kevin Li Mesmerizes Audience at CAPE Event Taylor Posik Co-Editor-in-Chief Magician and mentalist Kevin Li drew a large crowd at a CAPEhosted event in The Last Chapter Pub on January 5. This was CAPE’s fourth event of Welcome Back Week for the Spring term.

Students filed into The Pub for the 8pm show. When the show began, the space was packed.

“My initial expectations for the event was about 80 people, but my expectations were exceeded tremendously,” said CAPE President Nicholas Gaston (‘23).

“We had, I think the max amount of people there were 145, so definitely way more than I expected.”

Prior to the show, Li did close-up magic in the dining hall, increasing interest among students for the show.

Throughout the performance, Li called up students to participate in magic tricks using a deck of cards and other props. In one display, Li asked a student to solve a Rubik’s cube. Other displays involved Li guessing what card students were holding.

After the performance, Li took the time to take photos and sign autographs. Attendees such as Angelina Mankee (‘25) shared their thoughts on the performance.

“With what I saw, I was shocked and thrown off everything because I [had] never really actually watched a magic show in person before.

This was my first experience watching a magic show,” said Mankee. “Seeing the Rubik’s cube switch mid-air...blew my mind. [The show] was amazing, and I want to see it again.”

In preparation for booking a show, Gaston and other CAPE members went to a regional conference hosted by the National

Association for Campus Activities in October, where they saw Li perform. After the performance, Gaston contacted Li in November.

However, Li was unable to perform the whole hour-long show, capping his show at 40 minutes.

“Sadly...an hour after he landed he told me that TSA had taken some of his magic props and he only would be able to do a 40-minute show. A little frustrating because we paid for a full show, and he promised he would make up for it with...some close-up magic,” said Gaston. “We ended up coming up with an agreeance to do the [closeup] magic in the dining center, and then he would do his 40-minute show. He almost did it for an hourlong, which was really good. He really hyped up all those people in there, and everyone really loved it.”

Li also recapped his overall thoughts on his performance at

SNHU. “I love to perform for students, so when SNHU reached out to me, I immediately said yes,” said Li. “This is actually my first show of the new year, I said that at the start [of the show], and I’m just so excited that I got to do this show with everybody. I would love to come back and share more magic that everyone hasn’t seen yet.”

Gaston shared his thoughts on the outcome of Li’s arrival. “He did pictures as well as signed people’s stuff, which he did not have to do because it was not in the contract, so that was really cool of him to do that,” Gaston said.

Students interested in joining CAPE can attend weekly meetings in the Pub on Mondays from 6-7pm. Additionally, students can follow @capeatsnhu on Instagram for the latest updates on upcoming events.

Members of CAPE with Kevin Li. (Image courtesy: CAPE Instagram)

12 | A&E and Opinion

Club Spotlight: Gaming Club Avery Bertrand Staff Writer The Gaming Club offers a place for students to interact, build community, and enjoy their favorite games together at SNHU. The club hosts weekly game nights consisting of a variety of video games, board games, and more.

According to the Student Government Association, the Gaming Club was founded in 2010 and attracts new members every semester.

Gaming Club President Jordon Perry (‘23) joined the club during his freshman year.

He discussed the purpose of the club and what it means to gamers who aren’t necessarily interested in competitive gaming. “[The] Gaming Club is the

gateway to the non-competitive gaming community, and for people who are looking to connect with others,” said Perry. “The club itself is also a safe haven for those trying to make friends, as well as get more involved on campus and with others. As of this year, the club has about 40 attending members, with about 100 signups during last semester.”

Perry welcomes all kinds of people to the club, no matter how social they may or may not be.

“The main goals of the club are mostly to build a community.

As everyone knows, there are different types of people, such as introverts and extroverts, and [the] Gaming Club aims to make

it easier for gaming enthusiasts of any kind to find their place within the club. [In short], we want to create a comfortable environment for individuals who may struggle to interact with others.”

To conclude, the Gaming Club president summed up one of the club’s main goals: bringing people together.

“Inclusivity is one of the most important pieces of our puzzle that we use to create what we have here today,” said Perry.

The Gaming Club meets every Friday from 6-8pm in the School of Engineering, Technology, and Aeronautics (SETA), room 128AB. Interested students can also join the Discord linked on the club’s Instagram @snhu_gaming.

SNHU Gaming Club. (Image courtesy: SNHU Gaming Club Instagram)

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Jiu Jitsu Club Introduced Chris Tutt Co-Editor-in-Chief Prior to this academic year, SNHUdents had to look off campus for any sort of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) practices.

Michael Cubillas (‘23) saw this as an opportunity and worked with the Office of Student Involvement to create the SNHU Jiu-Jitsu club. The club allows students to meet new people and get some exercise while learning self-defense skills.

“I started the SNHU JiuJitsu club to become more involved on campus by giving students a new and unique club opportunity,” said Cubillas.

Cubillas began his MMA journey a few years ago. His dedication to the sport motivates him to share his passion and give students an opportunity to

try something new.

“I’ve been training Jiu-Jitsu for three years and I’m hoping this club will raise awareness for the martial art and encourage people to try it who otherwise wouldn’t have,” said Cubillas.

MMA gained traction in recent years, due in part to the growth of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been trending with members of the student body’s generation. Some research even states that MMA has grown to be one of the top sports in the entire world.

While Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sport, one of its main principles is defense. Cubillas is taking the opportunity to teach his fellow clubmates the importance of

that principle.

“The other goal is to build members’ confidence by instilling in them a better understanding of what it takes to defend themselves,” said Cubillas.

The club already has up to twelve members but is actively seeking more. Cubillas hopes to eventually test members’ knowledge and have the club compete.

“We hope to one day test what they learn in practice in [a] competition,” said Cubillas.

Those interested in joining the club can email Cubillas at michael.cubillas@snhu. edu or the Office of Student Involvement at involvement@ snhu.edu.

Jiu-Jitsu Club (image courtesy: Michael Cubillas)

14 | Lifestyle

Lifestyle

The Penmen Press | 15

How To Communicate With Professors Jon Boroshok Faculty Adviser One of the challenges of being a college student is knowing how and when to communicate with professors.

Students may also find it difficult to reach out for help from other campus resources. These can be simple and beneficial skills if done correctly.

SNHU professors and professional staff were surveyed to help with common communication opportunities for students.

How and When to Contact a Professor SNHU’s “official” communications channels are email and Microsoft Teams. The best way to reach a professor is an email sent during normal business hours (Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm).

Communication Assistant Professor Dave Humphreys said that while the time of day doesn’t matter, don’t expect an immediate reply if it’s outside of “school” hours.

Professors also hold “office hours,” which are designated times to be available for student contact. Many professors have open-door policies, meaning that if their office door is open, students are welcome to drop in.

Students will have easier access to faculty and services if they don’t save assignments to nights and weekends.

Otherwise, prepare to wait until regular business hours for a response.

Texting professors is usually not recommended; however, if an emergency arises, students should include their first and last names so the professors will

know which “Hailey” is texting.

If emailing someone, start the email professionally, with “Dear Professor,” rather than “Hey.” Remember that this is still a business communique.

Deadlines and Late Work Just like in the world outside of academia, deadlines must be met. While some high schools accepted late work, colleges generally don’t. Professors explain their late work policies on the syllabus. Students are responsible for reading the syllabus and knowing deadline rules without expecting reminders. Once again, proper communication is the key.

“While I don’t accept late work, if my students communicate with me about challenges they are having, we can develop a plan together to make sure they are on the path to being successful,” said English Department Lecturer Selina Marcille. “I can’t say yes or no definitively for others, but if you are regularly communicative with your instructors, you have a better shot of them working with you when things do come up that prevent you from submitting work on time.”

Missed and Misunderstood Assignments The best advice is to not miss an assignment, but when that happens, students should communicate with their professor immediately. That’s also true for misunderstood directions. Attending office hours sends a positive message that the students take their work seriously.

An email or Teams message is also acceptable but should be sent as soon as possible. Look at Brightspace for additional resources or clarifications.

Sometimes professors give second chances for incorrectly completed assignments. Never be afraid to ask.

Don’t skip the next class because of a missed assignment. Professors are looking to help students, not penalize them. Don’t wait and then ask for “extra credit” assignments at the end of the semester. That creates more work for the professor because a student didn’t do the work.

Appealing a Grade When done respectfully, appealing a grade is a great way to work with a professor. An in-person conversation during office hours is the best method.

Rather than a defensive confrontation, ask the professor what would have helped make the assignment better. Explain the thought process that went into the assignment. This helps demonstrate an understanding of the material or can better pinpoint where and how the professor can help.

“I’m always happy to have a conversation surrounding grades. Mistakes can be made and sometimes it’s good to have your point of view. If you have any concerns, just reach out or grab me after class,” said Humphreys.

Learning Center Referrals SNHU has many resources to help students, ranging from Residence Life to Wellness to

16 | Lifestyle

the Wolak Learning Center, located on the second floor of the SNHU Library. All of these are included as part of tuition and should be taken advantage of.

One benefit of SNHU’s small, in-person classes is that professors get to know individual students and can see when they may struggle.

In those cases, they may recommend that the student reach out to the Wolak Learning Center for help. That doesn’t mean the student is failing – it means the professor thinks the student can do their best work with a little more guidance. For some students, it can make the difference between passing or

failing, while for others it can help a B student earn an A. “Our peer educators are available to help you take a positive step towards meeting your own academic goals,” said Ashley Liadis, Director of the Wolak Learning Center.

“Tutoring is available to all students; in fact, some of our own peer educators are tutored by other peer educators on our team.” Students can also request academic assistance on their own.

Conflict Resolution In the event of a conflict, students should always speak with their professor first. If that

does not solve the issue, there are next steps. The department coordinator comes next, and the department chair is always a good first step, followed by the dean if that professor happens to be the chair.

“Ultimately, if you’re facing a situation like that, it might be worth it to have a conversation with another trusted third-party faculty member to get their opinion on how to proceed,” said Humphreys.

By communicating and working with professors, students are likely to find a receptive partner in their education, and receive any assistance needed to help them be the best they can be.

Student utilizing teacher office hours. (Image courtesy: Megan Charest)

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Sports

18 | Sports

Mens Basketball Nets Six Straight Wins Adam Dufault Sports Editor After starting the season with just four wins to six losses, SNHU men’s basketball went on to win seven in an eight-game stretch, including six consecutive wins. Multiple players received awards for their performances within the university and the NE10 conference.

Guard Ethan Okwuosa (‘25) was awarded SNHU Student Athlete of the Week the week of December 12, 2022. He spoke on what this award means and how his experience with SNHU basketball has been thus far.

“I think it’s an overall testament to who we are, our team culture…I feel like everyone does well in their own area,” said Okwuosa. “What I like about this team is we all come from different [programs and cultures] so we all just learn from each other.”

He continued to explain what a practice entails and the type of work that the team puts in every day.

“It’s a lot of preparation and competitive drills to sharpen up our skills as far as transition defense…

[A lot] of tuning up, a lot of shooting, but as far as skill-work, that’s on us,” said Okwuosa.

He concluded by discussing how he thinks this team has capitalized on recent momentum despite its inconsistent start to the season.

“If only you could have seen how we were at the beginning of the year. We had all the pieces, we just couldn’t put it together. It was [a tough start]. Not as far as how we were playing, but as far as within ourselves,” said Okwuosa.

“We started to trust each other, play off of one another, compliment each other, and things like that are showing.”

Teammate and fellow guard

Matt Becht (‘24) won NE10 Player of the Week the week of December 5, 2022. He also received SNHU Student Athlete of the Week honors the same week.

Becht spoke on how awards tie into the team dynamic, and what the season has been like thus far.

“I feel like it’s a testament to hard work and the environment that we have. We’ve got a lot of guys who want each other to succeed and I think it’s not about one person’s recognition…All the individual awards are great, but I think it just shows what a good group of guys we have,” said Becht.

He spoke on the team dynamic and the chemistry that exists

between teammates, as well as on the aspect of intrasquad rivalry.

“We definitely compete with each other…Guys want to be great, and sometimes that clashes, which is a good thing,” said Becht.

He went on to discuss what this season means to him and how he looks at what it can be.

“We have used the mantra ‘play for each other.’ I think at the beginning of the year it was kind of visible that we weren’t playing for each other…Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve handled a lot of adversity and I think we have stuck together,” said Becht. “If we stick together, [winning a championship] can become a reality.”

Ethan Okwuosa, Number 1 (Image Courtesy: Elise Fasano)

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SNHU Women’s Track Season Starts Up Lillian Nelson Lifestyle Editor The SNHU women’s track and field started their indoor season at the Art Kadish Elm City Challenge in New Haven, CT on December 2. The team was ranked first in the NE10 coaches’ preseason poll via unanimous decision.

Graduate student and runner Ashley Corcoran (‘23) talked about her tenure with SNHU track and field and cross country.

“My role on the team is to be a leader and role model for my teammates and the future of our track program. As the oldest person on the team, I’ve seen this team be built from the bottom up. I want to help each one of my teammates grow into amazing runners and people and continue to grow our program,” said Corcoran.

Having come in second place as a team last indoor season, Corcoran spoke on how this season offers an opportunity for redemption.

“This season is pretty big for us. Last year we won [the] outdoor track NE10s [championship] and this year we won [the] cross country NE10s, so as a team we are more motivated than ever to show the conference what SNHU is made of. Personally, this is my last indoor season, so I’m ready to give it everything I got and leave it all out on the track,” said Corcoran.

Corcoran also talked about what she’s looking forward to in this coming season.

“This season I am looking forward to working and training as a whole team. We all play a part of a bigger picture, and I can’t wait to support each other [and] work together to reach our big goals,” said Corcoran.

Corcoran spoke about the dynamic in her previous running squads, whether it be on the track or in cross country.

“What I miss about last season

is the team culture we [had] in cross country. There’s something about all racing together in the same race and going through that together. It creates a bond like no other,” said Corcoran.

Corcoran talked about which of her achievements from last season she most valued.

“Personally, I had so many amazing achievements last season in cross country. I won the conference and the region and was awarded Athlete of the Year. My team and I then raced at Nationals in Seattle. It was truly an incredible way to end my cross-country career,” said Corcoran.

Head Coach Lex Butler reflected on the past season and what he believes the team can do this time around.

“We had our best season of indoor and outdoor since the team was created back in 2015. We finished runner up at the NE10 Indoor Conference Championship and won our first program Conference Championship at the NE10 Outdoor Championship,” said Butler.

With the season underway, Butler mentioned how he feels the team has done thus far.

“We’ve had a decent start to the season. We are still working on building speed [and] fitness and fine-tuning some more of the technical aspects....I think we’re right where we need to be in order to peak at our conference championship,” said Butler.

Butler also talked about how it takes time for the team to build up to their greatest energy.

“We are training hard and no one is feeling their best come meet day right now. This is by design.

In a couple of weeks, our volume will start to drop, our intensity will increase and they will begin to get that ‘pop’ back that they’re probably missing right now. Track and field... is a mentally tough and emotionally exhausting sport,” said Butler.

Butler expressed his hopes and excitement for what this season has to offer.

“I know this sounds cheesy, but I’m excited that they have [a] new team and this will be the only team of its kind ever....I’m excited they have the opportunity to be the best they have ever been at some point this season. I’m excited to see how each of them grow as a student, athlete, and person by the end of the year,” said Butler.

Womens Track Practicing (Image courtesy: Elise Fasano)

20 | Sports