As Utah State University moves forward with major structural changes, especially the merging of five academic colleges into two, many students are experiencing uncertainty and concern about the future of academic communities and identities.
These transitions mark a significant shift in how the university operates, but they do not change The Utah Statesman’s mission to elevate student voices and recognize individual achievements. The Statesman Editorial Board will continue to highlight a diverse range of students from all areas of study, reflecting the unique paths, accomplishments and contributions that define the student experience at USU regardless of shifting college boundaries.
Academic colleges play an important role in shaping campus life, but identity and impact extend far beyond administrative structures. The upcoming graduate features will showcase students based on personal jour-
neys, community involvement and academic dedication — not solely by departmental affiliation or college designation.
Graduating students have stories worth sharing, and their peers deserve recognition. Every student’s story adds value to the larger narrative of USU, and this publication remains dedicated to honoring those voices during this time of transition.
The Statesman will continue to celebrate the strength, diversity and resilience of the graduating class — now and always.
— The Editorial Board
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY Kelly Winter
College of Veterinary Medicine sees first ever graduate Colton Nelson
By Alici Archibald STATESMAN REPORTER
Colton Nelson made history this spring as he became USU’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s first-ever graduate.
Nelson, a Vermont native, came to USU after earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences with a minor in chemistry from St. Michael’s College. He had been searching for research opportunities when he found USU’s new veterinary medicine school.
Nelson said that what drew him to USU was the lab and working environment.
“It’s been very awesome here,” Nelson said.
Nelson came in contact with Mirella Meyer-Ficca, associate professor in animal, dairy and veterinary sciences. He was interested in the research MeyerFicca was leading in regard to toxicology, epigenetics and reproductive studies.
“He was just such a nice person. He met everyone in the lab. I think everyone felt he would be a good fit to join us,” MeyerFicca said.
While most of the lab work was done using mice, Nelson was also able to analyze a small number of human samples. The team collaborated with a clinician from the University of Washington, comparing NAD levels and DNA damage in blood and sperm samples.
Instead of moving on after his master’s degree, Nelson is staying at USU. He will be pursuing a doctorate degree in the same lab, aiming to explore NAD’s influence on a wider range of reproductive functions.
“He also, together with two other graduate students in the lab, helped write a review article that was published last year. He went on a meet at an international conference last year. He published his first article as a co-author last year, and now he’s continuing to study what processes kind of are impaired when NAD is low. Right now, he’s looking at some analysis with a new strain that potentially can
Colton and think he has gotten to be just an integral part of our lab family. So, it’s a pleasure to work with him,” MeyerFicca said.
... there’s still always so much more to learn.
Three years since starting his master’s, Nelson has become a trailblazer. This week, he will graduate as the first student to complete the master of biomedical sciences program, housed in the Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences Department. His research focused on reproductive aging, a growing field of interest as more people delay parenthood into their 30s and 40s.
— Colton Nelson
show us if the mitochondria has some defects or if there’s too much oxidative stress in there,” Meyer-Ficca said.
“I’m pretty open on whether I stay in academia or whether I go into industry,” Nelson said, when asked about his future plans.
According to a statement by Meyer in Utah State Today, USU’s biomedical sciences program now includes seven graduate students.
“The College of Veterinary Medicine is looking forward to graduating many more master’s, and hopefully, also its first doctor of biomedical science in the future,” Meyer said.
Working under the mentorship of Ralph G. Meyer, department head and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Nelson studied how aging in men affects sperm quality.
Specifically, Nelson looked at nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD, a key metabolite and coenzyme that plays a crucial role in DNA and cellular repair.
“My hypothesis was that with declining NAD levels, you would see increased DNA damage in the sperm,” Nelson said.
If he got the choice, however, he said he would stay in academia.
“I just want to do research. I think it’s really cool, and there’s always new techniques to learn. I’ve learned so much here. It’s actually incredible to think where I started two years ago and where I am now knowledge-wise in my field. It’s kind of incredible, but there’s still always so much more to learn,” Nelson said.
“He is just a very, very nice person. I think everyone in our team really likes
Alici Archibald is studying journalism and loves all things related to news. When not shooting photo or video, Alici can be found DJ-ing her Aggie Radio show “Music Mix.”
— a.archibald@usu.edu
PHOTO BY Alici Archibald
Colton Nelson, USU’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s first-ever graduate on April 21.
From piano to finance: Joesph Morrissey’s notes on busi-
By Emma Shelite STATESMAN REPORTER
From Pocatello, Idaho — “the gem in Gem State,” as he puts it — Joseph Morrissey is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, a Bachelor of Science in finance and a minor in Russian. His academic journey at Utah State has been marked by intellectual curiosity, quiet leadership and a passion for bridging cultures.
“I originally planned to major in piano performance and pedagogy, but after marinating for a while in the business school, I decided I wanted to dual major in economics and finance,” Morrissey said. “I love economics, and I have found that this is not something that most people can say.” That combination of passion and drive quickly stood out to his mentors. Todd Griffith, associate professor in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, mentored Morrissey during a global learning trip to Tokyo.
“Joseph’s intrinsic motivation and commitment to learning truly set him apart,” Griffith said. “He’s kind, thoughtful and incredibly genuine. He brings out the best in others simply by being himself.”
In the Russian program, professor Irina McLaughlin noticed the same traits, along with a rare depth of linguistic and cultural insight.
“He really wanted to understand Russian culture from the inside,” McLaughlin said. “His work showed not just linguistic skill but emotional and cultural insight. He asked
questions that showed he was thinking about the bigger picture.”
That intellectual curiosity extended far beyond the classroom. Morrissey served in leadership roles with the Slavic Club and the Huntsman Scholar Program and interned with KeyBank Real Estate Capital in Kansas — an opportunity that led to ongoing work during the school year.
For Morrissey, one of the most defining academic challenges came during a business law and ethics course.
“That professor eradicated prior perspectives I held and reshaped my views on learning altogether,” Morrissey said. “It was extraordinarily demanding. I was stretched more than ever, but I must credit that same professor for my perseverance.”
As he prepares to relocate to Kansas City, Missouri with his wife Laynie, Morrissey has accepted a position with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Laynie will begin an audit internship with KPMG.
Emma Shelite is a junior pursuing a degree in communications and journalism. Her writing is often fueled by Dr Pepper. When in the newsroom, Emma always brings good vibes and immaculate laughter.
— emma.shelite@usu.edu
April 11
K-9 Sage was asked to help with traffic control and to walk in a parade with around 200 participants from the Early Childhood Education and Research Center Building to the Quad, where they had a “dance party.”
April 14
A report of a suspicious person in the Noelle E. Cockett Life Sciences Building was received. Officers responded to the location and gathered information from the claimant about the suspect and advised them to reach out if they had any more safety concerns.
April 17
K-9 Sage, along with other dogs, attended a “Stress Bust” event at the HPER. Sage and the other dogs spent time and interacted with students during the event.
April 18
Officers responded to a suspicious odor at the Merrill-Cazier Library. A third party reported the smell of something burning on the first floor near the Writing Center and Innovation Hub. USUPD officers arrived on scene after fire personnel and were advised that no odors or anything burning in the area were observed.
PHOTO BY Hazel Harris
Joseph Morrissey poses for a photo outside Old Main on April 21.
First-generation graduate Laurie Smith will receive a master’s in social work
By Bailey Daniels STATESMAN REPORTER
Laurie Smith, the first to graduate in her family, will be paving the way across the stage this week to retrieve her master’s degree in social work from Utah State University.
After years of involvement at USU, Smith is sad to be done but excited for the future. As she reflected on her time as a student, she found it full of advocacy and service. She said what she will miss most about her time at the school is her cohort and the students she was able to work and interact with.
“They’ve been so amazing to be a part of and get to know,” Smith said. “I won’t be seeing them every week and networking as closely, but I think that we’ll still keep in touch.”
After graduating in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a minor in human development and family studies, her choice to pursue a master’s degree in social work aligns with her desire to help others.
According to usu.edu, the master of social work program emphasizes the importance of human relationships, honoring people’s worth and dignity and practicing these values with competence. Currently the admissions officer for the School of Graduate Studies, Smith is looking for a job more aligned with social work once she graduates.
Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Smith hopes to continue living and working in Logan.
“[I’m] just doing a lot of interviews right now and waiting,” Smith said. “The majority of the interviews I’ve been doing are here at Utah State, which has been nice.”
Smith has participated in many different parts of Aggie life throughout her time at USU. These include organizing the most recent Grad Gala as the grad life director on the Graduate Student Council and getting voted as Miss People’s Choice in the 2019 Miss USU.
“The Miss USU pageant in my undergrad — that was probably the coolest experience I’ve ever had,” Smith said. “Just being out there kind of out of my comfort zone and being able to do a talent was super fun.”
For her talent in the pageant, Smith teamed up with the Latin Dance Club, one student in which taught her a dance and performed it with her.
Another large part of her time at USU was filled with research. Passionate about aiding her community, Smith has participated in meaningful projects like the Tohi Lab. The lab focused on multicultural mental health.
As written on usu.edu, “Tohi is the Cherokee word for wellness, the ideal state of being, peace.”
While pursuing her undergrad, Smith worked as a research assistant for associate professor Melissa Tehee in the psychology department. Tehee is also the director of the American Indian Support Project,
which addresses the shortage of Native American mental health professionals.
Smith aided Tehee in research for a paper titled “Perceptions of disabilities among Native Americans within the state of Utah” and another that is currently under review titled “CulturallyBased Conceptualization of Mental Health Needs of Indigenous North American Youth.”
In the first year of Smith’s master’s program, she opted to work with Tehee once again for an internship. According to Tehee, Smith did a lot of different things within her time as an intern, but she spoke about some of the ones that stood out the most to her.
“Providing social opportunities for Native students — getting an idea of what other grad students needed,” Tehee said. “But she also worked on some of the things related to the Indian Child Welfare Act, and it was going up before the Supreme Court.”
Despite all of her different projects and responsibilities, Smith was still a student through it all. Her favorite class she took at USU was HDFS 3700: Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness.
“It felt like a really good class for the general population to take. It talked about symptoms of mental illness, and it talked about ways that you can connect individuals to resources or respond to some of the concerns they have in a trauma-informed way,” Smith said.
Her enjoyment of this class aligns with much of what she did during higher education: connecting people to resources and advocacy. She also helped plan the National Multicultural Conference and Summit in Santa Fe, New Mexico, an event that brings people together to explore multiculturalism and social justice in mental health.
“I think her ability to talk with people and really understand where they’re coming from is going to take her really far,” Tehee said. “She’s worked with students in a variety of ways on campus over the years, and she can really see the big picture. USU would be really lucky if they keep her here.”
If Smith’s career does lead to her remaining at USU, she will be sure to continue enjoying her favorite coconut, almond and fudge ice cream: Aggie Joy.
Bailey Daniels was recently awarded Rookie of the Year for her work with The Utah Statesman. She is an avid lover of boba, Lana Del Rey, sweet treats and all things whimsical.
— bailey.daniels@usu.edu
PHOTO BY Aubrey Holdaway
Graduate Laurie Smith poses for a headshot outside the TSC on April 18.
Aspen Walker: Leaving a mark on campus rec
By Esther Owens STATESMAN REPORTER
When Aspen Walker came to Utah State University as a first-year student, she wasn’t sure what path she wanted to pursue.
Born in Wyoming, Walker grew up moving around, living in Utah, Alaska, Australia and Canada. Walker first toured USU during her ninth-grade year of high school, and it piqued her interest.
“My senior year, I came back, and it just felt like home. It felt like such a good community, and it’s so pretty,” Walker said. “I had applied to a bunch of other schools. I was pretty set on going to school in Oregon, and then I just felt like I should go here.”
Walker spent a year and a half in school before she decided what she wanted to study.
“I hate the pressure that school puts on you to pick a major,” Walker said. “I think it’s so frustrating because a lot of people will get so far in because they just force themselves to choose, and then they end up switching.”
Walker declared a major in communication studies spring semester of her sophomore year after taking some communications classes and feeling like it would be a perfect fit.
As she has pursued her degree and gotten involved in different areas, Walker said she’s grown significantly.
“I think I would say I’m almost a completely different person from freshman year to now,” she said. “I feel like college forces a lot of growth out of you in the best way.”
Part of her growth came from dealing with setbacks during college. Walker was initially pursuing a minor in hotel management but had to drop it after some of the requirements were changed.
“But now that I’m so heavily involved in marketing and I’ve had a marketing internship as well, I love that
direction,” Walker said. “I think it pairs really well with communications, and I think that opens a lot of doors.”
Walker will graduate with minors in marketing and marketing design and is sometimes known as “Campus Rec’s Marketing Guru.”
Walker works as the marketing assistant for USU Campus Recreation, running their social media pages and co-hosting “The Rec Room” podcast, offering a behind-the-scenes look at campus rec. She has also worked as a campus rec camp counselor and at the ARC.
“I think campus rec is slept on,” Walker said. “It’s just such a good way to get active and be involved. Campus rec also has a ton of activities and events going on all the time, and I think it’s a great way to know people and show face, and it’s just a really fun environment.”
Walker said getting involved is the biggest piece of advice she would give to someone in college.
“Utah State has such a good community to give if you want to tap into it, and there’s so much here to serve you,” Walker said. “I have been super involved in tons of different things in my time here, and I think you should always put your eggs in multiple baskets and spread yourself out.”
Walker said while getting involved in extracurriculars in high school can feel like more of a competition for resume boosters, that’s not the case in college.
“It’s really just you getting involved for yourself and for your own growth and your own excitement, and I think that’s so important to learn about,” Walker said. Walker also encourages students to use jobs as a way to take advantage of opportunities.
“Something I wish I did was find better jobs that served my personality,” Walker said. “I found out that a group fitness instructor would have been so fun for me. I wish I knew about that. I wish I got certified and kind of went that route. I feel like there’s a lot of opportunity for you to find something that you really enjoy and open a new door, especially in college when there’s so many other things going on.”
Walker credits her parents as her biggest support throughout her college career. Her mother Michelle Walker said she admires the way Aspen takes things head-on.
“Aspen has always forged her own path,” Michelle said. “She’s always known herself, which is so impressive. A lot of people don’t know themselves, and she’s been pretty confident in finding her way and doing it her way.”
Michelle said her daughter is a natural leader.
“She just has this magnanimous personality, and she can just bring incredible light and positivity to a situation,” Michelle said. “She just is a natural force.” Aspen plans to continue leaning into her passions.
“As for more long-term goals, I hope to work my way up in marketing or truly just find a job that I’m passionate about and care about but that can also sustain me,” Aspen said. “And maybe eventually move out of Utah.”
After she graduates in May, Aspen will be working as a business development and operations intern with the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City. She is also getting married this summer.
“I’m just really excited to see how she’s going to make her mark in people’s lives around her,” Michelle said.
find
— esther.owens@usu.edu
Esther Owens is a sophomore studying journalism. When she’s not busy working on a story, you can
her at the climbing wall.
PHOTO BY Aubrey Holdaway
Aspen Walker posing for a photo outside the TSC on April 17.
Sophia Hessami lights the future
By Lacey Cintron STATESMAN REPORTER
Biological engineering major Sophia Hessami has spent the past four years conducting innovative research and experiments as part of USU’s tissue engineering lab, where students and faculty use light and nanotechnology to detect diseases and perform other laser-based experiments.
“What made my experience at USU was undergraduate research,” Hessami said. “The Undergraduate Research Fellowship program allowed me to have so much handson experience applying the things that I’ve learned in the classroom and have the opportunity to get my hands dirty.”
Associate professor of biological engineering Elizabeth Vargis is head of the tissue engineering lab. Vargis’ lab focuses on understanding the causes, factors and progression of diseases such as muscular atrophy and macular degeneration.
Hessami began her journey into the realm of research and biological science as a senior in high school, applying to USU as an Undergraduate Research Fellow.
“When I read Sophia’s application, it was just so wellthought-out. She talked about what she did during the pandemic and her tutoring business,” Vargis said. “At the end, she says she would love to be a research fellow in my lab because she’s interested in understanding disease and doing disease modeling.”
Even prior to starting at USU, Vargis said Hessami showed promise and enthusiasm.
“She’s just about graduated high school — she has not started Utah State — and we start emailing,” Vargis said. “Even through email, it was clear how excited she was to do research and be involved.”
Upon acceptance to USU, Hessami began attending lab meetings and engaging with Vargis’ research alongside other undergraduate and graduate students.
“I started by helping a master’s student with his project, and as I’ve grown as a researcher, I’ve had the ability to lead my own project,” Hessami said.
Hessami’s research currently focuses on age-related macular degeneration. This disease is characterized by damage to the retina, resulting in central vision loss.
“I’m looking at how UV affects the cells that are affected by this disease — those are your retinal pigment epithelial cells,” Hessami said. “I’m looking at how different exposure levels of UV could potentially result in early stages of the disease.”
In March, Hessami was named a 2024 Goldwater Scholar, a prestigious award that recognizes over 200 exemplary students in STEM from across the country.
“At Utah State, we go through the cohort that applied and pick three to five students. We have a committee of other faculty in STEM formed to decide who’s the best,” Vargis said. “What happened last year with Sophia — there was no, ‘Let’s think about her’ — she was the top.”
The Goldwater Scholarship, founded in 1986 and named after former senator Barry Goldwater, is open to sophomores and juniors and awards $7,500 for every year left in a student’s degree. Applying is a rigorous process, asking applicants to meet eligibility criteria, submit a research essay and provide three letters of recommendation.
Vargis played an influential role in Hessami’s application, helping to convey Hessami’s ability as a scientist and capabilities as a student.
“I think this is one of the biggest indicators of a successful scientist. It’s not that you dreamt up this perfect experiment that works perfectly the first time but that you know it’s going to fail and you’re ready for it — you have these backup plans,” Vargis said. “I helped her refine her essays and make it clear that she has the plans.”
Hessami was also named USU’s 2025 Scholar of the Year at the 67th Robins Awards for her academic prowess.
“From a researcher and supervisor point of view, she’s really resilient,” Vargis said. “She’s had research and personal setbacks which have affected her physically, mentally and emotionally. She’s very clear about setting boundaries but coming back. She uses time away to regroup, refocus and come up with the plan for the next week, month and whole semester.”
“Everything but the Kitchen Sink” is hosted by drummer Claire Ott and bassist Kelly Winter. As the name suggests, they talk about everything from skateboarding and the struggle of parking on campus to personal anecdotes and their intense love of music. Listen to them yap every Monday at 5:30 p.m. on Aggie Radio 92.3 FM.
Lacey Cintron is majoring in psychology. She loves learning about the human mind, sharing stories and naps.
— lacey.cintron@usu.edu
Light My Love Greta Van Fleet
Hotel California Eagles
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) Santana
12:30
Cardinal Bloom
Marinade DOPE LEMON
PHOTO BY Jack Burton
Sophia Hessami poses for a photo outside the TSC on April 21.
One-man show Ethan Shaw
By Essence Barnes STATESMAN REPORTER
Ethan Shaw grew up in the small town of Kimberly, Idaho listening to talk radio and planning a future in science, technology, engineering and math. Now, he’s graduating from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting and a one-man show he wrote, produced and directed under his belt.
“My first year here, I was double majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology,” Shaw said. “I just remember feeling this intense happiness with what I had done in the STEM field but this simultaneous feeling of a lack of satisfaction.”
Shaw had been involved in theater on and off since sixth grade, but it wasn’t until college he realized his passion for the stage burned brighter than his love for science. The turning point came in the form of a serendipitous email Shaw received a day after sitting down and reflecting on his first year as a STEM major.
“The next day, one of the professors in the theater department responded to an email I had sent a year prior,” Shaw said. “He said, ‘Hey, I saw you emailed about how to be involved in theater as a non-major – I’m so sorry I never responded. How would you feel about just becoming a major and auditioning for the program?’ It was literally less than 24 hours after I had been thinking those thoughts.”
After receiving the email, Shaw auditioned for the theater program just three days before the semester started and was quickly accepted.
“I truly believe that I stumbled into the best acting program Utah has to offer,” Shaw said. “We eat, breathe and sleep theater.”
Shaw’s initiative didn’t go unnoticed by faculty. According to Richie Call, head of the USU Department of Theatre Arts, Shaw quickly threw himself into his work and consistently looked for chances to develop as an actor. “He’s really scrappy, and he has sought out opportunities when he wasn’t needed for shows here in our main stage
season,” Call said. “Some community theaters, some professional theaters during the summer – he just loves doing the work and so he goes out to find it.”
While his main emphasis is in acting, Shaw decided to try his hand at some other disciplines for his Honors Capstone project. This long-form project is a requirement for students wanting to graduate with university honors.
“For my Honors Capstone I wrote, marketed, produced, directed and performed in a one-man show of my own creation,” Shaw said. “That was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done as far as theater goes.”
Shaw was inspired to produce a one-man show after a professor asked his Theatre History and Literature II class what they think theater should be.
“I think theater should move in a direction where we are utilizing multiple styles within a single play or a single script,” Shaw said. “I think typically in film, theater and TV, we stick to one style, and most of the time, that style is realism, but I’ve always been drawn to the anti-realistic styles and the ways that they pose realistic themes in non-realistic styles.”
While Shaw worked loosely with theater faculty at USU to ask questions and gain insight into the show-making process, he did most everything himself.
Instead of incorporating the typical one or two artistic styles into his show, Shaw wondered if he could pull off incorporating nine: expressionism, realism, absurdism, surrealism, naturalism, futurism, dada, theatre of cruelty and epic theatre. This decision marked the start of a long 13-month process for Shaw.
“As an actor, I’ve spent so many years learning how to act and the technique and how to be believable and experience honestly and truthfully given an imaginary circumstance,” Shaw said. “In order to produce this play, I had to do a lot of things that I didn’t have experience with, like playwriting and directing and producing and marketing. Learning how to do all of those new things was really tough.”
Shaw created a story following a man experiencing homelessness who attempts to take shelter in a bar for the night. After being chased by angry bartenders up the stairs and through the roof of the building, the man falls onto the stage. The show officially begins as he spirals into existential questioning and exhaustion.
“He is grappling with all these societal expectations and his personal expectations and the expectations of his friends and family,” Shaw said. “He is trying to figure out which expectations are reasonable and which are not and dealing with how some societal expectations are unrealistic. The longer the night travels on, the more anti-realistic it becomes as he becomes more sleep deprived and hungry.”
Shaw wanted his show to explore and normalize the not-so-glamorous parts of being alive.
“To be human is to be messy, and society, I think, urges us to turn the light off or sweep it under the rug or brush aside those certain aspects of the human experience,” Shaw said. “It’s nice to look nice and competent and put together in front of people, but when it comes down to it, the way to make theater impactful and meaningful is to talk about the less glorious parts of being a human.”
“I was working on a one-man show at the same time, but I was working with a director, a playwright, the writer of the original source material, a lighting designer, a sound designer, a set designer,” Call said. “That’s already more people than I can count on one hand, and we were all collaborating to do this thing together. Ethan was doing most of those things on his own, and so that’s what stood out to me the most — is just how much he was tackling,” Shaw said what kept him going throughout this process and helped him reach the finish line was a deep-rooted feeling of honor and respect for the art of theater.
“There’s only a certain amount of professionalism you can have when you’re ignorant, and now that I have less ignorance, I can have more professionalism. Once you put in a certain amount of hours and tears and sweat and work into the art, you can now have this not-ignorant respect for it,” Shaw said. “That is what Utah State’s given to me, and it’s made me a professional competitor in the professional world.”
Essence Barnes is a second-year student majoring in journalism and minoring in environmental studies. She enjoys reading, writing and caffeine.
PHOTO BY Hazel Harris
Ethan Shaw poses for a photo in the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art on April 17.
Cleared for takeoff: Brady Bartlett reaches the sky
By Layla Alnadar STATESMAN REPORTER
Northern California native Brady Bartlett was drawn to Utah State University’s aviation program four years ago and will graduate this semester with a degree in aviation technology — professional pilot and minors in air traffic control and unmanned aircraft systems.
“The aviation program has gotten really big since I’ve been here,” Bartlett said. “There’s a new flight simulator that we just bought for about one and a half million dollars shipped from New Zealand.”
Bartlett said the school has been investing in new technologies for jet-training programs and USU’s hands-on program closely mimics real airline training, helping him better prepare for post-grad life.
“Four years went by really fast,” Bartlett said. “I’ve had an opportunity to talk to a lot of incoming students, and you got to let them know that it’s going to be tough but you have to stick to it. For incoming flight students, fly as much as you can.”
Bartlett says one of the single most important things he did in his undergrad was joining the USU Flight Team, which competes intercollegiately, participating in landing and navigation contests.
“Coming into it, I didn’t really understand what the college experience is going to be like. It was a really new thing coming from California and moving out here to Utah, but I think meeting people really improved my experience,” Bartlett said. “Clubs, in particular [Flight Team], brought me out of my shell and helped me become a better pilot. I was really able to settle in and make friends.”
Bartlett noted the importance of the experiences students gain outside of classrooms, especially in the job market now.
“Most schools get you through your ratings, you become a flight instructor and the first time you’re actually sitting in a simulator for a jet is when you’re in airline training,” Bartlett said. “When I started Utah State, there was a really big hiring boom, but now it’s kind of dying down. It’s been really eye-opening to how flexible I need to be in this industry.”
Bartlett’s flight instructor Luca Portellas guides students from learning how to fly an airplane to becoming instructors themselves.
“Utah State is in a very unique training location with the mountains around us and to the northeast, red deserts to the south and large valleys to the north,” Portellas said. “Every trip I take is a new adventure. Places I go every day are things many people can only dream about.”
Portellas said the size of the program has doubled and is nearly outgrowing the Logan campus.
“It shows no signs of slowing down — the hidden gem of USU doesn’t appear to be hidden anymore,” Portellas said. “We are even at the point where they have had to start limiting the amount of incoming students for Logan campus.”
Portellas says the new Boeing 737 simulator is a one of a kind program Utah State provides. The jet-training pro-
gram upgrades are being led by a former Delta Airlines pilot who plans to bring on Utah State alumni to fly with the students in the simulators.
“Everyone loves what they do and helped lead what I think has been the biggest phase of growth for USU aviation,” Portellas said. “As a student here, I was known personally by most of the professors and admins. Every single one, to this day, is willing to go out of their way to help me if I ever need it.”
Amid major changes across campuses for USU and other colleges, Bartlett said there may be impacts to future flight fees.
“I’m worried that it might affect funding with all the budget cuts,” Bartlett said. “This past semester in particular, there was a big increase in flight fees, on par with other flight schools that have been historically more
expensive. It might be related to how the school’s moving money around. Everything’s kind of just getting more expensive.”
Bartlett says USU’s accelerated aviation program coupled with its low cost compared to other schools is what gives it its competitive edge, which may be in jeopardy following budget cuts and program changes.
“It’s a lot of perseverance and work, and I think the flight program in general is unlike anything else on campus,”
Bartlett said. “You have that one-on-one relationship with your instructor. It can be a three-hour endeavor when scheduling a flight and driving out to the airport. It is a lot to manage.”
Bartlett is beginning a flight instructor job in California where he hoped to record 1,000 hours of flight time before manning a small airline.
“Most people — they say you get to the regionals and you want leave immediately. Some people get there and they love it and they love being able to be home every night. Some people want to go to a major and fly international.” Bartlett said.
Layla Alnadar is studying public health. She loves music, hiking, writing and the sun.
— layla.abdulmohsin@usu.edu
PHOTO BY Claire Ott
PHOTO BY Aubrey Holdaway
Brady Bartlett poses for a photo outside the TSC on April 17.
The Utah Statesman has highlighted 50 Influential Aggies each year since 2015.
The individuals were nominated by students, faculty, staff and the campus community, then selected by our Editorial Board. The Utah Statesman staff is privileged to honor these people for their contributions to Utah State University.
To view the 50 Influential Aggies from past years, visit usustatesman.com/50-aggies.
Bryan Stalvey Caine College of the Arts Director of Marketing and Communications
Shane Nebeker and Sage K-9 Officer, Community Engagement, Critical Incident and Crisis Response K-9
Easton Martin 2024-25 USUSA Tradition’s Director
Abby Lane 2024-25 Natural Resources Senator
Shannon Peterson Director of Global Programming
Nowrin Fatema CHaSS Master’s Student Researcher of the Year
Cindy Forster Chambliss Former USU Delta Site Coordinator
Halle Hart Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services Senator
Arlo Child Aggie Radio DJ
Todd Hlavaty Janitorial Team Lead
Mufti Nadimul Quamar Ahmed Ph.D. Student and Researcher
Curtis Timmerman Grant & Contract Officer Lead in Sponsored Programs
Harrison Kleiner Associate Professor of Philosophy
Landry Hunter 2024-25 CHaSS Senator
Colin Hastings Student Advocate VP
Bryson Behm Cache County Clerk
Tommy Schlosser MBA Student
Jennifer Givens Associate Professor of Sociology
Lina Le COSAS Aggies Building Community Lead
Dallin Wilson 2024-25 Athletics and Campus Rec Executive Director
Sherri Callister BHI Claims Manager
Zoey Olaveson Sigma Alpha Sorority Founder
Laura Parrish Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Department Academic Advisor
Emerald Spencer 2024-25 Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Senator
Baily Kruzan Campus Recreation Coordinator of Marketing
Ella Stott The Utah Statesman Copy Editor
Ketzel Morales Jeremy Ranch Elementary Outreach Coordinator
Vann Bair @usufatherfigure and @usu.backrooms
Jeff Aird Chief Data Analytics Officer
Martha Tomaino MHR & MBA Student
Emma Lynn May ACM-W Student Chapter President
Savana Derby Backcountry Squatters Club Outreach Coordinator
Krystin Deschamps Interim VP of Student Affairs
‘Nature Boy’ Luke Forsberg will graduate from Quinney College of Natural Resources
By Gabriella Kozic STATESMAN REPORTER
At Utah State University, where mountain trails start just minutes from campus and the air is filled with the energy of students rushing between classes, Quinney College of Natural Resources graduate Luke Forsberg said he found the perfect environment for his academic goals and his love for the outdoors.
Growing up in the Salt Lake Valley, Forsberg said he was the kind of kid who never sat still for long. Family vacations weren’t about fancy hotels — they were about camping under the stars, counting wildlife from the backseat of the car and trekking through national parks with a backpack and a camera. It was only fitting when choosing a college, he ended up in a place where his passion for animals and wild spaces would become his everyday life.
Forsberg started college with veterinary school in mind, but it didn’t take long for him to chart his own course. Before his first year even began, a tour of USU’s Logan campus changed his trajectory.
He discovered the natural resources program, a field that “kind of seemed like the best way to merge my interests,” Forsberg said. “I love animals, but I also love being outside.”
The switch set Forsberg on a path he said felt right from the start.
Forsberg’s dad Derek Forsberg said it was obvious from the start where his son was headed.
“He was obsessed with animals from the time he was little, from carrying around plastic animals to counting the number of each kind of wildlife we saw when we were outside on vacation,” Derek wrote in an email to The Utah Statesman.
The family gave Luke a nickname: “Nature Boy.”
“Luke always has his wildlife camera on family trips and takes wildlife photos wherever we go,” Derek wrote. For the Forsbergs, outdoor adventure was normal family life.
“As for the outdoors, most of our family trips involved camping in the great outdoors. Luke has had the opportunity to visit most of the National Parks out west. He has a poster where he tracks all the National Parks that he has visited,” Derek wrote.
The Nature Boy identity stuck with Luke as he grew.
“I’m so proud of Luke, I really can’t put it into words. I’ve lost count of all the awards that he’s won. He has worked so hard in school. I’m happy for him that he is getting rewarded for his efforts,” Derek wrote.
Life in QCNR brought more than just classes for Luke. It opened up a community of people who shared his curiosity and enthusiasm.
“I have met people who I’ll be friends with for the rest of my life here,” Luke said.
Luke said his most vivid memories aren’t from lecture halls but from early mornings in the field, like a trip to Yellowstone with classmates, where long days together built lifelong friendships.
“You get to know someone really well when you do that,” Luke said.
Luke’s time at USU has been packed with hands-on experiences. His first big step was an aquatics technician internship, surveying native fish and amphibians in Utah.
“That was my first real job experience in our field, and that kind of got my foot in the door,” Luke said.
Next, he headed to Washington to work with baby seals. He found himself in San Diego, researching whale acoustics at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography — a job that pushed his skills in data analysis and coding and inspired the research project that would shape his final year as an undergraduate.
According to Luke, the excitement of research is all about seeing how big ideas connect with the natural world. He said a turning point came with a class taught by wildland resources professor Kari Veblen and doctorate student Maria Stahl, who guided his research.
“My faculty mentor Kari Veblen has been amazing ... helping me learn the research process as a whole,” Luke said. “Maria — she just knows how to code. It’s like a wizard.”
Stahl said Luke was invested and easy to talk to and work with.
“For somebody like Luke to be putting so much effort
towards this research project from the beginning, I think, was really impressive,” Stahl said.
Luke started his college career at the tail end of the coronavirus.
“That first semester, everything was still pretty shut down … That was really hard because I had done my senior year of high school all online at home, and I was kind of ready to be back in the classroom, and it was really hard to meet people,” Luke said.
According to Luke, loneliness was real, and so were academic challenges.
“Just because you fail one thing, it doesn’t mean that’s the trajectory of the class. It’s just kind of like a stepping stone.”
According to Luke, support from home made a difference.
“He went from being a high school student who needed help figuring things out to being totally independent. He needs no guidance from his parents anymore,” Luke’s mom Laurie Forsberg said. His family, close-knit as ever, finds time for calls, ski trips and holidays together.
Luke’s girlfriend Anja Cieslewicz has been by his side since high school.
“He’s really put himself out there a lot more in terms of involvement,” Cieslewicz said. “He’s really become a lot more social in that way.”
Cieslewicz said Luke puts a great amount of work into his research.
“He never gives anything half effort. He’s always 100% there, and that involves a lot of behind-the-scenes — just, like, reaching out to people and, with this research project, reading a ton of extra scientific literature to make sure he knew everything that was going on in the field,” Cieslewicz said.
Gabriella Kozic is studying journalism and communications. She is a die-hard New York sports fan. She loves to read, write and play guitar and sports. Most of all, she loves her friends, family and her dog DJ.
— gabriella.kozic@usu.edu
PHOTO BY Aubrey Holdaway
Luke Forsberg poses outside the Natural Resources Building on April 22.
Vice president of USU club soccer Sarah Baker will graduate from recreation administration
By Carson Frost STATESMAN REPORTER
It’s about the people you meet and the connections you make,” said Sarah Baker, a student graduating in recreation administration from the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.
According to recreation administration program director Nate Trauntvein, Baker’s ability to connect with people is unlike that of any student he’s taught before.
“She’s magnetic in her personality,” Trauntvein said. “She just finds a way to connect with everybody in a way that as a faculty member, I could never have.”
Born and raised in Payson, Baker was the self-proclaimed “wild child” in a family of five, but her passion and determination to succeed were evident to her parents Melinda and Phil Baker from a very young age.
“She’s always been driven in everything she does,” Melinda said. “School kind of came easy for her, and she likes to see others succeed as well. I would say she’s always been a leader, and soccer is definitely her passion.”
Sarah started playing soccer in third grade and became the team captain at Payson High School. Since then, her
love for the sport has fueled her ambition, ultimately leading her to pursue a degree in recreation and sports management.
“Soccer has been my life,” Sarah said. “I try to tell people, ‘No guys, I have a personality outside of soccer,’ but it’s been a big part of who I am.”
However, the rising high school star faced a few obstacles in her development. During her three years as a varsity starter, Sarah’s team the Payson Lions never posted a winning record.
Then, in her junior year — just as college recruiters would have been paying closer attention — the coronavirus pandemic abruptly cut her season short.
“We had to help her say, ‘No you’re good enough. Keep trying,’” Phil said.
Amid limited contact with college recruiters and no concrete offers, Sarah had her sights set on attending school in Wyoming until her parents encouraged her to give USU Eastern a chance — the place where they first met.
“She hadn’t heard back from the USU Eastern coach, and I just said, ‘Let’s just try one more time to reach out to him,’” Melinda said. “They had just several of their players, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, come on down.’”
Shortly after, Sarah signed with the school, coinciding with the team’s hiring of Jacquelyn Tagg-Stephens as an assistant coach. Stephens had previously spent a year on the coaching staff at Payson High School, where she formed a tight bond with the team captain.
“Not only have I been able to coach her, but she and I have developed a pretty good friendship away from the soccer field,” Stephens said.
The summer before her first year of college, Sarah played under Stephens in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, a national circuit known for its high-level talent.
“She was so willing to just throw herself in there with players who are D1, semi-professional players,” Stephens said.
Stepping into a new system at Eastern brought with it a fresh set of challenges for Sarah.
“Sarah didn’t get the most playing time,” Stephens said. “The head coach had his favorites, and you could see that in the playing time, but her attitude was never negative towards that. Whatever playing time she got, she went out there and put everything on the line.”
Sarah developed lifelong friendships and was adored by her teammates, but her JUCO career quickly came to an end. She considered a few transfer options, and Utah Valley University seemed like the obvious choice — close to home and more affordable.
However, a seemingly inconsequential Zoom meeting with a Utah State professor quickly changed her mind.
“We had to do this online Zoom meeting with the professor,” Sarah said. “I was like, ‘This is ridiculous. It’s an online class.’”
The professor was Trauntvein, and during their conversation, he asked Sarah about her career goals, and she expressed her interest in sports management and recreation.
Trauntvein had already recognized Sarah as one of his top students. Although she mentioned her plans to attend UVU, he saw potential for her to thrive under his program.
“Her life goal wasn’t to get a job. Her life goal was to change people’s lives,” Trauntvein said. “That’s probably what made me do a hard sell, like, ‘No, you need to come up here, and you need to do this program.’”
Moving farther from her family and taking on three jobs, Sarah arrived on the Logan campus in the fall of 2023 and wasted no time before diving into recreation.
She seized a one-time opportunity to join one of Trauntvein’s classes, where students took part in a service project on a Sioux reservation. For eight days, Sarah worked alongside her classmates, tirelessly helping to construct homes for women affected by domestic violence.
“She was a crazy rock star out there,” Trauntvein said. “She worked harder than anybody else and was always ready to give.”
This past spring, Trauntvein took Sarah and other students to a conference where they had the opportunity to meet with professionals in the recreation field. Sarah left the event with four job offers, but it was her leadership and generosity that stood out most to Trauntvein.
“She found people in our group who were most uncomfortable and nervous about being around professionals and de-escalated them,” Trauntvein said. “She always rises to the top, not because she’s trying to force people to do it her way but because she magically finds a way to connect with everybody.”
In addition to her active involvement in class, Sarah took on multiple side gigs to help pay for tuition, including refereeing intramural sports like football, soccer, volleyball and basketball.
“It’s not the nicest job,” Sarah said. “You get paid to get yelled at by your peers.”
Carson Frost is a transfer student from Denver studying journalism. He loves writing, making music, hitting the gym and taking road trips.
PHOTO BY Claire Ott
Sarah Baker, USU Women’s Club Soccer vice president, poses inside a soccer goal located on the Aggie Legacy Fields on April 22.
Graduates, congratulations! Thank you for sharing your academic
journey with us. YOU are the best of USU, and the reason we love our work. We are proud to call you our alumni!
Your Friends, USU Student Affairs
studenta airs.usu.edu
College of Science graduate Isabella DeJesus reflects
By Rain Schenck STATESMAN REPORTER
For Isabella DeJesus, college wasn’t just about getting good grades — it was about making an impact that outlasted her. After transferring to Utah State University following her first year of college, she dove into biochemistry and human biology, aiming for medical school while also building a more inclusive community within her major through her leadership roles and peer mentorship.
Originally from Riverton, DeJesus graduated from high school in 2021 and began her college journey on a dance scholarship at Southern Utah University.
“I’ve wanted to be a doctor my entire life,” DeJesus said. “I went into SUU double majoring in biology and psychology.” However, after learning about CRISPR technology research at USU, she transferred to pursue more opportunities in genetic engineering.
Moving up to Logan immediately after her first year at SUU, she began working with USU postdoctoral researcher Yanan Liu on a genetic engineering experiment. DeJesus said hitting the ground running was important to her as she began her involvement with USU before the school year even rang in.
DeJesus became an Undergraduate Research Fellow, taking full advantage of every opportunity the College of Science had to offer.
She served on the college’s student council all three years — this year as president — served as an ambassador for the University Honors Program, worked as a teaching fellow for organic chemistry and participated in other clubs like the Biology Undergraduate Student Association, where she now serves as treasurer.
As student council president, DeJesus focused on fostering a sense of community within the college.
“There’s a huge stigma about who belongs in STEM,” DeJesus said. “We wanted to push inclusion.”
Focusing on bringing people together, DeJesus’s efforts resulted in initiatives like a peer mentorship program to guide new students through what she described as a “scary process.”
DeJesus said being a first-generation college student pursuing something in
the science or medical field, while being in the minority as a female biochemistry major, felt daunting at times.
“But I used my position to speak up and create the support I wish I’d had,” DeJesus said.
DeJesus’s dedication to others extended beyond her achievements in the classroom. As a University Teaching Fellow, she not only supported students academically but also inspired them, according to John Russell, her organic chemistry professor and mentor. Russell said he often turned to her for insight on how to help students succeed.
“She’s very precise and plans ahead,” Russell said. “My students regularly praised her for how helpful she was.”
With an intense schedule, DeJesus seemed to stay “generous with her time,” Russell said, as DeJesus chose to spend time mentoring other students, tutoring and being personable about how she spent her time.
not
or
can be found at any competitive event or game night, throwing a ball or yelling at a card game.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY Isabella DeJesus
Rain Schenck is from Syracuse. If she’s
writing
reading, she
‘Crunching the Questions’ with Diana Sabau, USU athletes
By Mark Greenwood STATESMAN REPORTER
The Utah State University Division of Student Affairs and the Logan Vice President Committee hosted “Crunching the Questions,” an event with Utah State Athletics Director Diana Sabau and a panel of Aggie student-athletes from various sports. The event was held in the TSC Evan N. Stevenson Ballroom on April 17 and was open to students and the community.
Prior to the event, students submitted questions for both the athletes and for Sabau to answer as a part of the question-and-answer format of the evening. The athletes in attendance were Magdalena Nunez Pureco from women’s tennis; Megumi Ludlow and Emma Thornley from cross country; Dani Kirstine, Lundyn VanderToolen and Avery Bibbey from women’s gymnastics and Robert Freeman IV from football.
The panel of student-athletes took the stage for the first half of the event. The athletes answered questions the moderators selected from student submissions. The questions ranged from favorite moments at Utah State, life as a student-athlete, difficulties of being a studentathlete and advice to their younger selves.
“My favorite moments would be when I watched my teammates succeed,” Ludlow said. “It makes me really proud and makes me really happy that I’ve been given the opportunity to be here and be able to know these people who do these amazing things.”
Thornley added her favorite moments at USU.
“The worst part is also the best part, and it’s just putting your whole heart into it. It’s really hard because if you want something so bad and you’re so ambitious towards it that you work so hard for it for so long and then if you don’t achieve it, it really hurts a lot,” Thornley said. “It’s so worth it, even if you don’t achieve it, because you’re so much better because of that.”
Pureco emphasized the importance of living in the moment.
“I would tell myself to enjoy every single moment here, every single game, because time goes by so fast,” Pureco said. “I was very scared as far as coming from Mexico to a whole new country where I didn’t know anybody. My family is in Mexico, and I barely see them, but I created a whole new family here, and I just love the community here. So, everything is worth it.”
Many athletes highlighted their experiences competing and winning Mountain West championships at USU as part of their favorite experiences.
After the student-athlete portion of the event, Sabau took the stage to answer questions previously prepared and several questions from the audience. The questions centered around a typical day in the life, plans for the upcoming year, her path to USU and how students can get more involved in athletics.
“We’re really trying to future-proof our athletics department at Utah State as we integrate into the Pac12, which will be full of amazing opportunities for our university to really be center-focused on television in national competitions,” Sabau said. “When I’m not here in Logan, I’m traveling and just asking people to be most intimately involved with the brand they love the most, which is Utah State. Whether they were a student-athlete or they were a student that attended here, we want to make sure that their passion resonates back here in Logan, and they can do that through financial fulfillment.”
For students looking to get their foot in the door working in athletics, Sabau had a simple message.
“Come to our athletic department administrative offices — second floor of the Spectrum — and be an intern,” Sabau said. “There’s a ton of opportunities. When you’re here on campus, if you don’t squeeze every day to the fullest, you’re cheating yourself out of what could be your future … I want to make sure that not just our studentathletes have remarkable experiences but all of you as well.”
After Sabau answered submitted questions, she took questions from the students in attendance. These were focused on Pac-12 integration and the intricacies of USU Athletics such as NIL and coach hiring and retainment.
“When I was first hired here, the former president and I had a lot of discussions about what the future of Utah State was, and I learned very quickly that Utah State had been left out a lot of times in the history of Utah State whenever there was an athletics conference realignment,” Sabau said. “Right away, I knew we’re going to have to be aggressive, and we’re really going to have to be ahead of the pack with it.”
According to Sabau, she pushed back on the first Pac12 offer to ensure equality between USU and the other colleges.
“Women’s soccer will be phasing that grandstands, ticket booth, concessions, merchandise — so you’ll see that develop into a total stadium over time,” Sabau said. “We’re renovating our indoor facility. All of our women’s sports are behind in their facilities.”
The Logan VP Committee indicated similar events will be ongoing in the future, giving students and community members an opportunity to interact with Utah State athletes and the athletic department.
Mark is a sophomore at USU studying economics and finance. He is an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan and loves playing tennis and skiing.
— mark.greenwood@usu.edu
Center For Community
Center for Community is open to students and the campus community from all backgrounds and fields of study. We sponsors programs designed to enable attendees to learn with, and from, each other while engaging with a broad array of cultures, perspectives, and traditions. The center also includes the Native American Cultural Program which provides tribal cultural education, celebration, and engagement opportunities.
Join us for fun activities every Tuesday from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. TSC, Room 227
CFC Community Space in TSC 227 and 314 Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Dear Graduates,
Congratulations on this great milestone! We’re so proud of your hard work and determination. Exciting opportunities are ahead, and we know you’ll achieve fantastic things! For returning students, enjoy your summer break! Relax, recharge, and reflect on this year's experiences. We look forward to seeing you next semester, ready to tackle new challenges and create more great memories together!
Bridger Park Logan, UT
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
community Looking for volunteer opportunities? Consider helping out on Juneteenth! sign up: community@usu.edu Juneteenth National Freedom Day June 19, 2025
OPINION There is no teach without tech: A plea to professors
By Malory Rau STATESMAN REPORTER
Canvas, the learning management system, was launched by Instructure in 2011. The program quickly took off and excelled during the coronavirus, meaning the current college student most likely came into contact with the program well before their time at university.
It appears for professors, that scenario may not be the case. The average college professor is in their mid-40s to 50s, meaning they didn’t know a Canvas-centered curriculum until a little over a decade ago. The challenges that come with the fast-paced, ever-changing technology are completely acknowledgeable and understandable. Professors and students are seeing that today with the use of AI in classrooms.
In turn, what is arguably not understandable is when an instructor, whose job is to teach, refuses to learn. Canvas has become an essential part of the college curriculum, and it is frustrating as a student when a professor does not take time to make their Canvas course digestible and usable for students.
If professors are not sure what parts of Canvas are essential for student success, let this article be the guide. Due dates and the times of due dates are essential for student success. Canvas displays everything to students in the form of dates. This is where the standard due at 11:59 p.m. came from.
When professors deviate from this traditional time, it is essential to communicate that to students, especially when the time an assignment is due is in the morning. If students have habitually come to expect things due at 11:59 p.m., sometimes seeing an assignment paired with a date is enough for them to assume it’s due that night instead of the morning.
Following when assignments are due, it is easily frustrating when professors refuse to use Canvas to turn in digital assignments. There are plenty of classes that
professor — which is surprising, considering one would expect at least departments to be uniform — also creates a constant whiplash for students. Having to memorize 4–7 different ways to use Canvas each semester is a waste of energy and easily solvable.
Not to mention, each professor has a very specific communication method dictating whether to utilize Canvas’ email function, to come to their office hours only or even to text them. Heaven forbid a student gets one of these mixed up from professor to professor and accidentally causes
As students, it is increasingly difficult to respect those who teach when they refuse to learn themselves.
—
Malory Rau
rely on physical materials this does not apply to, but many Aggies have at least one story of having to turn in an assignment to a professor unconventionally and frustratingly, such as emailing their assignment to a non-USU email — although even a USU email is frustrating enough — through Canvas announcements or links in discussion posts.
The inconsistency of Canvas pages from professor to
unnecessary frustration or worse, damage to their grade.
It is also important to think about students who need accommodations. All the aforementioned issues may only frustrate the neurotypical, able-bodied student but could be detrimental to the education of students who require academic accommodations, whether through the Disability Resource Center or the Connect, Assist, Refer, Empower, or CARE, Office.
What is astonishing to discover about this issue is USU has an office called the Center for Instructional Design and Information. One facet of this office is dedicated entirely to teaching professors how to use Canvas, so not only are they refusing to learn, they are refusing to learn even when there is a clear and direct resource for them to take the time to learn.
As students, it is increasingly difficult to respect those who teach when they refuse to learn themselves.
For students who share a similar sentiment about professors and Canvas, please share those frustrations through MyVoice, located in the MyUSU App. MyVoices go straight to USUSA, which relies heavily on the data from MyVoice to make real change.
For professors who have struggled with Canvas and seek to do better, please visit usu.edu/cidi
This year Malory Rau conquered Escape and Evasion, USUSA Elections and various bouts of breaking news. She is not prepared for her next challenge: continuing school without her bestie and Lifestyles Editor Aubrey Holdaway.
— m.rau@usu.edu
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY Jack Burton
Finals Week Fits
Claire Ott is a senior studying journalism and enviornmental sceince. She enjoys being a photographer because she gets to capture some cool things.
Congrats Grads
From all of us at Counseling and Prevention Services, we are so proud of all you’ve accomplished. As you step into this next chapter, remember to carry forward not just your knowledge, but also your resilience, your growth, and your care for your well-being.
Wherever life takes you next, your mental health matters—and you always have a community cheering you on.
Go Aggies!
- Counseling and Prevention Services
Sudoku puzzles are provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com.
Did you Know?
81% of clients reporting academic issues say working with CAPS increased their likelihood of graduating.
