Representation Matters as a First-Generation College student

Donna and a group of MA in Higher Education Leadership Students

A blog post from SOLES MA in Higher Education Leadership Ambassador Donna Soukantouy I am a first-generation, Laotian-American college student in the Master’s program of Higher Education Leadership. When I first started out the master’s program in SOLES, I pretty Continue reading

How to Prepare for Your Global Study Course

Photo of Rosa with other students standing in front of the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy

A blog post from SOLES MA in School Counseling Ambassador, Rosa Hernandez. As a second year School Counseling graduate student, I was lucky enough to take part in two Global Study experiences. In Fall 2018 I went to Italy with Continue reading

Presentation Opportunities

SOLES PhD in Leadership Studies Student Ambassador Derek Abbey Presenting

A blog post from SOLES PhD in Leadership Studies Ambassador, Derek Abbey. Presenting your work at professional and academic conferences is beneficial for a variety of reasons. As I have progressed through the PhD in Leadership Studies program at SOLES, Continue reading

Pare Down, Prioritize, and Sacrifice

A blog post from SOLES MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management Ambassador, Joseph Shumate There is very little in my life that I love more than bedtime. It wasn’t always that way. I remember as a young child rebelling against Continue reading

Reflections on my Graduate School Journey

A blog post from SOLES MA in School Counseling Ambassador, Jocelyn Monroy-Saavedra When I began looking into graduate school programs dedicated to School Counseling, I found USD. I signed up to learn more information but did not think much about Continue reading

Balance is Beautiful

A blog post from SOLES MA in Higher Education Leadership Studies Ambassador, Mariana Ortega “Balance is Beautiful”- Miyoko Ohno Imagine waking up 15 minutes before work, you brush your teeth, get dressed and your commute to your office is 1 Continue reading

Grad School in my 50s

A vlog post from SOLES MA in Higher Education Leadership Ambassador, Catherine Northcutt. Catherine Northcutt, a graduate student in the Master’s in Higher Education Leadership program shares her experience as a graduate student in her 50’s. In the vlog below, Continue reading

Stepping Out of My Own World

A blog post from SOLES MA in Marital and Family Therapy Ambassador, Madeleine Wiersma. As a second year student beginning my clinical experience at my practicum site, I have been learning a lot this past month. I’ve been learning how Continue reading

Be Selfish

A blog post from SOLES MA in Marital and Family Therapy Ambassador, Gloria Saldana. “It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.”– Banksy As a graduate student in the field Continue reading

Owning My Imposter Syndrome

A blog post from SOLES MA in Higher Education Leadership Studies Ambassador, Meredith Mendez. When I was accepted into USD, I thought the admissions committee had made an error in my acceptance. As I walked into my classes, I was afraid Continue reading