Student

Sam Johnson

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Programs	Computer Networking & Cybersecurity Degree
Class	2022
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	California

Post-Grad Job

Department of Defense

How has the Upside-Down Curriculum enhanced your education?

The Upside Down Curriculum completely changed my expectation of college learning. Growing up, I had heard stories of students trotting through two years of general education before learning anything related to their major, and I was not looking forward to that. But at Champlain, I was able to get experience in my major immediately, enabling me to achieve internships and scholarships early into my college career.

What do you like about your professors at Champlain?

My professors have been absolutely AMAZING in their willingness to help me succeed. My tech professors are knowledgeable and always willing to help out of the classroom, and my Core professors are always willing to listen when I need someone to talk to.

As a recipient of the Department of Defense scholarship, what advice would you give students looking to apply for this in the future?

Apply. Certainly apply, because I went through the thought process of thinking that maybe I wasn’t a good candidate for the scholarships, and maybe I shouldn’t apply. The application is kind of daunting. It’s a very long application, as well as a medium to large-sized paper (depending on how you view papers). You need to write for it.
But I would say it’s definitely worth the effort because the government has a lot of jobs and while it is a very prestigious scholarship, I was surprised that within the group I was accepted with, a surprisingly little amount of people applied for it. Across the whole country, I think only 600 people applied for it.

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James Johnson

Programs	Game Design Degree
Class	2026
Pronouns	They/He

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I just enjoy helping people! There’s so much information out there, but it only takes a nudge in the right direction to make the whole process easier. I want to pass along what other tutors have done for me!

Advice to Champlain Student?

Be frank, keep it simple, & be honest with yourself. The rest is easy.

Fun fact

Early 2000’s scene was the peak of music culture and no one can change my mind!

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Nadine Jones

School/Division	Robert P. Stiller School of Business
Programs	Business Administration Degree
Class	2025
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Georgia

How has the CARE program helped you in your first year?

The CARE program has helped me identify what I want to get out of being here in a school of students and faculty that look different from me. It has helped me look for resources in case I feel uncomfortable or challenged.
I have met many awesome faculty members and great guides to the path of being successful. They are willing to go above and beyond and be a clutch if I need advice.
The CARE program has just so many opportunities to offer, so a lot of students won’t feel so alone going through their first year of college. I am grateful for having them and making a great choice of being with CARE.

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Olivia Jones

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Class	2023
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Massachusetts

Concentration

Concept Art

Favorite Class

Concept Painting Fundamentals

How prepared do you think you are for life after Champlain, both in your future career and day-to-day life?

The Game Development classes have prepared me for what it would be like working on a real game development team. As the years have passed, our process has become more industry-level. I believe that if I transitioned into a fulltime position on a real team tomorrow, I would have a strong grasp on the work.

What is it about your major/area of study that appeals to you? Why does a career in that field matter—what value does it add to the world?

I’m a Game Art & Animation major, with a primary interest in concept art. I love all things 2D and also enjoy storyboarding, comic making, animation, and the collaboration between art and narrative. Ever since I was a child, one of the things I wanted most in my career was to make people feel something in the same way I felt while engaging with movies and games. They have the ability to transform and inspire a person, and that’s important to me.

What’s your favorite thing about Champlain’s community?

As a commuter, I think my favorite thing about the Champlain community is Division of Information Technology & Sciences friendly nature. More often than not, people are willing to speak to one another, and help with issues they are experiencing. It’s a community that bands together in tough times.

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Olga Kachura

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Class	2021
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Russia
Study Abroad	Montreal, Canada

Favorite Class

3D Modeling II

As an international student, how did you hear about Champlain and why did you choose to come here?

I had an advisor at Education USA Russia, and she met Jessa Karki (Director of Student Services) at one of the educational fairs and gave her my contact info. From there, I looked up Champlain online and read more about the Game Art program.I was really drawn to the Game Art program because I wanted to gain some experience in digital arts. I liked the curriculum and the fact that Champlain is in touch with so many game studios. One of the key factors for me was how attentive and nice Jessa Karki was, and I was immediately more drawn to the school based on that.

Have you worked on-campus in either a part-time or work-study position?

I worked at IDX in the beginning of college, then as an Orientation Leader, Peer Coach in the Career Collaborative, and an Admissions Intern at the Admissions Office. I think each one of these jobs made me more organized, and I learned a bunch about working with people, which is a really useful skill to have wherever you work. Three of these positions were leadership positions, and I definitely became a more confident person, too!

How has your Champlain experience prepared you for your future career, both in and out of the classroom?

I think my game classes helped me become a harder worker and improved my work ethic. I used to be a competitive person, but working with so many talented artists made me more of a collaborator. I also got to talk to a lot of people who have been in the game industry for decades, and I feel like I have gained some very useful knowledge about it and have more realistic expectations.

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James Kainth

Programs	Computer Networking & Cybersecurity Degree
Class	2020
Home State	Connecticut
Study Abroad	Dublin (fall semester)

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Molly Kathleen Aldrich

School/Division	Robert P. Stiller School of Business
Programs	Business Administration Degree
Class	2020
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Virginia

Internships

Fundraising Intern at Rad Magpie in Burlington, VT

What has been your experience with the Student Government Association?

I am the President of the Student Government Association (SGA). We fund and regulate all the clubs. We have a grant process for student projects, and we work as a liaison between the students and the administration. I would say give yourself the opportunity to experience different things and try out for leadership roles. Get yourself into those spaces, and try everything you can.

Can you tell us about your Legal Studies minor?

A minor can work in a lot of different ways. Some people choose one because it’s actually what they want to do, but they’re not sure yet. That’s what I did with Legal Studies. I wanted to go to law school, but what if I changed my mind? So I chose Business Administration as a general degree that can be applied in a lot of different ways, but can also be used as a specialization. It’s a unique thing for different job opportunities.

What does “business for good” mean to you?

Business for good means taking not just working for the company that will pay you the most but working for a company whose mission you stand behind. Advocacy in business means being able to work for a business that is working for change, either for an outside cause or within the business Division of Information Technology & Scienceself.

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Emma Katz

School/Division	Robert P. Stiller School of Business
Programs	Marketing Degree
Class	2019
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Maine
Study Abroad	Prague, Czech Republic

Internship

Brand Strategy Intern at Fuse in Winooski, VT

Post-Grad Job

Associate Account Manager at Fuse in Winooski, VT

What is the best thing about professors at Champlain?

My professors are so personable and kind. They get to know me and what my career goals are, and they always help me pursue those goals. I’ve had professors recommend internships to me and help me network with companies. Our professors really want to see their students succeed in class and in their careers.

Did you get the chance to study abroad?

I went to Prague in the Czech Republic, where I studied at the Anglo-American University. While in Prague, I took courses like Brand Management, Project Management, EU Policies in the Business Market, and I did two classes for our Core curriculum: Prague Art & Architecture and Cultural Journalism. I learned a lot about the city, brand management, and even myself. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, met new people, and had a lot of fun.

Can you tell us about your internship?

I was a Brand Strategy intern at Fuse in Winooski, Vermont my senior year. Fuse is a local marketing agency that works with national companies on event-based marketing aimed towards millennial and Gen-Z audiences. Towards the end of my senior year, Fuse started searching for a junior associate to join the team. They were looking at all of the applicants, but they just kept thinking about me and my work. My supervisor said she didn’t want somebody new to apply, and she wanted to hire me because of all of the amazing work I did as an intern. Now, I work there full-time.

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Colin Keilbach

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Class	2023
Pronouns	He/Him/His

Advice to Students?

Make sure you have time to take breaks. A lot of problems are really easy to solve once you get back from a 15 minute break.

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Book: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

Inspirational Quote?

“People will think what they want to…Never take too much notice of it.” – John Flanagan

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Sarah Kelly

Class	2026
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Massachusetts

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

When I was first looking into colleges I knew that I wanted a small school, it was also in a beautiful location and when I was first visiting I got to meet so many wonderful professors that made me feel heard before I was even their student and many other schools did not make me feel as seen as Champlain had done.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Starting the day off with a maple latte from Burlington Bagel Bakery, then going paddle-boarding on Lake Champlain with my friends followed by a picnic at Oakledge Park. Lastly ending my day with either a cup of ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s or a scoop of gelato from Shy Guy Gelato.

Clubs & Student Involvement

• Event Coordinator for Stiller Women in Business
• Vice-President for Student Government Association
• Rugby Club

Favorite Champlain Memory

I have many different small ones, but some are having a cookout at Oakledge Park in the rain, getting way to many scoops of ice cream during Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s or playing board games with my roommates and friends.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

I would just say to follow your gut and don’t listen to closely to what others are telling you to do.

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Avery Kelly

Programs	Writing & Publishing Degree
Class	2027
Pronouns	He/Him/His

Biography

 

 

Research

 

 

Distinctions & Awards

 

 

Publications & Abstracts

 

 

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I love teaching and I love writing, so this combines them both.

 

Advice to Champlain Student?

Make friends, write a lot, and just experience college.

 

Fun fact

I have 5 cats

 

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Michael Kirkpatrick

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Programs	Game Programming Degree  Applied Mathematics Degree
Class	2025
Pronouns	He/Him/His

Advice to Students?

Don’t hesitate to ask teachers and others around you for help, most people would love to help if your stuck.

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Inspirational Quote?

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them.” – Albert Einstein

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Maia Kramer

Programs	Interactive Narrative for Games & Digital Media Degree
Class	2028
Home State	New York

How did you apply to Champlain?

Transfer

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Colin Kuhn

School/Division	Robert P. Stiller School of Business
Class	2020
Home State	Vermont
Study Abroad	Dublin, Ireland

Pronouns

He/Him/His

Internships

Marketing & Event Intern at Sarah Ramsey Strong Fund in Burlington, VT

How has Core changed your perspective?

During one of my Core classes, I got the opportunity to research and learn about the importance of clean water and the impact of microplastics. I enjoy being outside and, having lived in Vermont my whole life, I have a deep connection with nature and Lake Champlain. In my Core class, I realized how big of a problem microplastics can be, and now I care a lot about that.

What made you choose Champlain?

I was drawn to the individual attention that I would get in the classroom. This gave me a chance to discuss topics one-on-one with my professors. They’re approachable, and they always challenge me to think deeper.

How has Champlain prepared you for the professional world?

I was able to start getting internships the summer after my first year because the Upside-Down Curriculum gave me the experience I needed. I’ve had four internships during my time at Champlain, ranging from marketing to event planning to business development. My studies made me adaptable and confident at work, and I was able to take in new knowledge and skills. I was surprised to find out how many certifications I can get through my classes. I’ll have a leg up on the competition when I graduate.

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Lisa Lafayette

School/Division	School of Social Innovation
Programs	Social Work Degree
Class	2027
Pronouns	She/They
Home State	New York

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I chose Champlain for the endless opportunities for my major and the amazing autumn season.

Clubs & Student Involvement

• Office Assistant Housing and Res Life
• School of Social Innovation Representative SGA
• Discord Moderator
• Champ 101 Peer Facilitator 

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

My ideal weekend is hanging out with friends around and off campus.

Favorite Champlain Memory

My favorite memory was when I went to Canada with my division and we were able to see Montreal and explore.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

It is something that is hard however with persistence and patience, it becomes worth it in the end.

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