Student

Olivia Sommerer

Class	2023
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Florida

Concentration

Communication, Innovation, and Social Justice

Internship

Rapid Asia in Bangkok, Thailand

Talk a bit about your classes. What projects, subjects, or experiences have had an impact on you? How does that apply to your field?

So far I have taken some phenomenal classes. A few special ones come to mind that I think are worth mentioning:Management/Organizational Behavior taught by Professor Scott Baker made such a lasting impact on my life. It was a class on how to lead people, understand people, and work to successfully create a work environment that helps everyone thrive. Professor Baker taught the class in such an organic way, and the material is so applicable to my job as a supervisor. I use his leadership advice each day and learn how to work with people and make everyone feel appreciated.
New Ventures/Entrepreneurship with Professor Kylie King is so epic. I come to class with a business idea that I’ve had for years, and with the help of Kylie, watch it come to life. In this class, I worked on my wellness company, called Five Wellness, and have a podcast on Spotify. The class gives students the freedom to learn how to explore their business ideas, know what steps are important to take to make it happen, and pitch to real investors to get feedback. If not for this class, I don’t think I could have made plans for my company or have a podcast that I am so proud to produce.

Describe your professors at Champlain. How do your relationships with faculty differ or align with what you expected before you started at Champlain?

I absolutely love most of my professors at Champlain. After joining the Degree Design Lab major, I built a family with my professors and faculty members. Now I have a number of professors that know me very well, help me when needed, and join me for a cup of coffee.

Have you had opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in your major to experiences outside the classroom?

Yes! I was just landed a two-month internship in Bangkok, Thailand, this summer supported by a Freeman Foundation Grant. I will be interning at Rapid Asia, which specializes in sustainable change in Asia. They do work with the United Nations, too. The people I will be working for complimented my degree and were interested in me being an interdisciplinary student. It feels like a fantastic fit.

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Mia Soto

Programs	Game Art Degree
Class	2027
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers

Why do you want to be a tutor?

3D art is often hard to get into and stick with – there’s so much troubleshooting to do and consider when you work and so many things to learn at once. As a senior, I know how overwhelming it feels, so I wanted to become a tutor to help students understand different areas of the major!

Advice to Champlain Student?

I think something valuable is to experiment and overall practice your skills in your own time when possible! Many of the skills I’m the most confident in compared to others is because I put time and effort into bettering them, outside of classes. It’s also helped me to find what I personally enjoy creating and doing.

Fun Fact

I love collecting trinkets, one of my favorites to collect being smiskis!

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Nick Spanos

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Class	2022
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	Florida

Internships

Leahy Center, Technical Intern of Online Safety & Cybersecurity

Favorite Class

Operating System Forensics

Why Champlain for studying Digital Forensics?

With the Leahy Center and Champlain being federally recognized for their excellence in digital forensics, it became very clear that Champlain was the school for me. Other colleges don’t boast the same hire rate straight out of college. If you told me in high school that I would be accepted for a job with the federal government by my sophomore year, I wouldn’t have believed you. But in 2020, I signed a two-year contract with the Department of Defense for doing cybersecurity.

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding or useful?

My public speaking class helped me not only become a better speaker, but also a better presenter. I never knew how to properly end a presentation besides with “So yeah, thank you.” I didn’t have good openings either. The class has helped strengthen my stage presence and my writing ability, which has carried over into my presentations for other classes.

Describe your internship experience.

I was a Technical Intern of Online Safety & Cybersecurity at the Leahy Center. This involved researching cyber threats targeting local businesses around Vermont, and creating materials for these businesses with information about different attacks and how to defend against them. I landed this internship my first semester of my first year, so I was building skills in the classroom as I went through the internship. The classes helped with the internship and vice-versa, as my internship introduced me to new concepts that we covered deeper in class.

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Nyjah Strange

School/Division	Robert P. Stiller School of Business
Class	2018
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Pennsylvania
Study Abroad	Ifrane, Morocco and Shanghai, China

Internship

Ecommerce Intern at Asia Socks Inc. in Shanghai, China

Post-Grad Job

Financial Analyst at Burton Snowboards in Burlington, VT

How has the Upside-Down Curriculum impacted your education?

The Upside-Down Curriculum is not only empowering, but it also prepares you for the real world from the start. You know in your first year if your major is really what you want to pursue in life. I have friends at other schools who are just now getting in their accounting and financial management classes. I’m able to say that I did that my first year.

What do you think of the Core curriculum?

I think that the Core is very important. At first, you come into the Core with a high school mind-set, and you just want to get it over and done with. But sophomore year, we’re able to choose our own Core classes. I took Ethics & the Environment, and we focused specifically on water. That was the best class I think I’ve had at Champlain. Not only did it open my mind to environmental ethics, but I pursued a new lifestyle where I’m now GMO-free—everything is organic.

Are you involved with any student organizations on campus?

I am a part of CHAMP (Champlain Has Activities and Motivational Programming). We put on events for students on campus, like Spring Meltdown and our Snowball Dance, which is amazing. One year, Snowball’s theme was “Enchanted Forest,” and it was honestly the best event I’ve ever been to. I met a ton of people. I thought no one would know who I was. I don’t know how I did it, all I did was dance in a circle, but I pulled random people in and danced with them. People still come up to me and say, “Hey, I remember you. You danced with me!”

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Adam Streeter

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Programs	Game Art Degree
Class	2020
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	Connecticut

Internship

Lost Cosmonauts

Favorite Class

Arab Spring

Post-Grad Job

Valve Software

What made you choose Champlain?

I knew I wanted a smaller school, and I also knew I wanted something game-related. Reading up on Champlain’s robust game majors was very exciting! I was especially interested in going to Champlain after hearing about the production sequence and actually getting to make real games. What sealed the deal was the location. Having grown up in Connecticut, I knew I wanted to stay in New England. Sure it’s cold, but in the fall it’s less cold! And look at those trees!

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

I worked for five semesters at the Emergent Media Center, which gave me a lot of important experience working with actual clients on real projects, and taught me more about the production cycle hands-on! I’ve also been a Resident Assistant on campus for two years, which really helped me come out of my shell socially, built up my confidence as a leader, and introduced me to a lot of responsibility!

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I participate in the Champlayers drama club. It’s a small group of people who I consider good friends, and they’re incredibly supportive and talented. I love being able to get on stage and make people laugh and have a good time. I also attend Climb Champlain, which is a great way to get physical and hang around with a bunch of really passionate climbing folks.

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Elio Sullivan

Programs	Computer Networking & Cybersecurity Degree
Class	2027
Pronouns	He/They

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I’m passionate about making technology and cybersecurity accessible and easy to understand for anybody from any background.

Fun Fact

I like collecting comic books!

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Cory Sweitzer

Class	2015

Graduation Year

’15

Organization

Burton Snowboards

Position Title

Senior Video Editor

How are you using your Communication degree at your job?

My experience at Champlain in the classroom and through required internships made me very versatile.
My primary job role is video editing and post-production, but working on a small team at Burton we all do a little bit of everything. On shoots, I can be a second shooter, run audio, help light sets, and then afterward log, edit, color, and version out all video assets. During the process, you’re working with project managers to ensure deadlines are met and almost become your own project manager. Your value depends on your ability to collaborate with others and contribute to any situation or willingness to dive in and try.
Working in the classroom at Champlain and getting real-world experience through internships helped build my confidence. I can be thrown into any situation and succeed.

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Katherine Taddeo

Class	2023
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Maine

Concentration

Professional Writing

What made you choose your major?

I really like to write and create stories, but I also enjoy learning about science. Why not create stories that teach about the planet?

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding or useful?

Creating posts for one of my environmental classes in collaboration with the Emergent Media Center. It was a good exercise to try to distill scientific facts to the size of a post and make them entertaining. It was satisfying to see them published. I also liked working on a food website with my classmates in my Project Design course.

What is your favorite class you’ve taken at Champlain?

I’ve enjoyed the classes where I have learned a lot, and there are a good number of those. I think the one that I learned the most in is Screenwriting I. I really love cinema, and have lots of ideas for films, but you can’t get anywhere without a good script.

Do you have a favorite spot on campus?

Living on campus gives you the feeling that you’re not alone and that there are other people like you studying. I don’t have a spot in particular that is my favorite, but I like walking around Maple Street and South Willard Street because it’s the center of campus and you’ll see other students.

What do you like about Burlington?

Burlington is big enough to explore but small enough to be safe and it is physically beautiful.

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Lily Tammik

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Programs	Creative Media Degree
Class	2022
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Massachusetts

Specializations

Visual Art & Design, Sonic Arts, and Creative Writing

What do you like about your program?

I love the range of courses I have been able to take within the scope of the Creative Media major. From classes in Intermediate Creative Nonfiction to Film Scoring and the Advanced Digital Image, I’ve been able to try my hand at all sorts of practices that have fostered growth and the expansion of my creative capabilities. Through all of these courses, I have researched artists from modern times and times long past, and have used those influences to inform myself about what my voice is and what I want to communicate with my own art.

I love that the Creative Media major encompasses so many different types of artists because all of those perspectives allow me to see the breadth of art, and the value that learning about so many mediums can have on one’s own understanding of the world and of the self.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in? What do you do/why do you enjoy them?

I’ve been a part of Champlain’s literary and fine arts magazine, Willard & Maple, since the start of my second year. Each week the group of associate editors goes through submissions from the college’s students, ranging from poetry to prose and photography to digital painting, to select our favorites and compile them into a magazine yearly. I’ve been able to design the covers, choose fonts, and more for the last two years, and next year I will be a Co-Editor-in-Chief for my senior year. I enjoy Willard & Maple because I love reading through our submissions and experiencing the unique voices of Champlain’s students, engaging in their stories, along with providing them a vessel through which to become published. As an artist, I know how important it can feel to be recognized for your work, and I think that Willard & Maple serves as a very inclusive and creative channel for that outcome to be obtained.

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

The Upside-Down Curriculum, combined with the wealth of knowledge from my professors, has provided me with the capabilities and confidence to pursue a professional career as an artist. A seemingly intimidating career path, becoming an artist in today’s world, feels much more accessible with the experience my classes have given me. I’ve learned the business side of the music industry and how to predict trends and stand out from the crowd, how to create photographs that capture audiences through composition, content, and creativity, and how to craft meaningful and relatable writing that connects with readers. These tools, along with many others, have prepared me for the various positions in the professional world I could find myself in, given the creative world’s desire for multi-talented employees.

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Jessica Taylor

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Programs	Computer Science & Innovation Degree
Class	2021
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	New York

Specialization

Software Engineering

How has Core changed your perspective on yourself on the world around you?

Core has strengthened my written and verbal communication skills, as well as my critical thinking skills. With Core, I was able to travel to Italy and experience a new culture while also learning about the impacts of colonialism on Mediterranean markets.

What do you like about going to college in Burlington?

I love the local community and the scenery in Burlington. Being from upstate New York, Burlington reminds me of all the positives of my local community and surroundings while also having a nice city feel. I recommend taking advantage of all the nature during the warmer months by going on hikes, walking trails, or biking.

What surprised you about Champlain?

I didn’t expect to feel as important as I do in the eyes of my faculty and community. I feel like my faculty really values what I bring to class. I’m not just a face in a sea of people.

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Lauren Taylor

Programs	Criminology & Criminal Justice Degree
Class	2028
Pronouns	She/They

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I chose to be a tutor because I love to help my peers, and writing is something I am good at. I wanted to share my knowledge with other students to help them grow as writers.

Advice to Champlain Student?

One piece of advice I have for Champlain students is, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Champlain College has so many amazing resources for students that should be taken advantage of.

Fun Fact

A fun fact about me is that I did martial arts for eleven years.

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Maia Tebbets

School/Division	School of Social Innovation
Programs	Integrative Professional Studies Degree
Class	2026
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Maine

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I chose Champlain because of the cozy tight knit campus and the small size of the school! I went to a small high school so it was important to me that I would be able to connect with my professors and peers, and I have definitely found that here!

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

My ideal weekend in Burlington would be grabbing coffee at Cosmic Grind down on Church Street, exploring the lakefront with friends, having a slice at Pizza 44, and playing board games with my friends!

Clubs & Student Involvement

• Resident Advisor
• President’s Council
• Captain of Champlain College Dance Team
• CHAMP

Favorite Champlain Memory

One of my favorite Champlain memories was Spirit Week my freshman year! It was themed after space camp and there were lots of cool crafts and activities. It felt like the first time I really connected with my people!

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

One piece of advice for students starting to look at schools is to go with your gut. It can be easy to make a decision based on what other’s expect from you or what you think you are “supposed to do”, but go with what feels right! For me, I felt a connection when I visited campus. I hope you find what you’re looking for!

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Jack Tenda

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Programs	Game Art Degree
Class	2022
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	Vermont

Favorite Class

Advanced Seminar

What specifically made you choose Champlain?

The Game Studio/Game Art program was one of the biggest reasons why I chose to attend Champlain. Being a local Vermonter, I always heard great things about the program. It seemed like a no-brainer to be a part of the Champlain community, which values hard work and collaboration.

How has Core changed your perspective (of self, of community, of the world)?

Core allowed me to open up as an individual and be a free thinker. I can see now that before coming to college, I was a very close-minded person, and did not really care to learn more about other perspectives. Core classes completely changed my way of thinking about life, and helped me form my own opinions while doing relevant research on important topics. Without the Core curriculum, I would not feel as prepared to jump headfirst into the real world.

Having been at Champlain now, what advice do you wish you could have given yourself on day one?

If I could have given myself advice, it would have been to be more involved with the Champlain community, and find a club or extracurricular to join. It always seemed like there was no time to fit these activities into my schedule. Looking back and seeing how quickly four years went by, I wish I did more to find a club or community.

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Chloe Thenor

Class	2023
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	New York

Internship

Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office

Why does your field, Law, matter?

I was always drawn to the field of law ever since I was young. I believe that the field of law is important because we need more lawyers in the world to help society determine right from wrong and to help those who are innocent gain a voice and speak their stories against injustice.

So far, what classes, projects, subjects, or experiences have been the most meaningful or impactful?

The class that had the most impact on me was public speaking. In order to be a lawyer, you have to be able to speak loudly, clearly, and be convincing. I can’t say that I have gotten over the fear of public speaking, but I can say that I have learned some new tips to help me while making speeches and arguments.

How has Champlain helped you feel ready for post-grad life?

When I leave after graduation I want to be ready for exactly what I am getting into. I don’t want to go into law school and feel like this is not my life passion because then it would feel like a waste. Champlain has helped by giving me a taste of the classes I would take in law school during undergrad and it even helped me dial back the exact fields I want to go into.

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Alex Theodoreu

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

Internship

Weathered Sweater in Winooski, VT and Rad Magpie in Burlington, VT

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I was involved with Champlain College Esports from the first week of my first year to the beginning of my junior year. It was one of the best decisions I ever made because I met so many cool people and really felt like I found a place for myself at Champlain. The connections and friendships I made have been really great, and I did a lot of graphic design work for CCE so I was able to build a portfolio for that. I never expected to get involved with Esports at all when I got to college, but it was one of the best choices I made.

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

Two positions I really enjoyed having are being a Student Ambassador and being a Game Art Tutor.Being a Student Ambassador is such a great way to meet a new group of friends and start feeling more self-confident. SA really focuses on how to talk to people, how to represent yourself and the school professionally, and how to think through situations quickly and handle them with ease. I’ve become a much better speaker ever since I started giving tours, and that has helped me with so many things from giving better presentations for my classes to being able to communicate more effectively with the people I collaborate with. Game Art tutoring is a super rewarding job because you can do it when you’re a senior and actually be able to apply the knowledge you’ve accumulated over the past three years of college to help other students. It’s been great actually learning how to articulate what I do specifically in the programs I’m using so that I can clearly communicate how to fix an issue or show a person how to do something without confusing them. I find that I learn more about the programs I use by teaching others how to use them.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve found at Champlain?

I was surprised with how much I fell in love with the sunsets over the lake. I genuinely would schedule my meetings in the library right around when the sun would set so I could see the sunset over the entire horizon. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and I’m so happy I can sit in awe in front of my window every night and watch the sun fade into the mountains that frame Lake Champlain.

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