Name: Heather Bradshaw

Hometown: Dexter, MI

Major: Integrated Social Studies

Activities: Carolyn M. Small Honors Program, Bonner Leader, volleyball, co-executive director of Dance Marathon, orientation leader, presenter at Global Summit and McMaster Symposium

Career Plans: AmeriCorps Vista worker, then pursue master’s degree in non-profit management

What is something you didn’t expect about your DC experience?
I didn’t really expect to have all the amazing opportunities I’ve had. I didn’t expect to come in and make such an easy transition. Everyone here makes college life such a great experience. I would not trade my experiences here for anything.

How has Defiance College prepared you for your future?
I feel I have gained so much both inside and outside of the classroom. I am a more knowledgeable and aware person about world issues because of Defiance College. Defiance has made me a professional after presenting at the McMaster Symposium and Global Summit, and I feel I have found my purpose in life because of the people and experiences I have had here at DC.

What would you say to high school students considering Defiance College?
If you want a school that makes you feel important and that you matter, Defiance is right for you. If you want a college that gives you opportunities to bring change to a campus, other people, and your own life, Defiance is right for you.

Name: Bryant Green

Hometown: Fishers, IN

Major: Criminal Justice and Psychology

Activities: Carolyn M. Small Honors Program, football, pep band, PULSE, Phi Sigma Chi, Criminal Justice Society, student string ensemble

Career Plans: Attend law school.

What is something you didn’t expect about your DC experience?
I didn’t expect to be so involved in the classes I was taking. The stereotypical college class has hundreds of kids, and the professor wouldn’t even notice if you weren’t there. At DC, the staff is so personal, it is unbelievable. I can talk to them in their office almost whenever I need to. I am even friends with a lot of my profs on Facebook.

How has Defiance College prepared you for your future?
DC has done a great job preparing me for whatever I continue to do after college. There have been so many opportunities that I have taken advantage of since I came here. First, football has helped me develop a vigorous work ethic; and second, experiences like visiting the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio and then touring Pittsburgh really taught me a lot about how the criminal justice system works.  If I keep up the success I had in my first year, I definitely feel like I will be on the right track for whatever I do after college.

What would you say to high school students considering Defiance College?
Throughout high school my teachers used scare tactics telling us that college is so incredibly hard, and telling us horror stories about how a huge amount of people drop out. That is not to say that DC isn’t a challenge by any means, but it is certainly different. The atmosphere is amazing. In high school I wasn’t interested in the material. Here It’s so interesting I can’t help but become engaged.

Name: Katie Carunchia

Hometown: Garrett, IN

Major: Business Administration with concentration in Marketing

Activities: Carolyn M. Small Honors Program, basketball, Bonner Leader, Orientation leader, resident assistant, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, yearbook, Criminal Justice Society

Career Plans: Attend law school.

What is something you didn’t expect about your DC experience?
I expected to be involved, but not as involved as I am. I didn’t realize I’d make so many connections with professors and community members. There are just a lot of opportunities I didn’t know I’d have. It has met my expectations and exceeded them.  My day starts at seven and ends at midnight.

How has Defiance College prepared you for your future?
My future goal is law school, so being involved has definitely helped me manage my time. I’ve formed a stronger work ethic.  I have a lot of help from advisers, professors and staff.

What would you say to high school students considering Defiance College?
If you come from a smaller school or smaller learning environment, it’s a great transition. If you like to be involved, it’s a great place to take advantage of the opportunities. if you’re a commuter, don’t just come to class. Get involved. The more involved you are, the better it is for everyone on campus.

Name: Kyle Shong

Hometown: Defiance, OH

Major: History with minor in Communication Arts

Activities: Carolyn M. Small Honors Program, Citizen Leader, freshman and sophomore class president, Student Senate president, McMaster Scholar

Career Plans: Graduate school with plans for international studies, politic science, or conflict management. On an international scale there are a lot of people that need help. I think that diverting resources, directing more financial support, that would be something really interesting to do with your life.

What is something you didn’t expect about your DC experience?
When I went to (the local) high school, I worked the entire time. I knew when I went to college that I wanted to be involved. Coming in, I did the Citizen Leader program which opened several doors. I began participating in different events on campus, and it led to a trickle down effect. The Student Senate opened doors, and I met new people.

How has Defiance College prepared you for your future?
My experiences have made me more confident, given me leadership skills. I know that I have a competitive edge. You go into interviews like that – with more confidence and an interesting background, and you have a leading edge. I’ve spoken at different conferences, and Defiance is one of the few institutions that has a program like the McMaster School. People are always amazed at what our undergraduates do.

What would you say to high school students considering Defiance College?
As a high school student, you should consider it as a great opportunity. You should come with your mind open. Don’t be the quiet student in the corner.  Speak up and participate. There are many opportunities to travel. If you don’t want to travel, there are leadership opportunities. There are different programs you can work on – intramural sports, CAB, a wide range of student leadership activities to participate in.

Name: Treasure Bacon

Hometown: Archbold, OH

Major: Criminal Justice and Communication Arts

Activities: Carolyn M. Small Honors Program, Junior Homecoming attendant, Ambassador, Academic Resource Center writing consultant

Career Plans: My career plans are to do a year of service with the Lutheran Volunteer Corps following graduation and to attend graduate school upon return. I have not pinpointed exactly what I would like to pursue in graduate school, but I would like to pursue a graduate studies path that would present me with the opportunities to one day become a part of the FBI Hostage Negotiation Task Force or work as a conflict negotiator/mediation specialist.

What is something you didn’t expect about your DC experience?
I was not expecting to be presented with so many unique opportunities to become involved with the campus. There are so many different ways that students can become active and involved on campus and step into positions of leadership. No matter what interest one may have, one will likely find something that suits their area of enjoyment. If there is an activity or organization that a student would like to see offered on campus, students will oftentimes gain support from the campus community in their endeavor to transform the idea into reality. In fact, since I joined campus in 2007, there have been several new organizations that have been established on campus. The fact that there are so many possibilities is truly empowering.

How has Defiance College prepared you for your future?
Throughout my courses, I have been challenged to stretch my thinking and understanding of issues and become a more well-informed individual. I feel that Defiance College has provided me with valuable experiences that have helped me to more effectively convey my ideas and perspectives. Through having the opportunity to present at the Honors Symposia and a conference, I have become more comfortable and confident in my presentation skills, which will be extremely useful in whatever path I follow. Having the opportunities to work with classmates, faculty, and staff in academic and professional settings has equipped me with teamwork skills that will prove beneficial in future group work settings. The academic mission of Defiance College, "To Know, To Understand, To Lead, and To Serve," has firmly established ideals that I continue to strive for. Dedication to these goals will undoubtedly bode me very well in whatever career path I find myself in.

What would you say to high school students considering Defiance College?
Defiance College truly promotes an atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement for in-depth learning, experiencing new things, and rising to new challenges. You will form relationships that will last long after you walk across the graduation stage. There are so many unique opportunities to experience and ways to get active on campus. The faculty and staff serve as valuable resources who provide sound advice to students, encourage students to pursue their dreams, and assist students in accomplishing their goals. There is a resounding feeling across campus of support, care, and family. If you would decide to become a Defiance College Yellow Jacket, you would be welcomed into the Defiance College family.