Majors are among the stars of the academic world. Whether students keep the same one throughout their time in college, change them along the way or double them up, majors play a central role in the college experience.
Rarer, though, are mentions of a minor or an academic certificate gained through completing specially arranged courses. That’s often because students don’t have a minor or in many cases may not even know they exist.
They’re more experienced, wiser and happy with how things turned out since graduation.
We asked several Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions Outstanding Graduates from the last decade to share with the current generation of students what made them successful — both during their time at ASU and afterward.
The challenge to take on the intersecting crises of our times — from the COVID-19 pandemic to the climate emergency to the struggle for social and racial justice — is at the core of a new bachelor’s degree program in community development designed to qualify graduates to meet a growing demand for interesting and important jobs in the field.
An idea popped into Erin Schneiderman’s mind as the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine entered her arm during an early-morning appointment in the State Farm Stadium parking lot.
Was there some way her special event management students could be part of this process, she wondered?
The answer was yes.
Life after college looks different for every student athlete. Some may move on to the pros. Others will put their sports-playing days behind them as they graduate into unrelated careers.
But some student athletes competing in intercollegiate sports at Arizona State University are putting their athletic capabilities to work in closely related fields taught in programs offered by the School of Community Resources and Development.
Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2021 graduates.
“If you want something done, ask a busy person.”
That advice, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, characterizes well the lived experience of ASU spring 2021 graduate Leah Elise Thompson, whose involvement beyond academics only seemed to grow her capacity for leadership and serving others.
Municipal parks and youth sports programs are gradually reopening as restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ease. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, many users have discovered local, regional and national parks as a safe outdoor alternative to closed indoor public spaces.
Donors gave about $70 million over the past 10 years to expand Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions’ programs, support its students, increase its research impact and drive its community service.
Three recent graduates and a senior at Arizona State University have won prestigious fellowships offered by the U.S. Department of State.
Tatum James and Jacqueline White Menchaca, both 2020 ASU graduates, have been awarded the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program Fellowship. Additionally, senior Cameron Vega and May 2020 graduate Claudia Rivera Garcia have been awarded the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship.