Student

Rebecca Shute

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Michael Silverio

Advice to Students?

Block out time for work each week and start working on assignments as soon as they are assigned, no matter how far the due date.

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Movie: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Inspirational Quote?

“A delayed product is eventually good, but a rushed one is forever bad.” – Shigeru Miyamoto

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jaskaran Singh

Favorite Class

Advanced Cinematography

Internship

Production & Camera Intern at Class Four Co. in Burlington, VT

Tell us about your internship!

I am a Production and Camera Intern at Class Four Co. I help with most of the production-related work during gigs and in-house shooting. I had opportunities to learn new equipment, meet new people from the industry, and learn industry practices such as speaking with clients, getting paid by the gig, and other industry fluency.

What do you like about your program?

My major is intimate enough that my professors and classmates know who I am, and can help me be who I want to be. That is probably the best part about Filmmaking at Champlain College.

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

Champlain has turned me into a very hungry person. Champlain offers lots of opportunity, and it gives me so many chances to navigate lots of possibilities for my future.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jessica Skavicus

Favorite Class

Introduction to Typography

So far, what classes, projects, subjects, or experiences have been most meaningful or impactful? What action or change have they inspired?

The classes that have been the most impactful were Digital Image and Art History. In Digital Image, not only have we learned how to properly take a picture and edit it, but also what message we want to communicate through the photo. For instance, we had to take photos of people for a project, and we needed to convey an emotion. In order to do that, we needed to think about camera angle, how we would edit it, and the relationship between the environment and the person. While in Art History, we learned about different works of art and how they have influenced culture and public opinion regarding certain people or events.

What have you gained from Core? Has it changed your perspective?

I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from other students and their stories have changed my perspective about how our society should change. These stories helped me understand events, stories, and feelings that I would not have experienced. My favorite Core class is IDP: Fake Meat. I learned so much about how the U.S. is consuming meat at an alarming rate and how fake meat is a solution.

What does success mean to you?

Success for me is creating a strong portfolio and resume, and getting employed in a design firm that I can integrate into, but remain individualistic.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Erika Skorstad

Specialization

Creative Writing & Literature

Internship

Study Breaks Magazine, San Antonio, TX (remote) and GenZ Publishing (remote)

What do you like about your program?

I’ve had many incredible experiences in the Professional Writing program. The wide variety of writing classes I’ve taken have allowed me to hone in on what I’d like to do in the future; Publishing in the 21st Century has provided me insight into the many different paths and jobs in publishing. For my Capstone project, I’m curating a food-themed literary magazine. I feel that I can do this because I have that extra understanding of the publishing process and Division of Information Technology & Sciences roles. Through my interactive narrative classes, I’ve created an interactive mystery experience that takes place across multiple media platforms. Not only have these projects provided me with valuable experience, but they also make excellent portfolio pieces.

What’s your favorite Core experience?

For my music class in Dublin, we sang traditional Irish songs and played instruments-my favorite was the tin whistle. We even attended performances in pubs. For the final, my boyfriend and I sang a duet of “Falling Slowly” from the Irish movie Once.

Have you worked on-campus in either a part-time or work-study position? What relevant life skills have you learned?

I work as a staff writer for the CCM News Hub and Weathervane. In this position, I’ve had the chance to interview people and practice active listening and sniffing out a story. With the articles I write for Weathervane, I’ve learned to adhere to tight deadlines. I’ve sharpened my communication skills; in addition to communicating with professors and students I interview, I work closely with the managing editor and editor in chief of Weathervane on revisions and ideas about the direction of the magazine. Now, I’m more comfortable collaborating with others, regardless of hierarchies.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jon Smith

Piece of advice to students?

Do your work early in the morning if possible.

What's your favorite book or movie?

Movie: Good Will Hunting Book: Game of Thrones Series

Inspirational Quote?

“Work hard in silence let success be your noise.” -Frank Ocean

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Olivia Sommerer

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.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Nick Spanos

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.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Nyjah Strange

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!”

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Adam Streeter

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 importantexperience 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.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Cory Sweitzer

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.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Katherine Taddeo

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.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Lily Tammik

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.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jessica Taylor

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 criticalthinking 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.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jack Tenda

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.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page