Tag: My Why

Where will your degree take you – Trent Short

by Zac Douglas

Growing up with a basketball coach as a father, Trent Short saw the impact his father had on his players. The senior basketball player at the University of Mobile wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and make that same kind of impact.

“I’ve seen the impact that coaches can have on players and I hope to do that. Coach Archey, the University of Mobile men’s basketball coach, has done a great job of building relationships with us as players. He’s shown me how important it is to build relationships with guys, so they want to play for you, and they want to do the right things off the court as well,” said Trent.

Trent says the small campus of UM helps him learn how to build those personal relationships with students and professors that he’ll one day use as a coach.

“Everybody is friendly, and everyone knows each other. If you ever need anything, it’s really easy to ask another student, since we’re all in the same situation together. With the small classes, it’s also easy to reach out to professors as well, since they’ll remember your name and are happy to help out.”

Studying Kinesiology, Trent hopes to get a graduate assistant position at a Division 1 school to kick start his coaching career. He knows that Kinesiology can help him know more about his future players and prepare him to be a teacher as well.

“Dr. Lori Delong (dean of the School of Health and Sports Science) has been a huge help for me. She’s made me enjoy Kinesiology and made me think about teaching if I go into coaching high school basketball. She’s a fun teacher.”

An Ambassador for Christ

by Ashlyn Nichols

Whenever the spring semester arrives at the University of Mobile, flowers bloom near the sidewalks. The sun beams upon the campus, and the oak trees wave as they welcome students back to school. Friends reunite and anticipation is in the air. With the new semester comes athletic events, concerts, and one of the most highly-anticipated events… the selection of the University of Mobile Ambassadors.

Three years ago, I entered the program as a sophomore; last year I entered as the secretary; and this year I enter as the vice president. Over the course of my time at UM, it is safe to say that I have “grown up” with the program.

The UM Ambassador program has gifted me with the opportunity to refine my leadership, interpersonal and professional skills. My favorite part about the program is getting to build relationships with people both inside and outside UM. I have met people of diverse backgrounds and ages, and I love hearing their unique stories.

When I first visited UM, the ambassadors went above and beyond to make me feel right at home. When I committed to UM only two weeks before classes started, they were right there to answer my questions. Becoming a UM Ambassador has given me the chance to give back to the same community that I fell in love with at 18 years old. Entering college can be a daunting process, but that is where the ambassadors come in.

Most importantly, this program has deepened my understanding of what it means to live out 2 Corinthians 5:20. This verse encourages believers to be “an ambassador for Christ” first and foremost. Being an ambassador gives me the opportunity to showcase the love of God toward prospective students, faculty and staff.

One thing I love about the program is that we are ambassadors at events, but we are also ambassadors when we are studying in our sweatpants when the day ends. We eat together at fancy dinners, but we also grab lunch in the cafeteria between classes. The UM Ambassadors have become my second family, and they are the most genuine group of people. They are the first to fill a need, the first to encourage others, and the first to ask “what can I do?” Their dedication extends beyond the program and into daily life; there are many times they have helped me on some of my toughest days.

If you’re an ambassador, each day is different. Some days, we arrive at events in our freshly-ironed suits and heels, and other days, we drive golf carts in our khakis and tennis shoes. We can be found greeting our generous donors, giving campus tours, setting up chairs for graduation, and even taking care of real rabbits at the annual Easter Egg Hunt!

The supervisor of the UM Ambassadors program is Allie Ratcliff, director of alumni relations and community engagement in the Office for Advancement. I am thankful for her servant heart. Her dedication to the program is evident in the way she encourages us spiritually, brings us Chick-fil-A for lunch, and even invites us to her home for dinner!

I encourage every student to apply. Each prospective student is looking to feel connected, and you could be the reason why somebody decides to attend UM.

Called To Something Different

by Sonny Le

I have worked in the finance industry for a couple of years and was called to do something different – a calling to help people and make a little difference in the world. For me, that meant a career shift to the nursing field.

Choosing the University of Mobile for my nursing degree was easy. I was already a graduate student in the School of Business, working on my Master of Business Administration, when I applied to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

I love UM for the mere fact that the professors want you to succeed. The classroom size is very personable, and you are not just a number. All of my professors know me by name and are always willing to work with me and help me in any way possible.

The reason why I wanted to go into the nursing field is that I wanted to help the people who could not help themselves, especially medically. After a friend invited me to go on a medical mission trip (with no medical experience), the nurses and doctors on the trip took me under their wings, showing me things that I have never seen before. I was hooked; I went once and found myself going back on the same trip six months later, then again six months later. After working with people on these mission trips, I knew that the medical field was for me. At this point, I knew nursing was what I was meant to do. I applied to the ABSN program at UM, and the rest was history.

Known for Passion: A Place My Heart Needed

by Blake Walker

I graduated from the University of Mobile in the spring of 2015 with a degree in Worship Leadership with an emphasis in Church Ministries. Since graduating, I have had quite a journey.

I moved from Mobile to Houston, Texas, where I served a church for two years. In January of 2018, I moved to our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., to sing in a group which performed at the Museum of the Bible. Along with singing, I helped with a church plant (which was hard work!) After our contracts ended, I found myself back in the Mobile area.

I ask myself all the time, “Where would I be if not for the grace of God and the University of Mobile?”

I can’t say enough how thankful I am for UM. It was a place that my heart needed. I’ve always had a passion for music, but my time at UM stirred that passion, and the outcome was a growing love for music and ministry. At the University of Mobile, I was mentored by the best of the best.

In the fall of 2019, I recorded an EP called “Generation to Generation.” This was a project that was unlike any I had done before, because it was all driven by worship choir. In February, about a month after its release, I signed a publishing and songwriting deal with LifeWay Worship.

If you’d have asked me five years ago if I would be a staff writer for LifeWay, I would have looked at you and laughed. Songwriting is something that I’ve always wanted to be good at, but never thought I was. I would always try to place myself around writers who were better than me and, in doing so, I grew. I did the same with singing! I traveled with UM’s Voices of Mobile for four years, and being around singers who are way better than I’ll ever be, helped me grow!

My UM experience was vital to my spiritual and personal growth. I was challenged, encouraged and loved. I would not be the man I am today if it weren’t for my time at UM. I am not only spiritually prepared for ministry, I’m also well connected with churches and ministers all over the world.

UM doesn’t just give you book knowledge; it gives you a platform which makes you valuable because you graduate experienced. My experience at UM left me well prepared for life in the church world.

Just like I chased my passion for ministry and music, you can do the same! What are you passionate about?

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

#MyWhy — Bauyrzhan

by Noah Walters

My wife and two sons came with me to the University of Mobile from Kazakhstan, so I could pursue a college education. I plan to get a Master of Business Administration, along with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and management. Coming to the U.S. has already made a huge impact on my life, as I have an opportunity to see and explore the world. My experience at UM has taught me a lot about businesses and practical applications. UM has helped me deepened my knowledge and given me insight on how corporations operate and how management decisions influence industries. I love the people at UM – the friendly environment and the opportunity to talk to professors that are willing to share their time and knowledge, really helps me feel welcomed.  While I am still in school, I am positive that the education and experiences I have received at the University of Mobile will broaden my vision and contribute to my future endeavors.

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