"Create your own story.” That’s what students are encouraged to do when they get to UNH. Experience as much as they can. Do it all, whatever that may be. An internship. Or two. Community service. Sports. Study abroad. Take an art class. Join a club. Build a life.
Here are a few students who are creating (or have created) their own stories.
Paige Balcom: Engineering a Global Adventure
When Paige Balcom ‘16 was a sophomore, she went to Uganda to work on a potable water project. That summer, the mechanical engineering major participated in a Fulbright Summer Institute in Wales, studying its transition from an agrarian economy.
She spent part of her junior year in an engineering program in Madrid. In September 2015, Balcom traveled to Beijing to attend the Global Grand Challenges Summit, where engineers discussed some of the world’s most pressing issues.
And during the recent winter break, she was in Costa Rica as part of a team exploring options for creating an aquaponics system to help families in the Central American country produce both fresh vegetables and fish.
For Paige, studying engineering at UNH has opened doors around the globe. Wherever you want to go, UNH can help get you there. All you have to do is ask.
Madison Lightfoot: Extracting the Most from UNH by Giving Her All
You want to know what busy looks like? Madison Lightfoot '16 will graduate in May with a double major in social work and women's studies and minors in psychology and race and ethnicity. Co-captain of the UNH women’s volleyball team, Madison helped lead the team to its third consecutive American East Championship. In addition to practices, games, class time and her campus community service, the Michigan native also volunteers with such national organizations as Net Impact, Dig Pink and Read Across America. Oh, and right now she’s studying for the LSAT.
During her four years here, Madison has been involved with Bring in the Bystander, Safe Zone and other sexual harassment and rape prevention programs. She also served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and did an internship with UNH's Carsey School of Public Policy.
Now, maybe it’s true that you can’t do it all. But at UNH, you can sure try.
Make your own story at UNH, with gusto.
Cecilia Martins '16
Cecilia Martins: Finding Community and Creating Change
Cecilia Martins '16 didn’t set out to attend UNH, but when she failed to feel a connection at her first-choice school, she found herself in the MUB, the Murkland Courtyard, Ham Smith and the many other places UNH students call home.
She found a community and fully immersed herself in it, volunteering at the campus ministry and food pantry, serving as chair of two student organizations and traveling to Washington, DC, and Selma, Alabama, to attend political science and social justice events. She also discovered a major that aligned with her passion for creating change through service and leadership.
With graduation just weeks away, she can look back on four years of scholarly and service success. Cecilia found her place here, and through her involvement, she made UNH a better place. Now she’ll make the world outside of UNH even better during a 12-month service assignment with City Year.
Read more about these and other UNH students on the Create Your Own Story website.
