There’s no way we could run our office without the help of our fabulous student workers. There’s also no way we’d enjoy coming to work as much as we do if we didn’t get to hang out with them all day long. We love our student workers, and so will you. So get to know them! 

Name: Jasmine Chenault
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology (Pre-Law)
Minor: Philosophy & Art
Hometown: Mt. Sterling, KY –Montgomery County High School

How long have you been working for Bellarmine Admissions?  This is my first year working in Admissions at Bellarmine!  This year I started a position as a Hall Host, meaning I get to work with a lot of prospective students that are interested in learning about what our campus is like.

What all do you do in Admissions? Each week, I give campus tours to show visitors all the types of things Bellarmine and Louisville have to offer.  It’s one of the best ways to get to know future Knights while showing them what makes BU special.  Along with tours, each semester I have 3 or 4 OverKnights, which gives high school senior students that have been accepted to Bellarmine an extended stay to preview life on campus.  Also, I work in the admissions office during the week, working with counselors and welcoming visitors.

What do you like about working in Bellarmine Admissions?  My favorite part of being a member of the Admissions team is talking with students.  It’s really nice to get to explain my reasons for loving the college I’m at and hoping that impacts someone else who might not be as sure on what they’re looking for in college.  I’ve met a lot of fun, interesting students in just my first year, and I’m really hoping that they stay in touch!

Why did you choose Bellarmine? When I was applying to college, I always knew I wanted to be at a smaller, private school because I would be able to be closer to my professors and get an education that meant something to me.  So, I visited Bellarmine a few times for scholarship interviews and fell in love with the campus.  From the beginning I loved the idea of living in a city setting and still having the small community feeling I was used to.  The first time I left Bellarmine I knew I’d found the best match for me.  Plus, they had a prestigious Mock Trial team I wanted to be a part of… :)

Outside of Admissions, how else are you involved at Bellarmine? Aside from being a Hall Host, I’ve been involved in quite a few extracurricular activities!  This is my second year on the Mock Trial team and it takes up quite a bit of my free time with practicing and traveling on weekends, but it’s so worth the hours and dedication. I’ve also participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Pre-Law Society, Art Club, Knights Nation, and the Honors Program while at Bellarmine.

What has been your favorite BU memory so far? Hmm, my favorite so far would probably be from my freshman year. My friends and I would do silly little things like Thursday night Chinese & Netflix dates or meet up with our guy friends across the halls to play Call of Duty or FIFA.  We would turn a lot of little activities into weekly school breaks, and that gave me some of the best memories. I always had fun going to the important or significant events, but there’s nothing like the simple stuff when you’re a college student with a crazy, hectic schedule.

Name 3 things on your Bellarmine Bucket List to do before you graduate. 1) Make it to Nationals with my Mock Trial Team. 2)  Study abroad in Asia. 3) Be accepted into law school!

What has been your favorite class so far? Okay, Okay. I couldn’t settle on just one…so I chose two.  For my arts requirement, I took a black & white film photography class where I got to develop my own pictures in the campus darkroom. I’m obsessed now with the photography; it was incredible.  My other favorite was an interdisciplinary course called Music In Louisville where I got to experience new types of music all over different areas of Louisville.  Classes truly don’t have to be boring!!!

Where is your favorite place to study on campus? The library is great, but when I really know I have a lot of work to get done I head over to the School of Communication. The building’s classrooms are a lot bigger than the rest and have blinds that can be raised so I can have a lovely study view, day or night.  I’ve spent a many days there camped out during finals week.

What advice do you have for students while at Bellarmine? To step outside of your comfort zone and try something new!  You only get one chance to be an undergraduate student, so if you don’t try something exciting and interesting at least once, you’re really missing out.  I plan on taking piano lessons and exploring art classes while I still can. :) 

There’s no way we could run our office without the help of our fabulous student workers. There’s also no way we’d enjoy coming to work as much as we do if we didn’t get to hang out with them all day long. We love our student workers, and so will you. So get to know them! 

Name: Katie Ransdell
Year: Sophomore
Major: Nursing
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Villa Hills (it’s in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area) — Villa Madonna Academy High School

How long have you been working for Bellarmine Admissions?  Before this year, I worked with the Admissions Office as a student Ambassador by working Discover Days and Knight U. This is my first year being a member of the Hall Host Program, and I love it!

What all do you do in Admissions? As a Hall Host, I work desk hours in the Admissions Office, give a weekly tour of campus, and host prospective students each semester.

What do you like about working in Bellarmine Admissions?  I love the atmosphere in Admissions! All the counselors and other Hall Hosts are friendly and welcoming, and I always have a great time when I’m working. I love the opportunity that I get as a Hall Host to share my awesome experiences at Bellarmine with other students!

Why did you choose Bellarmine? My junior year I was visiting family in Louisville when my grandpa (who is a former Knight!) encouraged me to look at Bellarmine. I had never heard of BU before, but after my visit, I knew it was perfect for me. I loved the small school feel, the amazing nursing program, and the city of Louisville! My parents still made me look at other schools, but at the end of my visits I always compared them to BU. I ended up applying for three colleges, and even though I was almost positive I was going to end up at BU, I attended an overnight visit just to make sure. I had so much fun at the overnight that I went home and told my mom that I decided to go to Bellarmine.  So far all the wonderful experiences I have had at Bellarmine both in and out of the classroom have convinced me that I made the right choice!

Outside of Admissions, how else are you involved at Bellarmine? Besides being a Hall Host and a student Ambassador, I am heavily involved with the Leadership Team for CREW where I help plan and run freshman orientation. I am also a member of the Bellarmine Association of Nursing Students, and I am involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters off campus.

What has been your favorite BU memory so far? It’s difficult to pick the one thing that I have enjoyed the most at Bellarmine, but probably one of my favorites was getting to be a CREW leader for freshman orientation this year. I loved getting to know my small group, doing the Wacky Olympics activities, and performing in the skits during Crossroads!

Name 3 things on your Bellarmine Bucket List to do before you graduate. Before I graduate from Bellarmine I want to: 1) Go to Derby with a big group of friends 2) Try all the restaurants on Bardstown Road  3) Make a difference in the life of at least one patient in my nursing clinicals.

What’s your favorite thing about BU? I love the small class sizes at Bellarmine. I came from a very small high school where all the teachers knew who I was, and I love that Bellarmine is the same way! There has not been a single class where I felt like I was just a number to the professor. It allows for so much more one-on-one time with professors and other students, and it’s the perfect learning environment for me. I think this aspect of Bellarmine is especially important in the nursing program. Nursing is such a hands-on major that sometimes I really need that personalized attention from my instructor to make sure that I am doing my skills correctly.

What’s your favorite place to eat on campus? I love the breakfast at The Palio! They always have so many options in the mornings that it’s so hard to choose sometimes, but my favorite thing to order is the sausage, egg, and cheese muffin. I love getting up on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I know I have time to run up to Palio for a great meal!

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen? I would tell them to get involved and get out of their comfort zone. My freshman year I got involved on campus, but I was too shy to really put myself out there to make friends. Then, one day I decided to actually do something to change my situation. I decided to be more active in trying to get involved and meet people, and it worked! College is what you make of it. So go in with a positive attitude, get involved, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!

There’s no way we could run our office without the help of our fabulous student workers. There’s also no way we’d enjoy coming to work as much as we do if we didn’t get to hang out with them all day long. We love our student workers, and so will you. So get to know them!

Name: Annie Baumer
Year: Junior
Major: Psychology: Human Services
Minor: Health Care
Hometown: Newburgh, IN — Reitz Memorial High School

How long have you been working for Bellarmine Admissions?  Since Fall 2012

What all do you do in Admissions? I’m a Hall Host, so I work in the office and give tours during the week. I’m also on the leadership team for Ambassadors, so I help organize Ambassador events.

What do you like about working in Bellarmine Admissions?  I love meeting new people, so giving tours to prospective students is a lot of fun! I also enjoy working with the other student workers and the counselors!

Why did you choose Bellarmine? I knew some people from my high school went here, so I decided to check it out. After my first visit, I knew that it was one of my top schools. I did overnight visits to several schools, including Bellarmine. After experiencing a typical day on BU’s campus, I knew it was the school for me.

Outside of Admissions, how else are you involved at Bellarmine? Phi Mu sorority, Bellarmine Orientation Student Staff, Ambassadors, Relay for Life Committee, Peer Educator

What has been your favorite BU memory so far? It was hard to pick one, but I’d have to say Relay for Life. Everyone on campus comes together for one night to raise money for cancer patients and research. It’s amazing what we can do when we all work together.

Name 3 things on your Bellarmine Bucket List to do before you graduate. 1) Go to Derby, 2) Be on an Admissions flyer, and 3) Eat a Bellarmine Burger at Shenanigan’s

How did you adjust to college life? I had no problems adjusting from living at home to living at Bellarmine and in Louisville. I think what made it so easy for me was getting involved in activities from the beginning of my freshman year. There is an involvement fair at the beginning of every semester, so it’s really easy to get involved! By getting involved, I made a ton of friends I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. A great example of this was joining Phi Mu my freshman year. I met a lot of upperclassmen I didn’t know previously, and probably wouldn’t have met at all. It gave me a home away from home.

What are your favorite parts about Bellarmine? My favorite parts about Bellarmine are the professors. They really make an effort to get to know you and help you in any way possible. Personally, I know that the psychology professors have helped me figure out what I want to do in the future. I believe the small class sizes help you to have a better relationship with your professors.

What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends? I like to try a new restaurant every weekend! Louisville and the Bardstown Road area have so much to offer! I’m still not close to the end of my list!

There’s no way we could run our office without the help of our fabulous student workers. There’s also no way we’d enjoy coming to work as much as we do if we didn’t get to hang out with them all day long. We love our student workers, and so will you. So get to know them! 

Name: Megan Leffler
Year: Junior
Major: Medical Laboratory Science
Hometown: Elizabethtown, KY — Central  Hardin High School

How long have you been working for Bellarmine Admissions?  I have been a part of the Admissions team since my sophomore year as a Hall Host. I have loved getting to know all of the counselors and prospective students!

What all do you do in Admissions? As a Hall Host, I give weekly tours and work  desk hours in Admissions to welcome prospective families to Bellarmine University! I also am a student co-director of the Hall Hosts along with my roommate, Elizabeth Ivey, as we plan the events for students during OverKnights. I am part of a great team that shows prospective students what Bellarmine has to offer!

What do you like about working in Bellarmine Admissions?  Admissions  is a place where I can meet future freshmen even before they arrive as Knights. I get to know them pretty well and become a portal for them to ask questions about what Bellarmine is really like! I like having the opportunity to be a stepping stone for students and to give back to them the same amazing support I received as a prospective student three years ago.

Why did you choose Bellarmine? My major is Medical Laboratory Science. Not many people have ever heard what MLS is, but essentially, I will be performing specimen testing behind-the-scenes in hospitals working closely with nurses. With this major, my college options were somewhat limited, so a large state school was my only other choice. Before I toured Bellarmine, I was pretty set on the state school because I thought it was a wiser financial decision and my dad is a big basketball fan of theirs. But, when I toured their campus, it was huge, and I was so mortified and discouraged about college. I heard about Bellarmine, applied and got my scholarship package really early on to realize that it actually was affordable. After touring BU’s beautiful campus, I felt right at home and not overwhelmed at all. For some reason it just fit!

Outside of Admissions, how else are you involved at Bellarmine? With my major, I stay pretty busy in labs most days throughout the week, but I manage to make time to work as a Hall Host and a work-study at the FLYNN building, where Respiratory Therapy and Exercise Science departments are housed. I am also a Bellarmine student Ambassador working larger Admissions events like Discover Days and KnightU for future Knights. I’m part of the MLSci Club as well, participating in many service events throughout Louisville.

What has been your favorite BU memory so far? Picking out one stand-out memory in my 2 ½ years at BU is pretty difficult. But I do have to say that becoming a Hall Host last year, I was able to meet a lot of people who I still am able to say are my good friends, and this year it has become the same way. The Hall Hosts become a family, and just hanging out on the weekends watching movies and playing random games are some of the most spontaneous and fun times I have at BU.

Name 3 things on your Bellarmine Bucket List to do before you graduate. 1) I have yet to attend Ball on the Belle, the Halloween dance on the Belle of Louisville. I have one more year to go, so it’s looking like I better think of a costume for Halloween this year! 2) If all goes well, I will be living off-campus this May in a house with some friends, because I have a summer semester this year. I have lived on-campus for three years, so being a commuter will be a new experience! 3) I am planning on going to the Kentucky Derby this year!

How has Bellarmine made an impact on your life? I have Bellarmine’s motto, “In Veritatis Amore” tattooed on my foot. I love the quote, meaning “In the Love of Truth.” Many years down the road, I am proud to say that Bellarmine will always be a part of me, and I will never forget the experiences, friends, and memories I have made here.

What’s your favorite thing to do on campus? I love going to Bellarmine basketball games and cheering on our Knights! Along with the great game, there are usually free t-shirts, free tailgating food, and the cutest little boy who sits in the stands with his parents and dances at every timeout.

What advice do you have for prospective Knights? I would recommend putting yourself out there with no restraints. Especially during Crossroads and Orientation as a freshman, try to meet as many people as possible. That’s what is great about college. You can start new with no reputations from high school, and you get to build your friend group with those that you have back home. I was able to learn more about myself once I became involved, and I have no regrets!

There’s no way we could run our office without the help of our fabulous student workers. There’s also no way we’d enjoy coming to work as much as we do if we didn’t get to hang out with them all day long. We love our student workers, and so will you. So get to know them! 

Name: Jared Malcolm Findlater
Year: Senior
Major: Chemistry, Pre-Med
Minor: Anthropology
Hometown: Marengo, Iowa — Iowa Valley High School…yeah you probably haven’t heard of it.

How long have you been working for Bellarmine Admissions?  I have been working in Bellarmine Admissions since the fall semester of my junior year as a Hall Host.

What all do you do in Admissions? Like most of the other Hall Hosts, I work some “office” hours where I send out emails to prospective students or sit at the Admissions desk to answer any questions.  Along with this, I get to give tours once a week and house any prospective male students for an Overknight. 

What do you like about working in Bellarmine Admissions? Overall there isn’t much I dislike about working in Bellarmine Admissions, but my favorite part is talking with the families. Talking to the families is absolutely wonderful. I get to meet new people and I get to help them make the right choice about their future. I completely agree Bellarmine will give almost anyone the best college experience. However, I also understand that BU isn’t for everyone, and helping a student make the right choice about their college education is the most rewarding part about being working in Admissions.

Why did you choose Bellarmine? Heading into my last summer as a high school student, I was set on going to a small school in Minnesota.  Out of state was a necessity.  I met a family from Louisville about a week after I got an email from BU and they talked very highly about BU.  I decided to take one more college visit and absolutely loved this place!!  The feel was perfect.  I really liked the track coach and the other runners I met along with Dr. Ellis, the head of the Chemistry Department.  I knew this is where I wanted to go.  I applied to BU as soon as I got back home and got my “accepted letter” before I even had a chance to apply to another school.

Outside of Admissions, how else are you involved at Bellarmine? I have been running track all four years and involved in some intramurals as well…when I’m not in season.  On top of sports, I have been a part of CREW and the Leadership Team for Crossroads, VP of Recreation, Intramurals, and Athletics for our Student Government, BellarMEN (Men of Education and Networking), Day and Knight and The Knights’ Way.

What has been your favorite BU memory so far? This is such a difficult question to answer. I think the one that stands above the rest is becoming an Academic All-American for track.  Running for ten years and accomplishing a feat that you never thought was possible is magnificent.  Especially since it was the 4x400m relay, so I got to share the honor with my teammates.

Name 3 things on your Bellarmine Bucket List to do before you graduate. 1) Become an All-American (top 8 in the nation) 2) Be accepted into medical school 3) Be able to say I gave BU as much as BU gave me

What is your favorite aspect of Bellarmine? My favorite aspect of Bellarmine is the cheesy cliché, that is very true though, “Be you at BU”. You can be whoever you want to be at Bellarmine. I am the athlete. I am the nerd. I am the involved person. You can become a person that you never thought possible. You will grow into a person that you would have never expected, because that is what Bellarmine does. The true education isn’t truly the “book” education; the true education of Bellarmine is the best education anyone can get: the education of you. You will find your niche and before you know it, you will have a career lined up before you have even graduated.

What separates Bellarmine from other universities? After talking to students that go to state schools, Ivy League schools, and other prestigious universities, I realized that no matter where you go, you will make friends. You will get a great education. But at Bellarmine, you will be a part of the school. The professors will know your name after the first week of class. You will have a professor who you only had for one semester come up and ask you how everything is going and mean it. You will have professors, administrators, and the vice president of the school come up to you and remind you that they will write a recommendation letter for you; you don’t have to search for those “perks”. The professors and administrators will know you on a personal basis, not just as one of their typical students.

If you could give any advice to someone surveying colleges, what would you say?  The best advice I would give anyone, even if they decided not to go to Bellarmine, would be: do not transfer after the first semester. Wait the full year to make any decision on if the school you are at is the best place for you. College is something new, even if you have been dying to go since you were a sophomore in high school like I was. I almost transferred after my first semester because I didn’t think Bellarmine was “my fit”. I really enjoyed the classes, the people and the track aspect, but it just didn’t feel right. I soon realized that Bellarmine wasn’t the issue…I was the issue. I was too afraid of getting involved and my grades suffering. I was always involved in high school and thought that I didn’t want that anymore. I was depriving myself of what the university had to offer. Thus, if you don’t like the university you are at right off the bat, that is normal. Confusion is normal. College is a new experience. New experiences, any experience really, never meets the expectations you have. Don’t be afraid to throw out your expectations and try new things. Don’t be afraid of the unknown. College is a time to make life long connections with professors, friends and yourself; don’t deprive yourself of the true experience of what you ultimately want by not giving a university more than a mere 3 months for the basis of your decision.

There’s no way we could run our office without the help of our fabulous student workers. There’s also no way we’d enjoy coming to work as much as we do if we didn’t get to hang out with them all day long. We love our student workers, and so will you. So get to know them! 

Name: Stephanie Roa
Year: Junior
Major: Elementary Education (Grades P-5) and Learning and Behavior Disorders (Special Education: Grades P-12)
Hometown: Chicago, IL — Plainfield Central  High School

How long have you been working for Bellarmine Admissions?  This is my second year as an Ambassador and my first semester as a Hall Host!

What all do you do in Admissions? My sophomore year I decided to become an Ambassador, working with the different Admissions events. This second semester of my junior year, I was chosen to become a Hall Host, where we host prospective students overnight, work a few desk hours each week, and give weekly campus tours, on top of making great friends and memories!

What do you like about working in Bellarmine Admissions?  I love the friendly atmosphere the counselors and students provide. I also love being able to work with the prospective students that are interested in coming to Bellarmine. I was nervous becoming a Hall Host in the middle of the academic school year because the other Hall Hosts have been together for the entire fall semester and had gotten to know each other well. Another student and I were given the opportunity to join the group of the students who had already spent an entire semester, if not more, getting to know each other and the Admissions Office in between first and second semester. But so far everyone has welcomed me with open arms and has been awesome in helping me with learning the office work and to give tours.

Why did you choose Bellarmine? Honestly, I could not even tell you. I applied and got accepted to 5 schools: 2 in Michigan, 1 in Wisconsin, 1 in Iowa, and Bellarmine. I did not apply to any school in Illinois, which is where I am from, because I told myself that I needed to see the world after high school, get new perspectives, and going to college out-of-state where I knew absolutely no one would be the boldest move I think I could ever make being 18. When I was playing competitive travel softball, we had a tournament in Newport, Kentucky, very close to Cincinnati, Ohio. I fell in love with the state of Kentucky and told myself when I was 15 that no matter what school accepted me in Kentucky, the first one that did would be my first choice. I received a postcard in the mail from Bellarmine and asked the staff around my high school if they had heard of it. Literally no one had, but there was a hall monitor at my high school named Doug O’Brien who asked me one day where I had gotten my shirt from (it was a Bellarmine shirt). I told him that Bellarmine had sent me some t-shirts in the mail and he asked me if it was Bellarmine in Louisville. I told him yes and asked, “You know of it?” He laughed and said, “Yes, my wife went there when she was young and she was in one of the first few classes to graduate from Bellarmine when it had merged to include women.” When he said this I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He introduced me to his wife and she talked to me all about it! I fell in love with the school and decided it was time for me to head to Bellarmine!

Outside of Admissions, how else are you involved at Bellarmine? I was on the SGA (Student Government Association) Public Relations Committee, was a member of WinC (Women in College) and a mentor for a year, I am a member of Black Student Union, I have been a CREW (Orientation) leader for 2 years now, this is my second year as an Ambassador, and I volunteer at some events when I can. I love being a part of campus.

What has been your favorite BU memory so far? There are so many to choose from! Well, my absolute favorite would have to be the moment I found the frog on the knight statue at the beginning of my sophomore year. It was the greatest feeling ever. My professor of my IDC class gave us a scavenger hunt around campus to do and get exercise in at the same time. Finding the frog was one of the tasks. Everyone was there for a good 10-15 minutes looking for it, and when my partner and I came up to the statue I looked around then looked up and there it was! I was so excited!

Name 3 things on your Bellarmine Bucket List to do before you graduate. 1) Go to Oaks and Derby, 2) Climb the knight statue and take a picture, and 3) Be in some kind of Bellarmine advertisement, poster, magazine, etc.

Describe your BU experience so far in one word. Transforming.  I am growing into a person that I never thought I could be, and BU has aided in that so much.

Tell us a campus secret, or something Bellarmine students should take more advantage of during their time here. Going to events and getting involved. You’re not going to get these undergraduate years back, so get involved, go to events, and make memories! You’ll have those for a lifetime and great friends to share them with after college. I didn’t do much my first semester freshman year and I kind of regret it. Being involved was a great decision; now I have many more friends, memories, opportunities, and references that keep adding to the existing list.