“I was really excited to come here, and it’s exactly what I hoped for,” said Hailey Siege ’30, MOT ‘31, an occupational therapy dual-degree 4+1 ½ student from Pennsylvania, with aspirations to change lives one day.

Siege’s experience at Quinnipiac has been transformational after only spending a few months in her program. The valuable lessons she has learned both inside and outside of the classroom have encouraged her to keep exploring new opportunities at Quinnipiac.

Joining a variety of clubs has opened doors for her and helped her engage more with the community. Siege is making the most of her experience by participating in Paw Pals, Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Crafting at QU, Best Buddies and QU Snow, all clubs that relate to her various passions in some way. She notes that Quinnipiac feels like home due to the guidance from her professors, clubmates, peers and everyone around her.

“The community is great,” she said. “I feel like everyone is super supportive, super upbeat and happy here. It’s easy to get involved.”

Julia Ortiz ’29, MSW ‘31, a first-year in the 3+2 accelerated dual-degree social work program from New Jersey and a member of Quinnipiac’s Tri Delta sorority chapter, also had a positive perspective on her Quinnipiac experience so far. 

With a passion for criminal justice and plans to attend law school, she said that the first step prospective students should take is looking at the programs thoroughly.

The accelerated tracks at Quinnipiac offer unique paths to career success, and after researching academics, Ortiz visited the university’s campuses for the first time.

“When you walk on a college campus you get that feeling of belonging — or not,” she said. “For me, that feeling I got at Quinnipiac was that I belong here, and I kept coming back.”

Like Siege, her extensive campus involvement has majorly impacted her experience at the school. Going into her first year, Ortiz knew she wanted to be a part of fraternity and sorority life, and ended up becoming a sister of the Tri Delta sorority.

“Recruitment was something that I wanted to do,” she said. “I love it so much. It’s just been so fun making friends and participating in events.”

The combination of the beautiful, inviting campuses, good community and the strong academic pathways solidified Ortiz’s love for Quinnipiac and helped her make her final college decision.

An international student from the Dominican Republic, Omar Minaya ’29, MBA ‘30, is having a great experience as a Division I athlete and 3+1 accelerated dual-degree finance student. He is particularly proud of how he tackled a packed routine while managing the distance from his home country.

Adjusting to life in a new country can be difficult, but Minaya credits his teammates, coaches, professors and peers for help with a smooth transition. Being so far from home gives him a unique college experience, but his positive mindset and busy schedule keep him present and engaged in the community.

“I’m kind of getting used to it. Sometimes I get homesick, but you know, once you’re doing your thing, you don’t really get homesick, so it’s good,” he said.

He also notes that playing on the Division I baseball team has been “a great experience” while explaining that it’s “really hard,” and that taking it one day at a time has been the most useful advice he’s taken into account.

His passion for baseball and interest in finance are greatly supported by the Quinnipiac faculty and staff, with Minaya stating that everyone in his circle is ready to help him get the most out of his experience.

“My coaches and professors always look forward to me learning and me taking care of who I am,” he said. “They’re always wanting me to get better at everything I do.”

Minaya also expressed his love for the university’s location and setting, saying, “It’s a really nice area; I like Hamden. I like where the campus is. The campus stood out to me. The people as well, the coaches, everyone’s nice.”

His fast track to success with the accelerated finance program, the natural beauty of Connecticut and the athletic opportunities that were offered brought him to Quinnipiac, where he is now significantly involved and happy to stay.

Andrew Kopek ‘30 is a mechanical engineering major who hopes to some day work in the design aspect of the field.

The School of Computing & Engineering’s track record of success, along with internship opportunities, drew him in. He said that the biggest factor in his decision was the opportunities that occur post-graduation.

“I am a mechanical engineering major, and in the previous two graduating classes there has been a reported 100% job placement the year following graduation,” he said. “The networking that Quinnipiac does with professionals and businesses in the area is one of the main reasons that drove me.”

Kopek notes that the encouragement from his peers and professors has helped him with his studies immensely, specifically discussing how all of his professors have been “very supportive and very understanding if there’s a problem or anything” and remarking that they are “exactly what you would want from professors at a university.”

Coming from Connecticut, the proximity to home was a large factor for him, and the way the community comes together to provide support has been one of his favorite college experiences.

“I came from a small town where everyone knew everyone, and I’m having a great time reliving that experience, making a new community, and just getting to know people,” he said.

The relationships Kopek has built have made his first semester successful, and the experiential learning he hopes to find at Quinnipiac will likely continue to drive him toward success.

Isabella Minicus ’29, MBA ’30, is an undecided business major in the 3+1 MBA program from New York who has found that despite not having a concrete path, she feels incredibly on track and as though she’s progressing toward finding her passion with the help of the community, much like Kopek.

Minicus was originally drawn in by the charm of Quinnipiac’s campuses. She frequently mentioned how “it’s very beautiful” and that she loves watching the leaves change colors through the seasons on her frequent hikes up Sleeping Giant State Park, the picturesque backdrop of the Mount Carmel Campus.

Since arriving, Minicus has discovered that her favorite part of being at Quinnipiac is creating a network.

She frequently socializes with friends in her free time, which has helped her not notice the distance from her Long Island home and build a strong community. She said that “meeting all the different people, friends and just being able to hang out with them every day” has been the most impactful and fun part of college so far.

She has also grown professionally, noting that two of her professors specifically have helped her along her journey.

Being undecided, Minicus is working daily to find her path, exploring the wide variety of business classes Quinnipiac offers.  

“One of my professors, Kyle Trusch, is very helpful, and my first-year seminar professor has also been supportive throughout the process of finding my major or progressing in that area,” she said.

The Quinnipiac faculty and her peers have aided Minicus greatly in her short time, whether it be her academic adviser, academic coach, professors or even peer catalysts. Minicus said that she’s making the most of her college experience with the help she’s been provided, and looks forward to the future.  

These current first-year Quinnipiac students each offered advice to prospective students either applying or receiving their admission status:

• “Just apply. Take the tour, it’s beautiful here. You’re not going to regret it once you’re here, so just take the chance.” – Hailey Siege ’30, MOT ‘31

• “Look at the programs, go to the academic exploration days, go on a tour, go to an open house; definitely do your best to come to a campus event so you can learn more and experience campus yourself.” – Julia Ortiz ’29, MSW ‘31

• “When visiting, be yourself. I think you'll find your people; don't try to be somebody else that you don't want to be, or try and fit in by muting yourself. You'll fit in naturally. But I think once you’re here, balance your classes, get ready to balance your time, and definitely be yourself.” – Omar Minaya ’29, MBA ‘30

• “If you're at the point where you're considering Quinnipiac, I would definitely say go for it. I believe there's a place on this campus for everyone and that there are people around you to help you find that place, and it would be a positive experience if you so choose to pursue it.” – Andrew Kopek ‘30

• “Be very open-minded and don't be afraid, because everyone is feeling the same things that you are.” – Isabella Minicus ’29, MBA ‘30