Almost 400 prospective students and their families gathered in Miami’s Shriver Center on Saturday, Sept. 23 for the annual Discover the Sciences event, part of the university-wide Fall Open House. 

Discover the Sciences is held by the College of Arts and Science (CAS) for prospective students who are considering Miami as a place to focus their studies on a wide range of science and math programs. Representatives from multiple CAS departments were present, ranging from Anthropology and Biology to Statistics, Physics, Geology, and Environmental Earth Science. 

The event kicked off with a welcome by Jennifer Blue, professor of Physics and CAS associate dean. Blue stressed the hallmarks of success on Miami’s campus and the importance of “large-school resources” while still maintaining a “small-school attitude.” 

Carolyn Craig, CAS director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, visiting faculty member, and certified diversity professional, talked about how CAS provides a high-achieving and rich academic environment for students from all backgrounds. 

“We are very dedicated and committed to ensuring that we are creating an inclusive learning and work environment for our faculty, staff, and students,” said Craig. “I spend a lot of my time focusing on student success for our underrepresented students.”

Insights from Life at Miami panelists

The presentation then transitioned to a panel discussion entitled “Life at Miami,” moderated by Charlie Chen, assistant director in the Center for Career Exploration and Success. Three faculty members and five students answered audience questions and provided more interpersonal detail about CAS, particularly their academic experiences and undergraduate research. 

Charlie Chen, assistant director in the Center for
Career Exploration and Success, takes an audience
question for the panel.

Lake Ernst, a senior Biology major and Premedical Studies co-major, discussed how he started his research during his sophomore year and how easy it was to become involved.

“I just happened to ask my professor a question, and she said that I should interview for her research lab,” he said. “I think it just shows the mentorship at this school and the genuine investment that the professors have in their students.” 

Panelists shared about when to start engaging in research at Miami, as well as time management skills, internship and co-op opportunities, and how students leave feeling very prepared for a future career. 

“Just focusing on the undergraduate courses I’ve done, I feel really prepared because I’ve had opportunities to do a lot of internships,” said Eckhardt Karsten, a senior majoring in Microbiology and co-majoring in Environmental Science. “I’ve worked in the national labs and I feel like, in undergrad, you build up a lot of those soft skills and critical thinking skills.” 

Other students on the panel included Psychology major and Neuroscience co-major Cambria Beane, Anthropology and Classical Studies major Scott Day, and Engineering Physics and Computer Science major Hannah McDougall.

Exploring CAS science facilities and student research 

After the “Life at Miami” panel, guests split up based on their interests and desired majors to take CAS building tours at various locations on campus, including Pearson Hall, home to Miami’s biological science programs. They visited various labs and classrooms and engaged with CAS students who presented research posters on Public Health, Neuroscience, Microbiology, and more. 

“Miami is a very popular college at my high school, so I thought I may as well look at it,” said prospective student Lily Rich. “I want to do something healthcare-related, maybe pre-med.” 

Liam McLean, another guest, considers Miami as his top-choice university. He said that his brother attended Miami and loved it and that he wants to pursue a career in physical therapy, which would lead him to “maybe a major in the health sciences.”

As part of the Fall Open House, multiple similar events were held simultaneously throughout campus. For example, nearby in Armstrong Student Center, CAS students from the social sciences, covering majors such as Psychology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Sociology, and Anthropology, shared their insights. Research presentations ranged from eye-tracking studies of adults with aphasia to research on how crime from an outside town spills onto college campuses. 

Faculty and students representing many CAS humanities departments, including world languages, History, English, and Media, Journalism and Film, were also on hand to demonstrate the great variety of resources and career paths that Miami students are offered.

Thumbs up from event guests

Lindsey Holden, director of strategic recruitment in Miami’s Office of Admissions, considered Fall Open House an incredibly positive experience for all involved. 

“The families that I interacted with were incredibly positive about their experience on campus,” Holden said. “Families couldn't believe how many Miami folks they got to interact with during the day.” 

“Our Chem/Biochem building tour was TERRIFIC,” wrote one of the guests anonymously. “Three highly engaging guides, students of research at several labs to provide ‘feet on the ground’ insight.”

“My daughter and I thought the tour of the Geology and Environmental Earth Science department was awesome,” wrote another. “The information about how they teach, how graduate students teach, and all the opportunities available to the students is so pertinent to choosing a college.”

“Life is too short, do what you love,” Biology major Lake Ernst said during the student panel. “You're going to find it here. No matter what it is that you love to do, really give your heart to it and really give it your all, because in the end, it will pay huge dividends.” 

Julia Holzl, a CAS student communications associate, also contributed to this article.