Nichols College students and staff share with the Bison Chronicles team what they love most about Nichols! Happy Valentines Day from our team to you!

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

BY JOYCE SALLES ’19

Hi! My name is Joyce Salles, a junior marketing major and hospitality minor. I wear many hats on campus, including serving as the Student Government Association’s (SGA) Class of 2019 president, residence life community manager, Professional Development Seminar teacher’s assistant, and a member of the Honors Program, Emerging Leaders Program, Zeta Alpha Phi Honors Society, and the Management Club. The latest and greatest addition to my “hat collection”: becoming an intern for the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Freshman-year Joyce would be shocked to see this much in an intro paragraph! The fact is, my involvement at Nichols has transformed me into a better leader, student, citizen, and professional.

Before Nichols, I would never step up to lead a group, yet today I represent my entire class in SGA. I was shy and afraid of public speaking, but last year I delivered my elevator speech in front of the whole school. Previously, I minded my own business and focused on academics. Now, however, I help teach a first-year course while maintaining Dean’s List.

With that said, you’re probably wondering: “Joyce, when do you have time to actually go to class, watch the latest Netflix show—or  even brush your teeth?”

The simple answer to these questions: time management and priorities.

Discovering how to balance my passions, academics, and social life was a hard but necessary battle. I keep busy by doing the things I love, including setting aside “me time.” Luckily, I have been able to maintain good academic standing, binge watch “The Office,” and regularly brush my teeth (a must, especially since my mom is a dentist).

The newest opportunity added to my iPhone calendar is my marketing internship. I knew I wanted to pursue marketing since sophomore year in high school. I love the creativity it allows me to express and share, the consumer interaction and psychology in advertising, and the innovation behind huge marketing firms. So, you can only imagine the excitement I have for starting this new position!

From writing blog posts to creating videos, I will be exposed to different avenues of the marketing world. It’s one thing to read about it in textbooks versus getting to experience the action first hand.

My goal is to be like a sponge, absorbing all the marketing knowledge I can and to hopefully take a step closer to becoming the businesswoman who lands an amazing marketing job upon graduation!

Joyce Salles is a junior marketing major and hospitality minor. She is also an intern in the Nichols Office of Marketing and Communications. 

BY KATE-LYNN SCHRAFFA ’18

If you’re having trouble getting off campus, look no further!

While most Nichols College students have the option to bring a car to campus, there are cases when some cannot. With this being said, the Office for Student Involvement makes sure all students have access to off-campus outings. On top of this, our Social Programming Board hosts many off-campus trips that are worth taking advantage of. It’s definitely worth looking into—just think about all the gas money you could save!

CAMPUS SHUTTLES

The Office of Student Involvement offers student-driven shuttle busses that travel to various area locations. These shuttles operate on set days and times and are available to be rented by student groups and classes. The shuttles are on call Sunday through Thursday, from 5 to 9 p.m., and pick up students in front of Daniels Auditorium. The shuttle is also used when the Office of Student Involvement hosts special events. Shuttles travel near and far to help students who do not have transportation on campus.

Here are some of the places the shuttle can take you:

• If you’re running out of snacks or need some extra dorm room necessities, the shuttle makes regular trips to local grocery stores and Walmart.
• When you’re looking to catch a new movie, the shuttle travels to the Blackstone Valley Cinema de Lux theater in Millbury.
• For students who have a long way home over breaks, the shuttle will assist by bringing you to Worcester’s Union Station.
• Shuttles will coordinate special trips over the weekends such as to the Wrentham Outlets, Patriot Place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Providence Place Mall, Boston, and more!

SOCIAL PROGRAMMING BOARD

The Nichols Social Programming Board (SPB) hosts a variety of fun off-campus events that students look forward to each year. Be sure to check your email and campus bulletin boards for exciting happenings. If you’re looking to join SPB, they meet weekly on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. in Fels 323. New members are welcome to join and suggest fun ideas for campus events.

Check out some of the fun places SPB brings students:

• When you’re feeling extra festive during the holidays, SPB plans trips for students to spend an October day in Salem, Mass., and a December day in New York City.
• If you want some thrill in your life, SPB has brought students to Six Flags and Sky Zone.
• For the “wicked” sports fans, SPB has coordinated trips to see the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins.
• SPB also plans movie nights at the Blackstone Valley movie theater.

UBER/LYFT

Paid rideshare vehicles can be ordered by students to travel essentially anywhere. The apps are free to download and after you set up your profile you have the flexibility to travel where you need. Make sure you order your rides ahead of time to be sure you get to your desired destination on time.

For future off-campus events, check your emails for the weekly Bison Beat and take a look at campus bulletin boards. Take part in clubs like SPB, or drop by the Office of Student Involvement. The Nichols community is always planning fun events that provide students with the opportunity to enjoy themselves off campus.

Kate-Lynn Schraffa is a senior marketing major at Nichols College and an intern in the Nichols Office of Marketing and Communication.