Empower SNHU Students

Meet Marissa Leger, Class of 2020

Marissa is currently a junior at Southern New Hampshire University. As a Justice Studies major and a member of the field hockey team, she also participates in the Signature Leadership Program and the Justice Studies Association, and works as a student supervisor for the athletic department. She is paying her way through college, and is grateful for the scholarships she receives, made possible by the generosity of alumni and donors. Below, learn more about Marissa's SNHU experience, as she answers a few questions about her education and life on campus.

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Why did you choose Southern New Hampshire University?

I chose SNHU because it felt like home. When I visited for field hockey, I immediately fell in love with the campus - it was gorgeous, people were so nice, the professors knew their students, and the field hockey team was truly a family. I felt so at home right away and I knew that when I left that I was going to be returning here as a student. I am so happy that I ended up choosing SNHU.

What was your hope in receiving a college education? How has your experience been different than what you’d imagined?

My hope in receiving a college education was to discover my passion, what I want to do for the rest of my life after I graduate and hopefully through my courses I would find that out. I knew my major was going to be Justice Studies but SNHU has opened my eyes to countless opportunities. SNHU’s great advisors and professors have helped me to have an internship at the state law enforcement level last summer and now I am hoping to get a federal law enforcement internship for next semester, which the Career Development Center helped me with. In addition, I didn’t expect to be so involved and so invested in my college education, but I truly enjoy my classes, my professors and I expand my knowledge each and every day.

What inspired you to choose your area of study? What is your dream job?

What inspired me to choose Justice Studies was my brother. He is a border patrol agent out in Arizona and I wanted to follow in his footsteps, and when I began my justice classes here at SNHU, I knew I picked the right degree for myself because I loved the classes, and I loved learning about law enforcement. My dream job after I leave SNHU is to work federally in law enforcement, maybe for Customs and Border Protection, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I truly want to keep my options open but I know that I have the passion and the drive to become a federal agent and that is my dream job.

How has the SNHU community impacted your experience?

The SNHU community has positively impacted my experience here because I feel like I truly matter, I am not just another number. I am a student who has real and raw experiences and the faculty, administration and other students here really care about one another which is so special. In addition, I have had the honor to be a part of Signature Leadership Program which has propelled me forward in developing as a person, and developing professionally, as I have a mentor who is a federal agent who is helping me to grow my network and make connections so that when I graduate, I can start my federal career right away. Also, I am a member of the SNHU field hockey team which has been amazing, I get to play the sport I love every day with a group of girls who are extremely motivated and committed and I am lucky to be a part of this growing program that is only five years old, and we get to make history every time we step on the field.

In what ways have you been involved at SNHU?

I have a job for Penmen Athletics and it has been a great way to fill my free time, meet new people, and take on a leadership role and be involved in campus. In addition, I am a part of the Justice Studies Association and a second-year member of Signature Leadership Program. Perhaps, the way I am most involved is through my field hockey team, we spend a lot of time together, and we are a close-knit unit and I am extremely grateful for every member of my Penmen family.

What are you proudest of?

I am proudest of the fact that I am able to play field hockey at the collegiate level. Everyone that supported me in high school, thought that I would play in college but that I would play Division 3, and there is nothing wrong with that but I wanted to prove those people wrong and prove to them that if I wanted to play at the Division 2 level I would work my butt off and make it happen for myself. I wasn’t on a club team in high school, so I basically got myself recruited, made my own highlight video and went through the entire recruiting process on my own and I am proud that I have the privilege and honor to be a Division 2 athlete here at Southern New Hampshire University. I am proudest of the fact that when people told me that I probably couldn’t play at this level, I proved them wrong and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have here at SNHU to be a part of a collegiate program.

What are your plans following graduation?

Following graduation, I plan to work in law enforcement, hopefully federally. I plan to do that and get my adrenaline fix for about 20-25 years and I want to retire, get my real estate license and coach field hockey. It has always been a dream of mine to coach, but I realize that doesn’t pay the bills, so I will begin my career in a more practical fashion and then come back to it. I hope to stay connected to SNHU and help students if I can. I also hope that I can mentor students, provide internship opportunities or just be a networking contact for students studying criminal justice and hoping to have a career in law enforcement. I want to be a reference, and a number of students can call, and I want to remain involved and come back to campus for alumni events. Of course, I will be attending many field hockey games as well.

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