Meet GJ

Name: Gjilane Morris

Class of: 2023

Program: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration w/ a minor in Baking

"I'm truly grateful for the generosity of scholarship donors who are willing to continually invest in creating better access to higher education."


What do you like most about SNHU?

I love that SNHU consistently hosts a variety of events, which are often sponsored and run by student clubs. It gives me and others on campus the chance to meet new people, discover new opportunities and simply be a part of the community no matter what your interests are.

How do the scholarships and financial aid you receive make it possible for you to attend SNHU? Specifically, how have scholarships made a difference?

Scholarships have greatly assisted me in paying my tuition, which in turn has helped me focus on paying off medical bills that I struggled to keep up with during the height of the pandemic. Thus, receiving scholarships has given me the chance to set myself up for a better financial situation for both my remaining year at SNHU and after graduation.

What would you say to those who donate to support student scholarships?

I would, of course, like to say thank you! I'm truly grateful for the generosity of scholarship donors who are willing to continually invest in creating better access to higher education. I would also tell donors that their contributions truly make a difference for students like me. With the help of scholarships, we can confidently dedicate our time and energy to learning without worrying about the financial implications. This sets students up for not only a more enjoyable college experience, but a better future after we graduate.

Why did you choose Southern New Hampshire University?

I chose SNHU for its close-knit community, locality, and because my parents are both SNHU alumni who had positive experiences with the university.

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 learn everything I could while also forming close friendships and simply enjoying my time on campus. My experience was different than what I imagined because I quickly realized how much self-discipline is needed to succeed in college. I believe that I've learned to be much more independent because of this.

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

I chose to study business administration because I felt it was the best option if I wanted to pursue a career with a non-profit organization. I aim to work for either a local or nationally-recognized non-profit, as giving back to my community is what I'm most passionate about.

Who at SNHU (professor, coach, advisor, etc.) has been the biggest influence on your college experience? What lessons did that person teach you?

My work-study supervisor, Allison Pudvah, has undoubtedly had the biggest positive impact on my journey. She has taken on the role of a mentor over the years, helping to guide me on days that I struggled and is always remaining available in case I need help. She also encouraged me to push myself out of my comfort zone at work, which has resulted in me greatly expanding my professional skill set.

In what ways have you been involved at SNHU (campus organizations, job, sports, etc.)?

I've been working for SNHU's Office of Institutional Advancement since my freshman year. Through this job I've been directly involved with some of SNHU's biggest flagship events — including Homecoming and Global Days of Service. Additionally, I've participated in multiple clubs and affinity groups including Generation Equality, Multicultural Student Union: Sisters Of The Yams (SOTY), Unity, and the Gaming club.

What do you find most challenging? How do you deal with this?

Maintaining a high GPA can be challenging with a full class schedule. I've learned to navigate this by scheduling time each week for homework, studying, and self-care to keep me both healthy and on-track.

What are you proudest of?

I'm proud of both my personal and professional growth. I've worked hard during my time at SNHU and feel that the moments I struggled the hardest ended up being the most impactful learning experiences for me. I can confidently look back on the last three years and think, "I accomplished something great!".

In what ways do you want/hope to stay involved as an SNHU graduate?

I want to stay involved after graduation by continuing to participate in Homecoming and Global Days of Service, as well as keeping in contact with my coworkers and peers from SNHU. If the opportunity arises, I would also like to contribute to student scholarships one day!

Read more in GJ's "Life of an SNHU Student" blog.

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