Meet Shelby

Name: Shelby Hedlund

Class of: 2024

Program: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology w/ a minor in Psychology

"Your support of student scholarships means more than you could know ... this is a second chance at an education that I never thought I could receive and it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of donors."

What do you like most about SNHU?

I love that Southern New Hampshire University is more than what you learn in the classroom. I love all the opportunities that are offered to us to use what we learn and help other people. I also love the community at SNHU.

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

The scholarships allow me to fully afford tuition as a full-time student, and to do so with less stress as I don't have to worry about money as much. Having less stress about money also allows me to fully focus on my academics.

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

Your support of student scholarships means more than you could know. As an older student, this is a second chance at an education that I never thought I could receive and it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of donors.

Why did you choose Southern New Hampshire University?

I chose Southern New Hampshire University because of how affordable it was and how many of my transfer credits they were able to accept. 

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 has changed over the years. When I first entered college, it was because I felt like I was supposed to and I wanted to make my parents proud. I still absolutely want to make my parents proud, but now my biggest hope is that I become well educated as well as becoming the best person that I can be. I want to be empathetic, compassionate and culturally aware, so that I can be in the best possible position to help others — I really feel that SNHU is helping me become that person. My experience in college this time around has been better than I could have ever imagined. SNHU has given me opportunities that I never dreamed of and I'm so incredibly grateful for them.

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

I chose to study sociology after working in the mental health field as a peer support specialist and a program director for a local non-profit mental health center. I knew that I wanted a major that would help me learn more about social justice and while I like learning about psychology, it felt like sociology was the better fit for me. I have many dream jobs as I have a lot of things I'd like to do, I just haven't decided where I'd like to go first. I know one job I'd love to have is working as a crisis counselor or social worker, possibly in an emergency room or hospital setting, or maybe in a partial-hospitalization program. I know what it's like to struggle with mental health challenges, so I want to be there for people in their worst moments to be able to offer them compassion, empathy and maybe a little hope that things can get better. 

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

My sociology professor, Rob MacAuslan, has been the biggest influence during my time at SNHU. I've taken several classes with him, and have asked him many, many questions and he always takes the time to answer and help me when I'm struggling in class. The biggest lessons I've learned have come not from textbooks, but from the conversations we've had in his classes and during office hours. I've learned how to be more open minded and culturally aware. I've learned how to not only be more empathetic but how to put empathy into practice, and most importantly I've learned not to let my past experiences or struggles limit what I can do now.

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

I'm a Major Ambassador for the sociology department, and I love it. I get to help plan events and reach out to new students in the major to help them feel cared about and supported. I love getting the chance to connect with other students in the major outside of classes.

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

What I find most challenging as a student is managing my classes and my mental health. I manage several mental health conditions that have historically made college extremely difficult. However, since being at SNHU, I've found so much support through my professors, my advisor and the Campus Accessibility Center. This support has been extremely helpful and has aided in my success while at SNHU.

What are you proudest of?

I'm most proud of making it to senior year, keeping my GPA up and even making it into an honor society. I can't express how grateful I'm to SNHU for all I've been able to experience. Being a student at SNHU is my greatest accomplishment so far and I can't wait to graduate from here.

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

I want to find a way that I can mentor other students after I graduate. I love SNHU and strongly believe in what they're doing and want to stay involved in any way that I can as an alum.

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