Meet Ben Harris '16

SNHU Student Profile, Ben Harris ’16 from SNHU On Campus on Vimeo.

 

Name: Benjamin Harris

Class Of: 2016

Major: Accounting and Pre-Law

Why did you choose SNHU?

When choosing a school, did I choose a school for the beautiful campus, the highly skilled faculty, or the amazing internship opportunities? No, my only goal when applying to college was to attend a university for as cheap as possible; all of the other stuff simple came as a bonus! After applying to nine schools, SNHU turned out the most affordable school, surpassing state universities. Coming to a private institution with practically no out-of-pocket expense was a no brainer to me.

What was your hope in receiving a college education?

My hope in receiving a college education was to obtain a valuable degree that I would take pride in earning; however, being able to go to school for as cheap as possible. I was amazed that I was actually going to be earning a quality education for the cost that I was paying to attend SNHU. I am someone who is very involved on campus and looks at networking opportunities as an intricate part of the college experience. This combined with the a quality education that employers will be honored to hire, I was excited to start my career as an SNHU student.

How did the scholarships and financial aid you receive make SNHU possible?

Without the scholarships, I would be commuting to a state university. The fact that I am able to live on-campus at a private university simply shows how much scholarships and financial aid has made an impact on my college financial planning; and I only have scholarship supporters to thank for this. Knowing that I would not be able to receive the same quality of education learning in large university classrooms, I am thankful for this opportunity to attend a small university that can help me excel. Going to school with minimal payments each semester makes me appreciate my scholarship supporters more and more.

What/who has positively contributed to your SNHU experience?

Southern New Hampshire University is a community in itself. The people of the SNHU community are highly dedicated to creating successful lives to those around us. Professors see a Nobel prize recipient inside each student; the faculty sees a world leader inside each of us; and our peers see each other as the brothers and sisters that we never had the pleasure to have. Each of us has the opportunity to achieve great things, and the SNHU community has a bond stronger than anything in the world.

How do you feel about SNHU?

If you wanted a 200-page novel on what I liked about SNHU, I could probably give it to you 4 days. No one will ever understand the love that I have for SNHU. Around each corner is a new friend, a new opportunity, and a life changing experience that some students do not take full advantage of. Maybe it is because of the financial support that I receive from the school, but I have an obligation to make my school proud, and give back to the school that has already given so much to me. I want to become as involved as possible on-campus. “Involved for Life” an expression that I think about each morning when I wake up. What I learn in the classroom and around campus is what will define me as a person for the rest of my life. SNHU offers so many opportunities for students to become the leaders of tomorrow, and I plan on taking full advantage of each one of them. Founded on the basis to provide an affordable education to an intellectual and diverse group of students, I am honored to be attending a university that is being recognized by its innovated approaches on education. Penmen Pride will live through me forever, and it is feeling like this that makes my SNHU experience life changing.

How has SNHU impacted your life?

Only being a freshman, SNHU has already impacted my life. The SNHU community is a linked-in profile itself and the networking connections that I have already made are unreal. I have developed an even stronger sense of community and actually feel a sense of pride in something that I have never had before. The love for my school, and the support from generous donors pushes me to be the best that I can be: in the classroom and leading my peers.

What are your plans for after you finish school?

When I graduate from SNHU. I plan to go onto Law School. I have no doubt that the education that I receive from SNHU will prepare me to compete with prestigious university graduates. After law school, I plan to work in a large company in new york working on the legal side of business and accounting.

How is SNHU helping you reach your goals?

SNHU is helping me by offering diverse programs that gear towards student interests. My programs are challenging me to think critically and effectively, and my professors are testing my limits with ever problem that I am assigned. The entire university is pushing me not only to receive the best of grades, but also to prove my skills in the real world by offering an immense amount of internship opportunities.

How will you stay involved as an alumnus?

Working in Telefund, I have been able to see first hand how important alumni involvement is to a university. Not only do I want to stay involved as an alumnus to provide internship and professional development opportunities, but also I want to be able to support student scholarships like my alumni have supported me. My education would not be possible without the support of scholarships and financial aid. They say every dollar makes a different, and I am truly able to say that this is no lie. With every generous donor, comes less hardship on my family and I to pay the tuition bill. Also, the alumni at this university are helping me to do big things now so that I will grow up to make the world a better place for people to live in. I know that I have high goals in life and want make sure that every student of SNHU is able to reach their goals and more.

What does Giving Back, Moving Forward mean to you?

Giving Back, Moving Forward is the opportunities that are scholarship supporters are giving to our students in order to help our students succeed. By having alumni take pride in their alma mater, to help current students succeed as much as they have, is what helps students move forward in life to form a foundation for the rest of their lives.

What would you say to those who give financially to support student scholarships?

I cannot express my sincere gratitude to those who financially support student scholarships. Without their support, I would not be able to have the experiences and opportunities that I have already been able to have. Every dollar that is given to student scholarships is another opportunities for students to make a difference in the world. It seems as though the words “thank you” do not show the immense amount of gratitude that students have to scholarship dollars.

What would you say to your fellow students about how to make the most of their time at SNHU?

To me, students are not taking advantage of the opportunities that are given to them. Scholarship supporters are giving students opportunities to become extremely successful with the opportunities that are provided and it is a waste for students not to take advantage of them. College is not a time for students to waste time, but rather form a foundation for the rest of their lives. With this being said, students should use their scholarship dollars wisely to succeed rather than using their time unwisely.

Favorite course/professor?

Course: Public Speaking

Professor: Andrew Lynch

What do you like to do in your free time?

Attend club meetings, hang out with my friends, play tennis, walk my dog, hang out with my family.

Favorite place to do your schoolwork?

At my desk- I am very organized.

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