Student testimonials

Sociology and Ethnic Studies

Jesse Brookins
Chula Vista, California

“My time at NAU was a valuable experience. I learned what I wanted to do with my life and I encountered mentors that helped me down the path of finding my major. I also met people I could possibly build businesses with and began creating a future for myself”

“My greatest accomplishments were being able to partake in a study abroad program in South Africa, and being able to present my research at a social change conference.

“In five years, I hope to be using my degree to build a business in the market for sustainable building. My idea of building homes from recycled plastics recently won first place in the Coconino County 2018 Sustainable Building Innovations Expo and I hope to make my idea a reality with funding in the near future.”

Public Relations and Advertising

Emily Alimusa
Chandler, Arizona

“I chose NAU for the small class sizes and the distance from home. I have made the most incredible friends and had professors who have turned into my mentors.”

“My greatest accomplishment in the past four years has been finding my passion in creative media and taking a semester abroad in the Netherlands to learn more about the world around me.”

“In five years, I hope to be using my degree to make a difference through social marketing at a non-profit.”

Political Science

Alexander Granillo
Tucson, Arizona

“I always say college is what you make of it and I’ve made it exactly my own. NAU has provided all the resources for me to be able to take advantage of the opportunities that have been presented to me during my time here.”

“My greatest accomplishment in the past four years has been serving in my ROTC program, which taught me a lot about myself, about leadership, and what it means to be a good person.”

“In five years, I hope to be in either law school or working as an Intelligence Officer, serving wherever the Army needs me.”

Social Work

Alyson Carrizales
Phoenix, Arizona

“My experience at NAU has been great and I am sad that it is coming to an end. I chose NAU because of the small size which made it much easier to adjust coming from a small high school. I really enjoy the weather in Flagstaff as well.”

“Two of my greatest accomplishments during my time at NAU have been getting an internship at the hospital and being a student worker in the SBS Academic Advising Office. Both of my positions have allowed me to grow and expand my communication skills which will help me become a better social worker.”

“In five years, I hope to have completed my Master’s Degree in Social Work and be working in the field, helping others.”

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences’ Park Ranger Training Program is one of only a few nationally accredited programs that provide the training required to work as a seasonal park ranger in law enforcement in the National Park Service. Students learn first-hand, from experienced instructors, law enforcement work within the park system and go through outdoor training courses. In February, students went through a training on what to do during a vehicle accident involving an animal (pictured). “This is my dream career, and I like that we get hands-on experience in everything that we do.” SBS student, Stephanie Lowe, stated during the training.

Bill Carter is an Assistant Professor of Practice in Creative Media and Film in the School of Communications and he teaches several classes including Documentary Production, Screenwriting and Filmmaking techniques. He was also the director of the documentary film Miss Sarajevo, which won multiple awards such as the Golden Hugo Award. Bill literally is an assistant professor of practice due to the experience and success he gained as a writer, filmmaker and environmental activist around the world over the last decades. We recently interviewed his class CMF 336 – Documentary Production, pictured above, to find out what his students think about his class. These students stated unanimously that the best thing about this class was Bill Carter himself. He took the time to work individually with each student to develop the documentaries. Some comments from students included: “He is the best teacher I’ve had at NAU”, “He got the best out of me”, “I wish he would teach all my classes” and “He is a very hands-on teacher”.