First Year Experience at Philadelphia University

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2011 START LEADERS

START Leaders play an integral role in the success of the Philadelphia University START & New Student Orientation program and are recognized leaders throughout the Philadelphia University community. They serve as group leaders, liaisons between various departments, registration assistants, peer educators, and positive role models.

START Leaders are actively involved in assisting all new students with their transition to Philadelphia University, whether it be from high school, the work force, the military, or another institution of higher education. If you see a START Leader from the same hometown, with the same major, or with a common interest, feel free to drop them a note!

Daniel Arroyo
Class of 2013
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Yonkers, NY
Tip: Allow yourself to be open to new experiences.
PhilaU Fact: Philadelphia University offers a Ram Van, which transports students around campus.
Campus Involvement: Resident Assistant, Law and Society Club, Assistant Editor of “The Voice”

Jeff Bingeman
Class of 2013
Major: Architecture
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Tip: Be confident in yourself, your character, and your will.
PhilaU Fact: All buildings on campus have WIFI and you can print to any campus printer.
Campus Involvement: Resident Assistant & Intramural Sports.

Ryan Brown
Class of 2012
Major: Architecture
Hometown: Cranford, NJ
Tip: List your goals for the semester including all aspects of college life.
PhilaU Fact: No nuns were killed or buried under the soccer field.
Campus Involvement: Alpha Chi Rho & Ultimate Frisbee.

Marisa Cooper

Class of 2013
Major: Pre-Medical Studies
Hometown: Gloucester, NJ
Tip: Strive for good grades, but make time for you!
PhilaU Fact: The small student to faculty ratio makes it so that students can develop close relationships to their professors and other faculty.
Campus Involvement: Resident Assistant, Relay For Life/Colleges Against Cancer Committee, Asclepius Society, CHOICES Facilitator, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Science in Action, PhilaU Singers & Intramural Sports.

Dan Dinsmore

Class of 2013

Major: Graphic Design

Hometown: Cherry Hill, NJ

Tip: Keep an open mind to professors, new friends, new concepts, etc.
PhilaU Fact: There are a lot more stairs in Kanbar then you might think.
Campus Involvement: Battle of the Bands, Kanbar Building Manager & Study Abroad.

Eric Guerrero
Class of 2012
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Lawrence, MA
Tip: Make your way into the city and take in all it has to offer.
PhilaU Fact: The common express is the best and fastest way to get good food in Kanbar.
Campus Involvement: Volunteer at gym & Tennis player.

Taylor Harman
Class of 2012
Major: Pre-Med
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Tip: Keep a positive attitude!
PhilaU Fact: Even if you’re not hungry, you can use your meal plan to get bottled beverages from Ted’s to save for midnight thirst.
Campus Involvement: Residence Life, Asian Cultural Association, Gay Straight Alliance, Safe Zone & Unity Week/Cultural Events.

Regina M. James II

Class of 2013

Major: Fashion Design

Hometown: Ambler, PA

Tip: Expect that you will not get things perfect the first time.
PhilaU Fact: There are pretty much always giving you opportunities to develop leadership skills.
Campus Involvement: Fashion Insdustries Association, Tutor at Learning and Advising, Ram Royale Step Team, Resident Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Black Student Union, Black Retail Action Group (BRAG) & Alpha Lambda Delta (Honor Society).

Luis Ledesma
Class of 2014
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Tip: Go to every game for support.
PhilaU Fact: Mail-room rules!
Campus Involvement: Tunnel of Oppression, Mail-Room & Resident Assistant.

Kathleen Logan
Class of 2012
Major: Fashion Industry Management
Hometown: Sellerville, PA
Tip: Always clean the lint out of the dryer screen!
PhilaU Fact: We offer coed housing in campus apartments.
Campus Involvement: Resident Assistant & Tour Guide.

Vincent Murphy
Class of 2012
Major: Architectural Studies/Construction Management
Hometown: Nicholson, PA
Tip: Don’t forget about your health!
PhilaU Fact: There are tons of great paths through the woods surrounding our campus! It’s a great opportunity to take a break and go for a hike.
Campus Involvement: Men’s Lacrosse Club, Resident Assistant & Relay for Life.

Julie Niblock
Class of 2012
Major: International Business
Hometown: Sykesville, MD
Tip: Go to class! Even if you feel like you don't have to - it catches up to you!
PhilaU Fact: There is a common theory that our campus is home to more squirrels than boys. It has not yet been proven.
Campus Involvement: Varsity Volleyball Team, Delta Sigma Pi professional Business Fraternity & Habitat for Humanity.

Molly Pak
Class of 2014
Major: Physcian Assistant
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA
Tip: The “college experience” cannot be fully taken advantage of unless you are willing to take risks. No risk, no reward.
PhilaU Fact: When the school has “Open House” days for prospective students, make sure you wake up early on Saturday and go eat at Ravenhill. You won’t regret it!
Campus Involvement: Sophomore Class President, SGA, Interfaith Council & Physcian's Assistant Society

Alicia Pinckney

Class of 2013

Major: Fashion Design

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Tip: Don’t be fearful of what you may expect, fill things out for yourself.

PhilaU Fact: The grounds of philau are perfect locations for photoshoots!

Campus Involvement: Black Retail Action Group (BRAG), Fashion Industries Association (FIA), PhilaU Dance Company (Hip Hop), Ram Royale Step Team & Black Student Union (BSU).

Shannon Rasmussen

Class of 2014
Major: Physician Assistant
Hometown: Cranford, NJ
Tip: Be yourself-integrity is key!

PhilaU Fact: Wissahickon Park is great for hiking and hanging out and it’s just off campus!

Campus Involvement: Alpha Lamda Delta, Diskfunctional Ultimate Frisbee Team, PA Society & PhilaU Tango.

Katie Renner

Class of 2012

Major: Architecture

Hometown: Frederick, MD

Tip: Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself-no one knows each other.

PhilaU Fact: Each professor has their own talent, ideas, and experiences to share so listen up and experience each one individually.

Campus Involvement: Varsity Softball, LEAD Participant & Kanbar Campus Center Building Manager.

Eimon Shirazi
Class of 2013
Major: Business Management
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Tip: Don’t be afraid to try anything!
PhilaU Fact: Common Thread Express
Campus Involvement: Commuter Leader, Association for Commuting Students & UNITY Week.

Jennifer Stypinski
Class of 2012
Major: Pre-Med
Hometown: Delanco, NJ
Tip: Go to all activities. They are a great way to make friends.
PhilaU Fact: The foundation of the baseball field is the original Phillies field.
Campus Involvement: Colleges Against Cancer President, Relay for Life Fundraising Chair, ODK, Asclepius Society, International Student Peer Mentor, RAMbassador & Chemistry Teaching Assistant.

Katherine Voight
Class of 2014
Major: Fashion Design
Hometown: Millersville, MD
Tip: It is extremely important to check your e-mails! Reading e-mails will inform you do the latest information that your professors, clubs, and organization, and even the school have to share.
PhilaU Fact: The old mascot was the Weavers.
Campus Involvement: Fashion Industry Association & Lacrosse Team.

Allison Wright
Class of 2012
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Tips: Stay on top of your work.
PhilaU Fact: Ravenhill was an all girls school and Fortess was an academic building!
Campus Involvement: Resident Assistant, Tunnel of Oppression Planning Team & Vagina Monologues