Junior Tia Cobb will volunteer at a naturalist institution, where she will gain valuable hands-on experience essential to her future in animal care and education. Grant funding will allow her to fully participate in this opportunity by helping offset the living expenses associated with unpaid experiential learning. 

Double-majoring in biology and English with a minor in theatre, Tia plans to pursue a master’s degree in zoology or animal behavior after graduation. She is exploring three potential career paths: conducting animal research, educating others about animals, or providing direct animal care.

“This experience promises to be a summer full of wild encounters and meaningful growth,” Tia says.

Mateo Daza Martinez, a freshman from Bolivia, will travel to New York City to immerse himself in the professional acting world. He aims to connect with industry professionals, build relationships, and seek mentorship and guidance from those actively working in theatre and film. This experience will serve as both a source of inspiration and a critical step toward pursuing his dream of becoming a professional actor. 

“By engaging with artists who have navigated this path, I hope to gain insights, encouragement, and the motivation to continue developing my craft and sustaining my passion,” Mateo says.

Mateo is a business major minoring in theatre who recently performed in Union’s production of “County Fair: A Country Hits Musical.”

Visual artist Rayna Duzant will take a four-day trip to New York City, where she will refine her skills in photography, filmmaking, and graphic design. She will explore iconic locations, attend the Photoville Festival, and engage with innovative art exhibits, all while capturing the city’s unique energy. This trip will be pivotal in both her personal and professional growth, allowing her to build her portfolio and gain valuable insights into the art world.

A Union junior and member of the women’s basketball team, she is pursuing a career in filmmaking, photography, and graphic design, blending her passion for art with her athletic experiences. Rayna strives to create compelling narratives through visual storytelling, drawing inspiration from her diverse interests. 

“My ultimate goal is to build a brand that merges my creative and athletic pursuits, using my craft to inspire others,” Rayna says.

Abigail Erby will complete an internship with a licensed physical therapist, allowing her to gain direct, hands-on experience in the field. By working alongside a practicing professional, she hopes to discover how she can use her skills and passion to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others through rehabilitation and patient care. This experience will be a crucial step in preparing for graduate school and a career in physical therapy.

“This opportunity will deepen my understanding of physical therapy as a vocation and help me clarify my future goals,” Abigail says.

Originally from Newport, Tennessee, Abigail is a senior majoring in exercise science. During her time at Union, she has worked as a tutor, served as a student ambassador, and has been active with the science club as both treasurer and student liaison. Following graduation, she intends to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy program and become a licensed physical therapist.

Tyce Hall will travel to the United Kingdom to explore how his academic interests align with real-world opportunities. Engaging with diverse business environments and observing leadership, innovation, and consumer engagement firsthand will allow him to reflect on the kind of impact he wants to make through his career. 

“By stepping into a global context, I hope to clarify how I can use my skills and passions to serve others and find purpose in the business world,” Tyce says.

A junior double-majoring in business management and marketing, Tyce plays on the football team, serves as a peer mentor and student ambassador, and is involved with the theatre program and Residence Life. 

Garomme Hanna will conduct a photography project in Las Vegas, Nevada, to develop his skills in landscape, portrait, and street photography. This project will allow him to explore and capture the diverse essence of Las Vegas, from its stunning natural landscapes like Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park to its iconic nightlife and vibrant street scenes on The Strip. By immersing himself in these dynamic environments, he aims to build a diverse portfolio, experimenting with different lighting, angles, and compositions to tell compelling visual stories while receiving mentorship to integrate marketing and business principles into his photography journey.

“I have always been captivated by the vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty around me, which inspires my work,” Garomme says. 

Originally from Nassau, Bahamas, Garomme is an aspiring professional photographer who aims to merge his creative and business pursuits. He is studying marketing, management, and accounting at Union, is a member of both the baseball and track teams, and volunteers to take pictures for numerous sports teams at the university in his free time. After graduation, he plans to pursue his master's degree in business administration at Union.

Sophomore Shanyah Peters will volunteer as a physical therapist assistant at a hospital in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an island country in the Caribbean. The project will focus on helping patients recover from surgeries, injuries, and chronic conditions while collaborating with local healthcare professionals to build long-term capacity. While providing much needed rehabilitation services to the community, Shanyah will gain greater insight into the practice of physical therapy. This opportunity will also deepen her understanding of global healthcare systems and contribute to her growth as a physical therapist and global citizen.

“It is my desire to help these patients recover from their injuries and improve their overall well-being,” Shanya says.

Shanyah is double-majoring in business management and exercise science. She says her love for sports led to her passion to become a physical therapist.

Oskar Szalaty will travel to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to explore business, entrepreneurship, and cultural diversity in two of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economic centers. This experience will allow him to engage in purposeful vocational exploration by shadowing professionals, visiting innovation hubs, and attending ITEX 25, a leading international business and trade convention. 

“These opportunities will help me reflect on the kind of business leader I aspire to become and how I can use my skills to make a meaningful impact in a global context,” Oskar says. “This journey will be a key step in discerning my calling and shaping my future in international business.”

Oskar is from Germany, studies business management at Union, plays on the soccer team, and enjoys photography, videography, and exploring different cultures. Passionate about business and driven to excel, he is particularly interested in international business and socially impactful enterprises. 

Junior Erin Sylvester will shadow a pharmacist in Grenada in order to deepen her understanding of the profession while fostering skills that align with her academic and career goals. She is an aspiring pharmacist passionate about making a meaningful impact in the healthcare field. This project will give her hands-on experience with pharmaceutical practice, patient interactions, medication management, and healthcare collaboration.

 “I am committed to bridging the gap between science and community well-being,” Erin says.

Erin is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and looks forward to better understanding the correlation between chemistry and pharmacy through the shadowing program. In her free time, she enjoys Bible discussions, extracurricular activities like soccer, and working out. 

Senior Kameron Wheeler will explore his vocational calling in the legal profession and discern how he can use his knowledge and experience to serve others. Through hands-on legal experience, he hopes to gain clarity about his path forward and strengthen his commitment to a life of purpose and justice. This project will not only help Kameron prepare for law school but also empower him to make meaningful contributions to his community. 

“Ultimately, I aspire to use my education to advocate for those in need and to help build a more equitable society,” Kameron says.

Kameron is a first-generation college student from Newport, Tennessee majoring in history and political science with a minor in criminal justice. He currently serves as treasurer for the student ambassadors program, works in the information technology department through the work-study program, and collaborates with various student organizations to support and strengthen the Barbourville community. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Juris Doctor degree with the goal of becoming a lawyer.

Cormac says, “While accounting is my primary vocational focus, I strongly believe that engaging with the arts and understanding history provides essential skills such as critical thinking, cultural awareness, and analytical reasoning, which can enhance any career, including my own. Museums offer an invaluable way to connect with the past, understand social dynamics, and appreciate how art reflects and shapes our world.” Cormac is from the United Arab Emirates and is majoring in accounting at Union.

[PHOTO (From left to right): Paul, Cormac, and Jacob in NYC]

Paul is a junior from Germany majoring in business management who paints and collages in his free time. For him, the trip was a way to explore these two parts of himself – the aspiring business professional and the inner artist. He visited Wall Street to get a glimpse into the world of trading and also visited MoMA to fulfill his dream of seeing Max Beckmann’s paintings there. 

“One of the reasons why I decided to study in the United States of America was to be able to go to New York City one day and experience the art of a man that had such a unique style of capturing history on a personal level,” Paul says of Beckmann, who lived in Germany during the world wars. “My interest in art and my hobby of painting will always be a part of me,” Paul says.

“Art is one of the most impactful ways to understand the different times and the cultural beliefs you can find in that time,” Jacob says. He is a junior from New Zealand majoring in sports management. 

Learning about the “sights that are a sign of freedom for every foreign student,” as Paul puts it, was especially important to the three friends. 

“The Statue of Liberty is one of the most defining symbols of American culture and the idea of freedom,” Jacob says. “People from all over the world would do anything to experience this.”