Two recent St. Ambrose University theatre alumni, Kayla Lansing '18 and Kelci Eaton '18, are putting their acquired skills from the "Ambrose Advantage" to use in graduate school.
Lansing is pursuing drama therapy at Kansas State University and Eaton remains at St. Ambrose working towards her Master of Speech-Language Pathology degree. Both women expressed how much their time as theatre undergrads at SAU has helped them take this next step.
A skill that is incredibly important in any profession and grad school is time management. Eaton and Lansing both said they honed this skill to a level that puts them above most other students. Their experiences at SAU, particularly in the theatre, have helped them juggle many commitments since they keep extremely busy.
On top of keeping up with her own classes, Lansing teaches public speaking classes to undergrads, runs a creative arts after-school club for autistic middle schoolers, and helps an organization called Barrier-Free Theatre. Eaton also carries a large workload between school and her jobs. She said Ambrose taught her "how to use EVERY minute of (her) day and put them to good use."
The connections created at Ambrose are something Eaton and Lansing mention over and over again.
"The family that you build at St. Ambrose is by far the greatest resource given to students: knowing your professors by name, feeling connected to them and knowing that they will support you," Lansing said.
Both women are grateful for the relationships they've built with their peers and professors. Dr. Corinne Johnson, for example, is a professor they both received letters of recommendation from and continue to correspond with while in grad school.
"I wouldn't be the person I am today without my Ambrose theatre family," Eaton said.
"I feel like my colleagues at Kansas State are getting tired of how much I talk about how amazing St. Ambrose was, but I will shout it until I'm blue in the face because an amazing college education can open doors to things you never thought were possible. Ambrose has absolutely done that for me."
Kayla Lansing '18
Keeping close connections after graduation is something Eaton and Lansing have found to be unique among their peers, especially compared to those who previously attended larger state schools.
The advantage they have gained from it is one they clearly notice and will not take for granted.
All the skills and connections these two women received from Ambrose came down to one key agreement: Ambrose fully prepared them for grad school. From time management to connections to a number of cherished memories, Eaton and Lansing bring their Ambrose experience with them wherever they go.
"I feel like my colleagues at Kansas State are getting tired of how much I talk about how amazing St. Ambrose was," Lansing said, "but I will shout it until I'm blue in the face because an amazing college education can open doors to things you never thought were possible. Ambrose has absolutely done that for me."
Eaton and Lansing prove the "Ambrose Advantage" can take you far through their continued great accomplishments in grad school.
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