One of my favorite things about Cornerstone University is that I get to be a part of so many things that I am passionate about. I am a junior studying strategic communication and minoring in Spanish and ministry. I have been involved in a lot of student organizations, academic opportunities, extracurricular events and was empowered to create my own organization. Every day tends to be pretty packed for me, but I wouldn’t trade it for an easier schedule because I’m doing what I love.
9 – 11 A.M. | INTERNSHIP
This year, I’m working at my church as the Communications Intern. I run the college cafe on Wednesday nights, manage social media, create promotional materials, etc. Cornerstone requires all students to have an internship before they graduate, which I’m really thankful for. Having an internship has given me relevant experience doing something that matters to me—connecting with people and working in my church.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, a lot of students, including me, are typically attending chapel during this time. (Other opportunities are also available on Sundays during Evensong, which is our student-led worship chapel.) Every full-time undergraduate student is required to attend twenty-five chapels per semester. I love having time set aside to go worship, listen to a message and be with friends. One really cool thing about our chapels is that the worship is led by students and we have student speakers once or twice a week.
11 A.M. – 1:15 P.M. | CLASSES
On Mondays, I have two classes back to back. Both of them are classes I enjoy: Christian Beliefs and History (which is a required course for all CU students) and Communication Theory. As I get further along in my time at Cornerstone, I enjoy my classes more and more. As an upperclassman, I am taking more classes specific to my major and minors. It has been awesome to discover more about myself and my passions through my classes, professors and experiences.
2:45 – 3:45 P.M. | FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE LEADERSHIP MEETING
For the past couple of years, I have served as a first-year experience leader. I lead a group of freshmen through orientation week (Terra Firma) and throughout the school year in CU Foundations class. I have loved getting to serve in this role for several reasons.
First and most importantly, I love the relationships that the first-year experience program cultivates. Someone once told me that Terra Firma groups are like your family for the year. You don’t get to choose your family, but you end up spending a lot of time with them and, usually, can’t help but get close. Now, as a leader, I am passionate about pouring into and loving on the freshman. After all, I was in the same spot two years ago!
Second, it’s just fun! During orientation week, we participate in traditions like Saturday Night Lights, Concert on the Lawn and Welcome Back Chapel. I remember the first week of my freshman year being such a blast because there was so much going on and so many new people to meet.
Lastly, being a leader is a great experience that enhances leadership skills. I have learned a lot by being in charge of group discussion, attendance and participation, and facilitation of the group. I have also enjoyed having mentoring relationships with some of my students.
6:30 – 7:30 P.M. | ENACTUS MEETING
Enactus is a student organization focused on entrepreneurial action, creating sustainable solutions for problems and developing leaders. Typically known as a “business club,” Enactus members actually come from various fields of study. Being a strategic communications major, I have found the experiences Enactus provides to be very applicable.
Enactus consists of several different projects. I am the project leader for EsperanzArt, which is a ministry based in Quito, Ecuador. EsperanzArt is a part of Casa Adalia, a home for women who have been sexually abused. The goal is to support residents through trade skills training (making jewelry) so they can earn an income. Our project helps them do this. My co-leader, a team of other students and I are responsible for managing social media, website content and design, product shipping and inventory. Essentially, we run a large portion of their business stateside.
Being the project leader for this has given me so much experience in skills like partner relations, marketing, shipping and inventory, and team management. I even got to go with my co-leader to Quito, Ecuador, at the end of this summer to meet the women who work in EsperanzArt as well as to work on tasks for the project.
7:30 – 11:30 P.M. | MET BY LOVE
Met By Love is a weekly worship night that three of my friends and I started last year. Every Monday night we move all of the chairs and tables out of the biggest classroom at CU and anywhere from 100 to 200 people show up simply to worship. We saw a need on our campus for a place where people felt free to worship as they wanted to, not for credit or for any other reason than to glorify the King. It has been so cool to be a part of and to watch our campus be changed because of it.
At 7:30 p.m., we meet with the team of people who are serving for the week. Vision is cast for the night, we pray over what we want to see God do and then we dive into some worship. This time prepares our hearts to be in a posture of worship.
We have seen the Holy Spirit move in crazy ways through Met By Love; salvation, healing, baptisms, rededication. Every week is different and it’s so cool to see God show up every single week.
So, a typical day is pretty busy, but I love it. Some things can be tough, but for the most part, I get to do a bunch of things that I’m really passionate about all while living with my best friends.
Whatever your passions are, Cornerstone is a place that encourages and brings out the best in all of us through activities, opportunities and a vibrant community.
Check out some of our student organizations!
