Journeys: To College and Beyond
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Journeys: To College and Beyond is your go-to podcast for authentic, unfiltered stories about college life, powered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This series brings you real conversations with students, alumni, and campus community members who share their journeys, challenges, and insights. Whether you’re a prospective student, current student, or a proud parent, you’ll find relatable stories, helpful tips, and a glimpse into the vibrant University community. New episodes drop every other week—tune in and explore the many paths that lead through college and beyond.
Episodes
Crossing State Lines with Alex
It's an exciting challenge to begin your college journey, especially when it involves moving across the country. In this episode, we're exploring the out-of-state student experience with a first semester freshman and Texas native, Alex, as he shares funny first impressions of college life, advice on where to get the best dining hall experience, the convenience of the Champaign Airport, and more.Chapters:0:00-2:49 Introductions2:49-4:03 Texas Roots4:03-6:21 First Impressions6:21-10:26 Midwest Expectations10:26-11:49 College as a Concept11:49-12:50 Reflections on the Application12:50-15:42 Finding Friends as a Freshman15:42-17:50 Student Housing and Dining17:50-19:52 Getting Around Campus Without a Car19:52-22:32 Visiting Home as an Out-of-State Student22:32-23:44 Choosing Illinois23:44-26:06 Visiting Campus26:06-28:29 Advice for Applicants28:29-29:09 Thanks for Listening!
Impact at Scale with Chancellor Isbell
In the Season 3 premiere of Journeys, Maddie sits down with the chancellor himself, Charles Lee Isbell Jr.! Together, they unpack what makes Illinois an excellent university, life lessons from the chancellor’s journey, the best way to enjoy Star Wars, and much more.Chapters: 00:00-1:07Welcome to Journeys 1:07-2:45Introducing, Chancellor Isbell!2:45- 4:04 One year in4:04 - 5:29 CU's magnetic energy5:29 - 7:37 What makes Illinois special7:37- 10:20 Supporting in-state students10:20-11:36 Impact at scale11:36-15:27 Chancellor's college journey15:27-19:45 Life lessons19:45 - 25:28 Defining success25:28 - 28:23 Value in a degree28:23-38:41 This-or-that38:41-41:35 MACHETE ORDER!41:35 Farewell for now!
Finding Your Fit with Sara
In the final episode of season two, Maddie sits down with the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Sara Mackenzie. Sara shares advice with newly admitted students, unpacks the meaning of "good fit" and tells the story of how one accidental college visit changed her entire journey. Chapters: 0:00--4:39 - Introduction4:39-7:12 - The Anxiety of Starting Your College Journey 7:12-9:33 - What Makes Illinois Different?9:33-13:31 - How to Make a Balanced Decision 13:31-15:50 - Defining "Good Fit" 15:50-18:05 - Your College Decision is Not the End of the World 18:05-21:20 - Sara Loves a Campus Visit 21:20-25:53 - Sara's Journey to College via the Mall of America 25:53-27:11 - Final Thoughts and Trusting the Process
Admitted First-Year FAQs with Kristin
When admissions decisions are finally released, it's time to celebrate! But what comes next? Assistant Director of First Year Admissions Kristin Van Duyne tackles frequently asked questions to help Admitted First-Year students cross the admissions finish line as they prepare to become the next generation of Illini.
CS + X and Combination Majors with Kush
Sometimes our dreams are bigger than a single major can hold. At Illinois, students can mix, match, and combine areas of study to create a path that truly fits their passions. This month, we’re exploring the popular combination major CS + X with Kush, a sophomore studying Computer Science + Linguistics and Brain and Cognitive Science.
Redefining the Journey: Military Connected Support with Rob
Sergeant Robert Chromniak of the Illinois Army National Guard and Senior in Urban Planning at Illinois opens up about what it means to be military connected, the transition from service to school, and the support he's found in the Chez Veterans Center to reach his full potential on campus and beyond.
Post-Grad Pathways with Taylor
Taylor Howard, M.S., has learned a lot since completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Illinois just a few short years ago. In this episode, Taylor speaks on how she chose Illinois, navigating the daunting shift from college to the real world, and calls out the tension many young adults find between "the boxes" they are expected to check off and the reality of finding your own definition of success.
Small Town Start with Sophia
Sophia shares her experience transitioning from her small hometown in Southern Illinois to life on a big university campus. She talks about her passion for sustainability, her favorite ACES classes, and how Illinois helps you find your niche no matter where you’re from.
Visit Vibes with Michelle
Michelle Wu, Assistant Director of Campus Visits at Illinois, shares why visiting campus is such a powerful part of the college search, what she loves most about helping future students explore Illinois, and her own journey to college and beyond.
Holistic Living (and Applying) with Lisa
Applying to college can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. With over 30 years of experience, Lisa Micele, Director of College Counseling at University Laboratory High School, shares how using your resources, living holistically, and easing the pressure can make the journey more manageable—and even meaningful.
Student Jobs and Senior Send-Off with Kenny
Believe it or not, a big part of the college journey happens outside of the classroom. We talked with University of Illinois senior Kenny about his experience with student employment-working everything from after school jobs in food service to summer internships in Chicago-and his advice to high schoolers as he reflects on college and prepares for graduation.
Housing Hacks with CyAnne
We're talking all things residence hall this week with University Housing Marketing Intern CyAnne! From early-move-in programs and packing tips to making friends and open door policies, she shares her stories and advice on how to get the most out of your campus living experience. Illinois HousingFollow Illinois Housing on Instagram
Talking Transfer with Anjiya
Choosing a school is tough decision, but what if you change your mind? We're talking all about the transfer student experience in this week's episode with stories and advice from University of Illinois Junior and transfer student Anjiya.
Out-of-State Insights with Adam
In this episode, Adam shares what it was like to move from New York to Champaign-Urbana and how he found a sense of belonging as an out-of-state student. He also talks about how his childhood love of LEGO and Minecraft led him to pursue architecture, his favorite ways to explore life off campus, and more!
Unpacking Illinois Commitment with Bethany
Bethany, Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Illinois, breaks down the Illinois Commitment program and what it means for students and their families. She shares her knowledge of the FAFSA, stories from her college days, and advice on navigating life after graduation. Learn more about Illinois Commitment at https://osfa.illinois.edu/illinois-commitment/
Building Community with Courtney
From a shy freshman to a campus leader, Courtney shares how she found and created community in college. Now in her senior year, Courtney serves as President of Women of Color, is a founder and Secretary of Latinx in Law, serves on committees with BNAACC, NAACP, and more!
Introducing Journeys: To College and Beyond
Your journey starts here! Join your host Maddie for a series filled with relatable stories, practical tips, and candid conversations with college students, staff, and alumni. Powered by Illinois.