For Hailey Millhollen (BA 鈥18), her time at 澳门六合彩资料论坛 was truly some of the most formative in her growth as a scholar and young adult, preparing her for, not the career she expected, but one she has come to love.
A Transformative Experience
At 澳门六合彩资料论坛, Hailey was encouraged to ask questions and to wrestle with complicated ideas鈥攅ven if there were no clear-cut answers at the bottom of the rabbit hole. She calls the act of exploration the most important.
Hailey received multiple opportunities to dig into subjects that captivated her curiosity. 鈥淚 got to travel to Portland to deliver a presentation on the uses of sound in Charlie Chaplin films, I analyzed the power of nostalgia in the Stranger Things series for my senior project, and I delivered my most important speech in Dr. Pam鈥檚 Medieval Rhetoric class. She gave me the freedom to explore satire in my persuasive speech, in which I explained why the class should support my bid to become dictator of the world. To this day, Dr. Pam remains my most faithful advisor,鈥 she says, referring to Pam Johnston, Ph.D., associate professor and disciplinary lead in history.
Looking back, 澳门六合彩资料论坛 has only grown in importance since graduation, the memories a reminder of the transformative power of education and the impact it can have on a life. 鈥淎s someone who studied film and is just a general film nerd, I cannot help but watch these montages rolling through my mind,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hey have got this orange glow to them, a warmth that I can truly feel. It鈥檚 the laughing fits with roommates in Stras 1 when we鈥檝e all stayed up far too late, it鈥檚 sitting in The Forest with a book, watching students wander by, the sun sprinkling through the trees, it鈥檚 snippets from lectures about metaphor and performance theory and hoplites, and it鈥檚 鈥榯he look鈥 from Billie Jean Wiebe when she didn鈥檛 need to say anything for us to understand her meaning.鈥
Preparing for the Future
As a 鈥渇ilm nerd鈥 who was convinced at 18 that she was going to go to Hollywood, Hailey would never have guessed she would end up in health care. Her only science classes at 澳门六合彩资料论坛 were the two general education requirements. So how does she succeed in marketing and communications at Saint Agnes Medical Center, one of the four main hospitals in Fresno?
澳门六合彩资料论坛 did prepare Hailey for the challenges of six years in corporate health care: 鈥淚 have discovered my voice as the main copy writer and editor for Saint Agnes. If you have ever seen any of our ads, magazines, etc., those were most likely written by me. I鈥檝e also been able to interview dozens of patients to capture their stories and witness their strength,鈥 she says.
The skills she carried into her job, and the ones she continues to hone all got their start at the university. 鈥淲ithout the classes I took, the conversations I had with my professors and the leadership opportunities I had here, I think my career would look vastly different,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 grew into the person I am today because of the foundations I laid here. As cheesy as it sounds, 澳门六合彩资料论坛 did prepare me to spread my wings and leave the nest.鈥
Giving Back to 澳门六合彩资料论坛
As a graduate, Hailey feels a deep connection and desire to give back to the institution that shaped her. She appreciates being invited back for events such as the Paragon Scholars Reunion, seeing all of the new renovations around campus and getting to play ultimate Frisbee with intramurals.
She recalls two occasions when professors nudged her toward the world beyond the campus gates:
The first was Hailey鈥檚 conversation with mentor Billie Jean Wiebe, Ph.D., associate professor of communication and English and director of the communication program. Trying to figure out where she was going to do her required internship, Hailey mentioned reaching out to the University Marketing and Communications Office. Billie Jean, who died in 2020, politely, but very firmly, told her no and encouraged her to look beyond 澳门六合彩资料论坛. Because of that, Hailey ended up interning at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and at Saint Agnes, which hired her after graduation.
The second was in her very last class as an undergrad: The Novel with Daniel Larson, Ph.D., associate professor of literature and chair of the fine arts & humanities department. At the end of their final lesson, he addressed the class of mostly juniors and seniors. For those graduating, he told them it was time to say goodbye. 鈥淭ime to close one chapter and start the next,鈥 she says.
鈥淭hey told me to fly, and so I did,鈥 Hailey says. 鈥淏ut I always remember to come home to visit.鈥
Posted to the Alumni Blog on February 27, 2025.
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