Compared to my colleagues in the field after graduation, it was apparent that I’d had a lot more hands-on experience. That made my entrance and advancement in my chosen field very easy. I noticed that many of the "first-year" graduate courses I had to take as part of my graduate program were courses I had already taken at AU. I would not trade majoring in chemistry at AU for any amount of money in the world. I loved every single minute of it. I enjoyed being in and leading the chemistry club, working for the chemistry department in the stock room and helping out in the freshman-level chemistry labs when I was a senior. The absolute best part of all, though, was the faculty and staff. My professors have been there for every moment of my life from the time I met them. Each one has made a significant impact in my life—while I was at Ashland, during my graduate degree and thesis defense preparation, in my current career and whenever I run into them in my daily life, even today. These professors have been my job references, my life coaches and my "I need to vent and no one else understands science around me" people. If I had to give advice to a prospective science major, it would be to choose a program where you get along with the faculty and staff; it makes it all the more fun and creates a lifelong connection you will never forget.

I attended AU as a non-traditional student majoring in integrated sciences, grades 7-12. As a non-traditional student, I was not sure what to expect. My experiences were wonderful and pretty similar to those of a traditional student. Professors were always willing to go beyond just teaching courses; they were willing to go the extra mile to make sure students had a true understanding of the material taught. Students are treated more like peers. They provided us with lab experiences that were both educational and interesting! My time at Ashland prepared me for my time spent as a science teacher by allowing me to have tons of hands-on experience and a firm understanding of the science world. The best time of my time spent at Ashland was being part of the family created inside Kettering. I made lots of great memories at Ashland, both in terms of educational experiences and the friends I made.

The best part of the sciences at AU was the ability to work so closely with the professors and my peers. The opportunities to help with research projects, use real scientific instruments and the hands-on lab experiences shaped my learning at AU in a meaningful way. My time at AU prepared me for the future by providing the opportunity to gain a variety of real-world experiences that supported what I learned in the classroom. The science professors were extremely supportive and encouraging, helping me discover my interests and passions in the science fields during my time at AU and beyond.