Chelsea Burke '25 admits that when she set to transfer from Montgomery County Community College to Alvernia University after earning an associate degree, she was putting all of her eggs into one basket, so to speak. But that’s because it was the perfect fit.
“I didn’t want to be too far from home," she said. "I wanted to commute and for my decision to be practical in addition to fitting my educational goals."
Things have worked out great in that regard.
“I’ve met really nice, cool people," she said. "I’ve developed great student/professor relationships. The professors here really get to know you and how you work because of the small class sizes.”
Being a commuter from nearby Boyertown, getting involved on campus was essential for Burke, and she jumped into things fairly quickly. From go, she met a couple of friends at orientation, and together, they joined the Friends of Animals Club. Later, she joined more of Alvernia's many student organizations: the Social Work Association, Peer Mentors and OWLS.
In being a Peer Mentor, Burke is able to help other new-to-Alvernia students as they adjust to college life, to teach Alvernia’s core values, and to just be an ear if they need to discuss any struggles. As an Orientation Weekend Leader (OWL) she assists on move-in days, during days of service performing tasks like local park clean-ups, and is just there, again, to lend a hand.