Yadi Padilla

What led to your decision to transfer? 

I grew up in the local community, and I would always pass this campus whenever I would go home from work, and something always pulled me towards it. I even witnessed the Schellhase Commons being built. After showing up for an Open House, I fell in love with the Theater program and the financial support this school offered, which is definitely something I didn’t quite get in my previous college.

How do you find that Ursinus College supports students of high academic achievement?

Ursinus provides internships and work study options so that students with high academic achievement can get hands-on experience in their field of study. The Institute for Student Success is also incredible at helping students who are currently struggling with their academics. The Wellness Center is also a helpful resource to help students who are feeling overwhelmed or need mental health support.

Outside of the classroom, what are some activities or opportunities that you pursued at Ursinus?

I personally had a chance to pursue theater performances outside of campus since the theatre program was given free tickets to the Quintessence theater in Germantown. This opportunity allowed me to experience first-hand the world of acting and theater design, which are my current dream jobs.

Please share about any opportunities for hands-on experiences or internships. 

I had the chance to be part of stagecraft class, which allowed me to get hands on experience with scenery, props design and lighting design. I also had a chance to design props for the first time in the Agatha Christie Double Bill: Afternoon at the Seaside and The Patient. This allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and build props from scratch rather than only doing lighting design, something I was already familiar with.

What were the challenges of adapting to a new college environment, and how have you met them?

It was a challenge to adapt to all the different projects given by design classes like Theater 100 and Lighting Design. These projects required a lot of work outside of classes, which was difficult as a commuter. Thankfully, I was able to work through it by asking my professors help and scheduling meetings to better understand the assignment. All my professors were very flexible with my schedule and always found time available to help me.

What has surprised you most about your experience as a student at Ursinus?

What surprised me the most about my experience here at Ursinus was the strong sense of community and how incredibly patient the professors are with every day conflicts students might have.

Why would you encourage another student to transfer to Ursinus?

Ursinus is truly a supportive place. Whether it’s academics, finances, or your well-being, there’s a holistic approach and commitment to supporting every student’s success.