Amanda Skarosi

Graduate Admission Counselor

Hometown: Downers Grove, IL

College and major: University of Iowa:Communication Studies

How long I've been at the University: April 2011

You should choose the Graduate Programs at BenU because: Students choose to attend graduate school for various reasons. The faculty and staff are committed to helping our students achieve their professional and personal goals. Graduate students are paired with a faculty advisor who will act as their mentor assisting with curriculum planning, course selection and overall guidance. Our graduate classes are small, providing the ideal environment for students and professors to cultivate new relationships and expand their current professional network.

I like working at Benedictine University because: The people who work at BU are very hospitable and I love the energy our students bring to campus. Benedictine is a great place to work!

My favorite place on campus is: Getting Starbuck's at the Coal Ben or working-out at the Rice Center. The Rice Center is very convenient and free for current students, faculty & staff.

What advice do you have for busy adults looking to return to school? An advanced degree is a great way to enhance your current career or to expand your skill set within another area. Benedictine's graduate programs are designed for the working adult. Our graduate programs offer students the options and flexibility they need to fit classes into their already packed schedules.

What advice do you have for recent graduates to continue their studies? At a recent college graduation ceremony I attended, the keynote speaker told the new graduates "by the time most of them are 38 years old they will have had 10-16 jobs". With that prediction, it seems obtaining an advanced degree- building or adding to your skill set will take on a new importance.

Jessica Rapp

Graduate Admission Counselor

Hometown: Gridley, IL

College and major: Lincoln College, Lincoln IL – Associate of Arts Degree, Bradley University- Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication

How long I've been at the University: I started at Benedictine University in November of 2011.

You should choose the Graduate Programs at BenU because: Benedictine University offers many diverse opportunities to further your education in your field of study.We provide small classes where you will get personal attention, and find that professors are easily accessible and interested to help you succeed. The professors are also often active professionals in their fields of study that will help you gain hands on experience into the work world. You will build great relationships with your professors, staff, and fellow classmates that you will carry with you into the workforce!ctive professionals in the fields on which they lecture

I like working at Benedictine University because: Everyone is so friendly! I was new to the Lisle area, and to the university but as soon as I walked in I felt immediately comfortable and welcomed to the Benedictine community.The university not only wants to help you grow professionally but also wants employees to enjoy where they work!

My favorite place on campus is: Coal Ben and Rice Center! The Coal Ben offers a fun environment for the students to hang out at or just go in and relax. It offers a coffee shop, good food during lunch and dinner, and has TV's where students can watch all sporting events! Also, the new Rice Center is a state of the art facility where students/faculty can go work out throughout the day/evening and such a great addition to the University!

What advice do you have for busy adults looking to return to school? Benedictine University offers many options for you to help cater to your work schedule and will be very flexible to hopefully make your educational experience the best it can be!

What advice do you have for recent graduates to continue their studies? Do it now! Once you take a break, it is hard to go back.Looking back after I graduated with my bachelor's degree I wish I would have kept going to peruse my Master's.Now after a few years in the workforce I am looking to peruse a graduate degree at Benedictine University!

Jenny Erickson Douthit

Graduate Admission Counselor

Hometown: Lockport, IL

College and major: Benedictine University, Political Science and English Language Literature

How long I've been at the University: June 2009

You should choose the Graduate Programs at BenU because: The graduate programs at Benedictine are offered in formats and locations that meet the needs of today's busy graduate students; this flexibility meets the needs of today's busy graduate students. In addition to offering flexible programs, Benedictine University is committed to academic excellence; Forbes magazine named Benedictine among the top 20 percent of America's colleges for the second consecutive year in 2012.

I like working at Benedictine University because: The faculty, staff, and students care deeply about Benedictine, and are friendly and welcoming to people from all different backgrounds.

My favorite place on campus is: In the warmer months, sitting outside the Coal Ben for lunch. In the colder months I like to enjoy a great cup of coffee either at the Coal Ben or Kindlon Hall, which has a great new Library!

What advice do you have for busy adults looking to return to school? Returning to school can result in a mixture of both excitement and anxiety for students. I would recommend taking time to meet with an admissions representative to discuss anything that concerns you; financial aid, balancing graduate school with work, time commitment required, and learning more about the resources Benedictine has to help students make the decision to return to school.

What advice do you have for recent graduates to continue their studies? I encourage students to take the time to meet with representatives from the different schools they are considering attending. Sometimes recent graduates, already familiar with higher education, want to quickly move forward with the process. With multiple starts throughout the year Benedictine is certainly a great option with many recent graduates, and sitting down with an admissions counselor can help you determine the next steps to applying for graduate school.