When Communication major Ethan Frankel ‘22 started in Hillyer College, he was planning on a teaching career and took several education courses and completed fieldwork for those classes at the Farmington Valley Transition Academy. But the opportunity to explore various subjects beyond his major resulted in Ethan changing his major to communication. “Taking different courses allowed me to get a peek at multiple fields of study that the University has to offer,” he says.
Ethan says his first-two years in Hillyer helped improve his writing, study, communication, and public speaking skills, and ensured a smooth transition into the College of Arts and Sciences. It also helped him develop strong time management skills. "Starting college was difficult enough," he says, "but I was able to develop methods to better manage my time through Hillyer’s classes and the Summer Bridge program." Summer Bridge is a free program for first-year Hillyer students that helps them get acclimated to campus and academic life.
Beyond the classroom, Ethan is the community relations coordinator of Crested Communications, a student-run communications agency in UHart’s School of Communication that produces work for real clients. Ethan recently worked with classmates to build a social media campaign book to aid CVS Health’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. He is also the treasurer of Lambda Pi Eta/Communication Honors Society, where he has helped raise funds for vital issues such as the Ukraine crisis.
Upon graduation, Ethan will start a new position as assistant director of special events at Breezemont Day Camp in Armonk, New York, where he previously served as a camp counselor. He credits Hillyer’s Introduction to Communication and Effective Speech courses, and its smaller class sizes, with helping him to become a better communicator that will assist him in his new role.
“My favorite thing about UHart are the amazing professors who have helped me achieve my goals,” he says. “I also really love the vibrant and exciting life throughout the campus.”
Ethan Frankel '22, CommunicationTaking different courses allowed me to get a peek at multiple fields of study that the University has to offer.