Home Away from Home
Amaurie Carroll had no doubts about coming to Midland University after high school. Her mom, however, needed a little convincing because of the distance away from her hometown.
Now halfway through her sophomore year, Amaurie, and her mother, have no regrets about her decision to leave the bright lights of Las Vegas and make a home at Midland. “My mom was against me coming at first because I didn’t know anybody here. But everyone here was so nice and welcoming, and it didn’t take me long to make friends. Now, my mom loves me being here!”
Growing up in North Las Vegas, Amaurie envisioned herself ending up at a big school, where she planned to be part of the cheerleading team. “I started cheerleading when I was four years old and my plan was always to be at the University of Oregon and be part of the cheer team.”
But she found another passion along the way, one that would eventually help shape her college decision. “I started playing flag football my sophomore year of high school and when I was a senior, flag football became a sport in college. I went to a combine my senior year, and that’s where I met (Midland coach) Jaison Jones. I had one of the higher scores at the combine and he offered me a chance to come to Midland. I still wasn’t sure whether I wanted to cheer or play football, then I found out I could do both at Midland.”
Given the chance to pursue two of her biggest passions at Midland, Amaurie couldn’t be happier about the way things have worked out. Coming from a big city, Amaurie has enjoyed a wonderful transition to midwestern life. “My first day on campus, I was in awe of how the school was situated in the center of a neighborhood. Big-school environments are OK, but you don’t get distracted by things here, and that’s allowed me to focus on my education.”
Helping with her transition to a brand new environment were her teammates in both cheerleading and flag football. “My cheer teammates took me in right away and my teammates on both teams support me and push me to be the best I can.”
Like many other students who choose Midland, Amaurie appreciates the one-on-one attention given by her professors. “I love having the smaller class sizes. You come to class knowing you will get the help you need. You have professors who will check in on you to make sure you are doing OK.”
It may not be as busy as the Vegas strip, but Amaurie appreciates that there is always something to do around campus. “Midland works to keep everyone involved. It might be something as small as pancakes on the second floor of the OSC, but it’s a way of showing students that you care and you want them to succeed.”
A Criminal Justice major, Amaurie has plans to graduate in three years. She wants to take what she’s learned into the prison system, helping incarcerated individuals get their lives back on the right path. “I want to work as a criminal psychologist. I want to understand why criminals commit the crimes they do, and help them get out of the mindset that it’s OK to be a criminal. I want them to be able to confide in me, help them rehab, and get them to understand why they did what they did.”
Amaurie is a sophomore Criminal Justice major from North Las Vegas, Nevada. To share your story or nominate a friend, email social@midlandu.edu or post using #FacesofMidland.
