Arie Likhtman
Critical Communication and Media Studies major, Music Industry Studies and Philosophy double minors
St. Louis, Missouri
Co-curricular activities and/or internships: Research Assistant for Butler University Critical Communication and Media Studies Department; Butler University Speaker’s Lab Student Manager and Tutor; Butler University Athletic Bands; Tau Beta Sigma Band Service Sorority; CCOM Dean’s Student Advisory Board; internships at Allies Anti-Trafficking and Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation
What were some of your favorite memories as a Butler student?
My favorite memory is when all the fans stormed the court after Butler Men’s Basketball won by one point over Xavier. I felt part of something bigger than myself at that moment. I never liked sports before I arrived at Butler, and now I am leaving school as a devoted Bulldogs fan. At that moment on the court, I felt at home.
I also loved presenting at the Undergraduate Research Conference as a sophomore. I didn’t know that I could have the opportunity to present my research for academic review as early as my sophomore year. That experience made me feel a part of an academic community that was genuinely invested in me.
What were the best parts about your major and/or your college?
The best part of my major/college is the people. Every single time I enter the College of Communication, I always feel that I have someone to talk to. The faculty genuinely cares about not only my academic life but also my personal life.
What professor and/or staff member played an important role during your time at Butler?
Dr. Kristin Swenson has been my academic advisor since my sophomore year. She has always been there to support me as a student and a person. She is always by my side whenever I need assistance. She is genuinely one of the warmest human beings I have ever met, and I would not be the person I am today without her.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be attending a doctoral program in communications at the University of Pittsburgh.
How did Butler prepare you for this next step?
Butler gave me the infrastructure I needed to prepare for graduate-level work. My professors constantly pushed me while nurturing the skills I needed to thrive in difficult situations. Butler also gave me the ability to study diverse topics. I never felt boxed in. Because of the breadth of classes I could take at Butler, my applications for graduate school were genuinely unique.
What are your long-term career goals?
I want to become a professor in the communications field. I want to dedicate my time to teaching the next generation of scholars and performing groundbreaking research in communications.
What are you going to miss most about your time at Butler?
I will miss the school culture. Butler University is the most loving and supportive environment I have ever been in. I had never before experienced a place where I felt welcomed and supported by every person I met.
What advice would you give a first-year student?
Where you start is not where you will end up. I have changed my major twice since I started my time at Butler. This University constantly presents you with new challenges and opportunities and it’s important to say yes as much as you can. Never lock yourself into one path because you never know what is waiting for you down another road.