Why I Chose EMU

Quentin Francis: ‘Eastern embraces many different cultures.’

Quentin Francis, a 2019 graduate with a Political Science degree, immediately picked up a positive vibe during his first visit to the EMU campus.

“It felt and looked like the real world,” says Francis, who attended a predominantly white high school in his native Columbus, Ohio. “I realized I wanted to attend a university that not only made me feel comfortable but also created an environment that allowed me to learn about and appreciate different identities.”

Francis currently works in Ann Arbor as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual. He says his Eastern experiences—including a course on Interracial Communication—have helped him transition to the working world.

“The class showed me not only what to do but what to expect from others when it came to communication from other communities,” Francis says. “It's one of the many lessons that have stuck with me and it played a big factor in the work environment I was looking for after graduation.”

New experiences

Francis found no shortage of opportunities to become involved on campus and develop his professional skills.

“Some of my most memorable experiences were serving on the executive board of Student Government and the National Pan-Hellenic Council and being involved as a peer mentor with the Brotherhood and Sisterhood Scholars Programs,” he says. “There were so many different options to help me grow as a person. Eastern will change you for the better if you’re open to new experiences.”

The like-mindedness Francis discovered among his fellow students made his years at Eastern all the more valuable.

“No matter what specific interests you bring to campus or develop once you come here, there’s an organization for you,” he says. “I found many different people who share the same pursuits.”