Summer ACE

Student Testimonials

ACE Students

Student Testimonials

Want to know more about what it’s like to join the ACE Summer Program? Hear about it directly from our students!

USF Summer ACE Program student Aishah Aidoo standing in front of fountain smiling.

Harshita mistry - Ace Student

Where are you from?

I am from Dubai, UAE (United Arab Emirates)

How did our outreach effort affect your onboarding process? (In other words: Did the program help you with and easier transition into fall?)

The ACE program was very helpful with an easier transition into the fall semester. I learned a lot about how college life would look like. Being an international student, I was very worried about my transitioning from high school to college, away from family. The ACE program cleared many of my doubts about USF and my future with the university. My professors, and my mentors, were very friendly and always answered all my queries with a smile. The ACE program prepared me well for fall and I’m glad I got the opportunity to join the ACE program.  

In what ways did you feel having mentors was helpful?

I have always had an introverted nature and find it very difficult to open up and ask questions to the professor. My mentor was very friendly, and I felt rather comfortable to talk to her about any of the doubts I had related to USF in general or my classes. My mentor was the first friend that I made at USF.  

How was your experience with classes and our faculty? (How do you feel about ACE overall?)

I felt very welcomed into USF through the ACE program. I think my classes and the faculty played an important role with my smooth transitioning into college. Both my professors were very friendly and helped me with any difficulty I had with classes. ACE also had a lot of activities and events arranged throughout summer which helped me get myself more engaged with USF and make more friends. ACE helped me a lot with making friends before the fall. Overall, I find joining the ACE program has been my best decision at USF.  

Any takeaways/advice you would like to give any student who is considering joining the program?

I would recommend joining this program if you want to experience college life before fall and prepare yourself for your first semester. I personally made a lot of friends and learned the way things worked in college. The ACE program doesn’t just focus on studying but also focuses on getting their students engaged in the ACE community which is my biggest take away from the program.    


Isiah Reilly, USF student

Isiah Reilly - Ace student

Where are you from?

I am from Cooper City, Florida. 

How did our outreach effort affect your onboarding process? (In other words: Did the program help you with and easier transition into fall?)

I think the ACE program helped gave me help and reassurance that I had a support system I could go to if I had questions or concerns. It absolutely helped my transition.

In what ways did you feel having mentors was helpful?

Mentors were most helpful in helping me find opportunities to not miss out on and to guide me in the right direction. I found the college workload a big adjustment from High School and so having someone you can ask for advice who has been in your shoes before is very insightful.

How was your experience with classes and our faculty? (How do you feel about ACE overall?)

Overall, the ACE program was super helpful in adjusting me to a college schedule. The professors, ACE coordinators, and mentors seemed like they truly cared about everyone, and it made it easier to ask them for advice. It also gave me the opportunity to take classes I wouldn’t otherwise take like anthropology which I ended up pursuing as a minor.

Any takeaways/advice you would like to give any student who is considering joining the program?

Do it! You get to complete classes while socializing with peers, it’s really the best of both worlds.


Ruth Cajuste headshot

Ruth Cajuste - Ace student

Where are you from?

I am from Orlando, Florida.

How did our outreach effort affect your onboarding process? (In other words: Did the program help you with and easier transition into fall?)

The program’s outreach effort greatly affected my onboarding process in a positive manner. Coming to USF through the Summer ACE program allowed me to have a smooth transition into the fall semester by making me familiar to the campus and its resources, making new friends, and introducing me to college course work. 

In what ways did you feel having mentors was helpful?

Having mentors was helpful in the way that I was guaranteed to have someone to talk to at least once a week. First coming to USF, I didn’t know much of anyone and I was lonely. Before I made any friends, I would look forward to talking to my mentor and this especially helped the first couple weeks of the program. 

How was your experience with classes and our faculty? (How do you feel about ACE overall?)

Overall, I had a great experience with my classes and the faculty. ACE was an amazing time for me, and I had a great experience in both my courses and really liked both of my professors. I keep up with one of them till this day even. 

Any takeaways/advice you would like to give any student who is considering joining the program?

Some advice I would like to give to any student who is considering joining the program is don’t be afraid to branch out and talk to new people! You’ll possibly meet wonderful people and become close friends with them.   


USF Summer ACE Program student Allie Mourer standing in front of a building smiling.

Nick Stempniak - Ace Student

Where are you from?

I was born in Kansas, and lived most of my life in the U.S.; however, I moved to Germany for high school, and then moved back to the United States to attend college at USF.  

How did our outreach effort affect your onboarding process? (In other words: Did the program help you with an easier transition into fall?)

Yes, the ACE Program made it easier for me to transition into fall because I was able to start college in relatively small classes, and slowly transition into larger classes in the fall. 

In what ways did you feel having mentors was helpful?

Having a mentor was helpful because I had someone who recently went through the same experience and was there to give me advice and help with my transition from high school to college. 

How was your experience with classes and our faculty? (How do you feel about ACE overall?)

I had a very good experience with classes and faculty. The professors during ACE are understanding and make an effort to know their students. I feel that the ACE program is a great opportunity for incoming students to get to know their peers and the university. 

Any takeaways/advice you would like to give any student who is considering joining the program?

The advice I would give to a student who is considering joining the program would be to make an effort to meet the other students in their classes and always turn assignments in on time!