Transfer student turns interest in electrical engineering into career with MyPath2ASU

Program helps plan term by term, minimizes loss of credit

July 7, 2023

Jared Gale said he always envisioned going to college and was growing concerned about the toll his job repairing heavy equipment in Arizona copper mines was taking on his health and well-being.

Gale started his road to higher education at Central Arizona College before completing his degree at Arizona State University via the MyPath2ASU program. Transfer student Jared Gale Jared Gale (right) has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from ASU. He started his higher education journey at Central Arizona College and used the MyPath2ASU program to transfer. Download Full Image

Gale said he found the Central Arizona College professors approachable, with a passion for teaching and making difficult concepts easier to understand.

His father was an electrical engineer, and Gale ultimately developed a strong interest in electrical engineering as well, making it his major.

Gale said he chose to transfer to ASU because of the innovative programs, experiential learning opportunities and support services that were especially helpful as a working parent. Gale met with his community college advisor and learned how the MyPath2ASU program would help to plan his transfer path term by term, saving him time and money while minimizing loss of credit.

Gale said he appreciated the MyPath2ASU pathway program for helping him successfully navigate the transfer process.

“It was amazing, my advisor was able to lay out my entire program for me while at CAC. That also provided me with the resources I needed to do the same when I started at ASU, so the transition between the two was very smooth and there were very few surprises. When I actually started at ASU, I understood what to expect,” Gale said.

Gale graduated from ASU with his Bachelor of Science in engineering from the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering in December 2021.

He discusses more about his transfer journey below.

Question: Were you involved in any clubs or organizations at your community college?

Answer: I was involved with the honors group, Phi Theta Kappa, which included many research opportunities through the organization as well. I was also involved in helping a teacher with his astronomy class; he did a lot of community outreach with the younger elementary aged kids, and I helped him in the evenings with different stargazing activities using telescopes.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: I chose ASU because I lived in Casa Grande and it was the closest university for us, as I didn't want to uproot my wife and little daughter. I also looked at the course load and the different classes that were offered under the engineering path and they seemed a lot more interesting than what the other universities offered. It seemed like ASU had more classes that were directed towards what I wanted to learn in the path I wanted to take.

Q: What did you enjoy most about your ASU experience?

A: One of the things I enjoyed most about My ASU experience was the flexibility I had with my professors. I had to bring my daughter with me to school many times and all my professors seemed to very much enjoy having her be a part of our class. My professors were also willing to work with me when dad duties came and I needed additional support.

The professors all around just understood that we are people and that we're not just machines here to master specific things. They were able to work with you a lot more than just during office hours, which was a great thing. Another thing I really enjoyed about ASU is the undergraduate teaching assistant program, which I participated in and worked as a TA for quite a few semesters. That was really cool to be a part of and give back to some of the students. The experience also solidified my foundation of the more basic concepts and skillset.

Q: What's one piece of advice that you would give to a new ASU transfer student?

A: Your success is going to be based on three factors. It's going to be about showing up, doing the work, and then following through to the end. And if you can do those three things, you're going to graduate with an amazing GPA and with amazing opportunities.

Q: How are you using your bachelor’s degree?

A: I'm currently working in environmental testing, testing components at a subassembly level to make sure they will survive the environment you design them to meet. So, you can definitely apply what you learned at ASU and from your engineering degree.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?

A: I think ASU has a lot of really good resources that are not very well known, especially for transfer students. When you have questions, don't be afraid to ask. And a lot of times people are willing to go further than you'd imagine just to help you. Don't ever be afraid to stand out and ask a question that may seem silly or stupid, as it really could be the key to your success.

Melanie Pshaenich

Coordinator senior, Office of the University Provost, Academic Alliances

602-496-1180 melanie7@asu.edu

ASU honors grad inspires others with journey from war-torn country to White House internship

Prince Murray sitting at a desk smiling with flags behind him.

Arizona State University alumnus Prince Murray’s road from war-torn Liberia to ASU to the White House was paved with hardship and tragedy — but with resilience, hard work and hope he always felt he would make it.“You know what I have always told myself? I say, ‘If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will believe in you,’” said Murray, 30, who graduated ASU in 2021 with a bachelor�...

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ASU honors grad inspires others with journey from war-torn country to White House internship

July 10, 2023

“You know what I have always told myself? I say, ‘If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will believe in you,’” said Murray, 30, who graduated ASU in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations with honors from Barrett, The Honors College. Prince Murray sitting at a desk smiling with flags behind him. Prince Murray, a May 2021 ASU graduate, interned at the White House in Washington, D.C., from January through May this year. Photo courtesy Prince Murray Download Full Image

“I feel like if you have passion for something you want to do, believe in yourself, and if you are determined and work hard there’s nothing that’s impossible.”

That strong belief in himself and life’s possibilities helped Murray get through some very tough times and move on to opportunities.

One such opportunity came in the form of a paid internship in the White House in Washington, D.C.

Earlier this year, Murray worked in the Office of Presidential Correspondence, assisting with special projects and processing mail from constituents.

Murray said the highlights of his internship included a class photo with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and attending an official state visit by the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee. He also met First Lady Jill Biden when he helped at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

Murray was born and raised in the West African country of Liberia, which saw civil war in 1989–1997 and 1999–2003. In 2006, he immigrated to the U.S. as a refugee after the death of his older brother.

Due to the conflicts and lack of family resources, Murray stopped attending school in the second grade. When he arrived in the U.S., he was placed in eighth grade because of his age but struggled through middle and high school.

Murray had to repeat the 12th grade three times and take a state standardized test nine times before graduating high school in December 2013 with a 2.3 GPA.

In 2014, he enrolled in Glendale Community College, where he joined the honors program and participated in The Fund for American Studies program in Washington, D.C.

“I was so nervous because, imagine, it’s a summer program and you have students from other universities like Harvard, Stanford and Yale, and I was at a community college,” he said.

“I was taking a class in public policy and I met students from diverse backgrounds and they inspired me. It was very challenging, but at the end of the day I learned a lot. Being there with them made me want to work harder.”

He then began his work in politics, first interning for U.S. Congressman Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and then working with the Ohio Democratic Party as a field organizer for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2016.

In 2018, he received two associate degrees from GCC — one in general studies and another in liberal arts — with distinction. He transferred to ASU, where he flourished as an undergraduate and continued his involvement in politics and community service.

Murray now has his sights set on attending Harvard or Yale to pursue a law degree and eventually working as an attorney specializing in criminal and civil law or immigration.

“ASU has changed my life for the better,” he said, adding that he credits Gina Woodall, teaching professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies; Barrett Honors Faculty Fellow April Miller; and Barrett Director of Admissions Keith Southergill with helping him succeed as an undergraduate.

Woodall mentored Murray and recommended him for the White House internship, and Miller pushed him to excel in honors courses.

“When I first came to Barrett, I was so nervous. When I first walked into class, there were so many students who I thought were smarter than me. I wasn’t sure I could do it. But she motivated me. She told me I could do it. Dr. Miller really challenged me. She was one of the toughest professors I ever had, but she made me a better thinker and a better writer,” he said.

“That’s what makes Barrett an exceptional institution. … You have faculty members and staff who believe in your ability to excel,” Murray said. “Being in Barrett was one of the best decisions I ever made academically.”

Matthew Dempsey and Charles Ripley, both at ASU’s School of Politics and Global Studies, also played an important role in his educational journey, he added.

Murray said he wants to extend the inspiration he received at ASU to others and encourage them to excel as students and beyond.

“I had a lot of issues when I came to the U.S. I missed a lot of years of school and, you know, I went through a lot, but I was determined. If there’s one thing I would tell them, it is know your passion. Your passion will take you far. And always be consistent in everything you do. Be persistently dedicated. Challenge yourself and get involved and take advantage of all the resources that are available to you.”