Fryman's MSU education was a Level UP thanks to hands-on learning
Rose Fryman (Class of 2026) admits she was on the fence when she first considered enrolling at Morehead State University. However, after a single campus tour and a thorough look at the numbers, she was ready to become an Eagle.
"I immediately fell in love with the beautiful campus scenery, friendly people, student organization offerings, and academic program opportunities," she said. "What made my decision to attend MSU final was the incredible affordability of such a high-quality education and college experience. MSU made graduating debt-free possible for me."
While Fryman values the personalized attention and support she received from faculty and staff, it was Morehead State's many hands-on learning opportunities that most enhanced her career preparation.
On her way to earning a Bachelor of Arts in English, Fryman gained valuable experience outside of the classroom.
Among several grants and academic scholarships she received, Fryman was selected for the U.S. Department of State's prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This grant program provides students in need of financial support with the opportunity to study and intern abroad. In March 2024, Fryman traveled to South Korea to observe South Korean primary and secondary school systems and learn about Korean poetry as part of one of MSU's Level UP courses.
Fryman also completed research for MSU's Department of English & Modern Languages, including providing feedback on dual-credit high school English papers and presentations, and receiving mentorship from Dr. Alison Hruby, director of the Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning and professor of English education, as Fryman assisted with research on antiracist literature in underachieving classrooms.
When it came to obtaining in-demand career skills, Fryman achieved this by completing several courses through the Level UP program.
Level UP is an initiative to ensure students can engage in experiences that prepare them for success, including undergraduate research, education abroad, service learning, and internships within the courses in their major. The courses focus on building career skills such as oral and written communication, professionalism, critical thinking, and teamwork.
"The truly tangible and undeniable benefit of all that I did through my Level UP experiences is that I was able to graduate not only with a degree, but with a resume packed full of real academic and professional experiences that I could use to speak to my work ethic and skill set," Fryman said. "I went into college knowing that employers look for a history of experiences that reflect a diverse and well-developed skill set, and MSU immediately offered me countless options for getting involved and growing professionally, academically and personally."
Fryman's real-world experience continued after she returned from her education abroad. She served as a peer advisor from August 2024 to January 2026, advising students through academic probation and, at one point, leading a team of peer coaches. She also served as a resident advisor in 2025, when MSU hosted the Upward Bound program, a summer academy that welcomed over 200 high school students.
During her senior year, Fryman landed an internship with the Gateway Area Development District in Morehead, which she discovered by attending a Career & Internship Fair hosted by the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education.
"In my internship, I was repeatedly recognized for my hard work and ability to quickly learn and understand organization procedures and tasks," she said. "During my last semester at the University, I was recognized as the 2026 Outstanding Student in the English, an honor that reflects both the great deal of dedication I had to my academic success and the impact of consistently utilizing campus resources and opportunities."
Fryman is using her education and preparation as an admissions counselor at Maysville Community and Technical College (MCTC) in Mt. Sterling, though she admits she will always be one of MSU's biggest advocates.
"Many individuals graduate college with overwhelming student loan debt and few connections; however, if you attend MSU and access the resources that are readily available, you can graduate with much lower debt as well as meaningful professional connections and experiences that can land you a job right after graduation," she said. "While colleges are often assessed by young people based on the social experiences and city/campus life they offer, MSU offers what is important to starting off an academic and professional career while still holding a diverse variety of social and community-building opportunities."
To learn more about MSU's Level UP program, internships, undergraduate research and education abroad, contact the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education at careerservices@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2233.
Photos: Rose Fryman spent time studying in South Korea as part of Morehead State's Education Abroad.
