Oklahoma Panhandle State University

A Canadian, Hillary Isleifson traveled from her home in Carlyle, Saskatchewan to OPSU to begin her freshman year in August. The 20-hour drive was the beginning of her college journey and her college experience. She was recruited to be a student athlete on the volleyball team, a sport in which she excelled at in both high school and with club teams in her home area of Carlyle and Weyburn. Isleifson recalls that as a youngster, she went to her first volleyball camp. It was only 15 miles away from her home and she got a little homesick, so she knew that travelling to an American college would be a challenge. Confident that she could compete in intercollegiate volleyball in this country, she accepted the challenge and joined the Lady Aggies.

A hard-working student athlete (who stands six feet tall), Isleifson performed well during preseason volleyball practice and earned a starting role that she held for the entire season. Her coach, Mike Stephens, has plenty of praise for Isleifson as a person and a player and said he wishes he had "Another 13 players just like her."

Isleifson’s dedication does not end on the volleyball court – it carries over into the classroom, where she also has an admirable work ethic. She has not declared a major field of study yet, but has been enjoying the core classes she has been taking.

According to Isleifson, there was not much culture shock for her because her hometown of Carlyle has about 1,300 residents, just about the same population of Oklahoma Panhandle State University. One major difference she has noted as winter begins is the perception OPSU students have of cold weather. She laughs about how several of her new friends and teammates were scurrying around campus complaining about the weather with temperatures in the 20s. On the night of December 12, the temperature in Goodwell was 40 degrees and on the same night in Carlyle, it was minus-18 degrees.

Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a great place to go to school and a great place to take part in the college experience. Each year, students from many different countries enjoy the OPSU Experience and enjoy their successes, as well as the knowledge and the memories they will keep for the rest of their lives. Over the years, many international students have learned and grown during their time at Oklahoma Panhandle State University . . . Hillary Isleifson is one of them.

Also, there are many outstanding young people competing in intercollegiate athletics at OPSU . . . Hillary Isleifson is one of them, too.