Audience members filled Eastern’s Concert Hall on Feb. 19 for an exclusive premiere of the Amazon Prime Video series “The College Tour,” which features an episode dedicated to Eastern in its upcoming season this spring. In addition to the exclusive screening, the event featured a premiere party and Q&A session with the student cast.

The episode follows the journey of 10 Eastern students and alumni, giving viewers worldwide an immersive look of Eastern’s beautiful campus, tucked in the small town of Willimantic.

Eastern President Karim Ismaili praised the cast and the episode, saying that it will bring much-deserved publicity to Eastern. As president, “the first decision I made was to green light” the film, he said. “Eastern is a hidden gem, but it shouldn’t be hidden; it’s a gem.”

"I'm so incredibly proud of our students. They brought so much energy, heart and authenticity to this episode," said Ryan Quigley, director of university relations, who helped facilitate the filming and production. "Seeing their excitement and the positive atmosphere at the screening was a reminder of what a special place Eastern is."

Now in its 13th season and hosted by Alex Boylan, “The College Tour” showcases colleges and universities across the United States. Eastern’s episode highlights its academics, athletics, residential experience, student life and campus resources/initiatives.

Raena Beetham, director of admissions marketing and events, spoke to the audience before the screening. “Students wrote their own scripts, so these are truly their stories,” she said. Beetham noted that the episode has been several months in the making, with filming taking place on campus this past October.

Senior psychology major Brayden Alexis was the first student featured in the episode. He discussed his “life-changing” experiences in Eastern’s study abroad and global field course programs, which took him to Africa and Europe. “I got to travel around the world for about as much money as it would have cost to stay here,” he said.

Next was senior environmental earth science major Hailey Cocca, another student whose experience was enriched by studying abroad. Cocca discussed doing her Honors thesis research in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain as well as being supported as a student-athlete on the women’s soccer team.

Katherine Escalante, a senior political science and philosophy major, discussed her status as a first-generation college student from out of state. She highlighted Eastern’s sustainability initiatives such as Shawn’s Cupboard and Thrift Warriors. Escalante also expressed gratitude for faculty mentorship at Eastern.

Erik Suzio is a sophomore psychology major and student-athlete on Eastern’s men’s lacrosse team. He praised the supportive faculty, friends and coaches he has found at Eastern and expressed his desire to become a school counselor and lacrosse coach to provide similar support.

Senior Ian Valeta discussed changing majors and blending his interests with a major in computer science and a minor in studio art. Valeta is a first-generation Honors Scholar and spoke of the tutoring help he gives and receives at Eastern’s Academic Success Center (ASC).

Sophomore business administration major Emily Conte is “busy and involved” on campus. She told viewers of the various supportive communities she has found on campus, from the 180 Christian Fellowship to the theatre program, in which she played the lead in “Carrie: The Musical” in fall 2023.

Sophomore Jaiden Sorrell is part of Eastern’s inaugural class of nursing majors. He discussed following in the footsteps of his mother, who is a nurse and audience member at the screening. He compared Eastern to the small town he grew up in; he enjoys seeing people he knows while walking to class.

Senior computer science major Jaime Rankins also spoke highly of the ASC, as well as the Office of Career Services, for providing her with career advancement opportunities, such as a software development internship.

Kylie Vermilya, a graduate accounting major, transferred to Eastern in her junior year. She expressed gratitude for her time volunteering at the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) as well as the cheer team. She cheered for the first time in her life her junior year, traveling to the national club tournament.

Chris Weedon Jr. ’15 graduated with a degree in communication, following experiences with WECS 90.1 FM Radio and Eastern’s athletics department. He received a life-changing internship with NBCUniversal his senior year; he is still with the company today.

After the screening, Quigley and Beetham hosted a question-and-answer session onstage with the students from the episode. Cocca said the most challenging part of telling her story was “trying to explain the science behind my research and make it come to life in a script.”

Conte and Valeta emphasized the importance of on-campus involvement. Conte discovered several of her current involvements at the Student Involvement Fair in her first semester. “I didn’t want to stay stuck in my dorm,” she said.

Valeta echoed Conte’s sentiment that “kicking yourself out the door” can help define one’s college experience. Having tried about 40 on-campus clubs, Valeta reflected: “You may not jive with every room you’re in, but if that stops you from finding [supportive] spaces, you’re missing out on so much.”

For more on "The College Tour," visit Eastern's episode website.