Life at CMU: Students Favorites

Story and photos by: Alivia Cranick

At CMU, the campus is more than classrooms and lecture halls, it’s a vibrant network of spaces where students find comfort, connection and inspiration.  

For Bianca Cabarios, Brooke Haught, and Josiah Thomas, the places on campus they love most reflect their personalities, interests and how they navigate college life. Each spot has its own rhythm, its own energy, and its own way of making students feel like they belong. 

“My favorite place on campus is the Volunteer Center in the UC because they have free popcorn and that is where I work,” said Cabarios. She enjoys the mix of resources and social connections the center provides.  

“You can find resources that help with financial wellness, and there are faculty and students who yap with me and help me with questions and stuff,” Cabarios explained. For her, it’s a space that blends productivity and fun.  

Cabarios excitement is clear, “I am excited to go to work every day,” she said, adding the center makes her feel “very college and comfortable.”  

The Volunteer Center is more than just a workspace—it’s a welcoming environment where Cabarios feels like part of a community while helping others. 

Haught finds her favorite spot at the Student Activity Center, or SAC, where students can stay active and socialize. “The SAC makes me feel included on campus,” she said.  

Haught enjoys swimming in the pool and playing volleyball on the small courts with friends. “It lets students not be crammed in their rooms all the time,” she said. The SAC is a place of movement and connection, where Haught can relieve stress, bond with classmates, and stay physically active.  

“Being there makes me feel like I’m part of a bigger community,” Haught said, highlighting how important these moments of activity are to her overall college experience. 

Thomas gravitates toward the MASS office, where he finds a combination of comfort and focus. “The MASS office gives me lots of opportunities for study spaces. Sometimes there are snacks available, and it’s just good vibes and good people,” he said. 

 For Thomas, the office is a place where he can relax while staying productive. “It makes me feel comfortable and at home, welcomed and relaxed and focused,” he explained. 

 The MASS office provides a calm, supportive environment that allows Haught to concentrate on his studies while feeling part of the CMU community. 

Although Cabarios, Haught and Thomas each have different favorite spots, these spaces share one thing in common: they make students feel at home, connected, and supported.  

From the popcorn-scented Volunteer Center to the energetic SAC and the calm inviting MASS office, CMU’s campus is full of places that foster friendship, growth and well-being.  

These spots make college life more than just classes. They make it feel like home. Walking across campus the impact of these spaces is evident.  

The Volunteer Center buzzes with friendly chatter, the SAC echoes with splashes and laughter, and the MASS office hums with quiet focus. Together, these favorite places help shape the student experience at CMU, turning the campus into a community where every student can find their own corner of comfort, activity and belonging.