Like most freshmen at universities all over the United States, Kristy Grinere ’13 was excited about becoming a college student. The Long Island resident was particularly enthused to enroll at Rider, which offered the “small-school atmosphere” that strongly appealed to her.

Another aspect that drew Grinere to Lawrenceville was the wide variety of academic programs from which to pick. In her case, it was vitally important. You see, Kristy Grinere, freshman, had absolutely no idea what major to choose.

“It was actually kind of scary, to be honest,” recalled Grinere, now a senior Journalism major. “It seemed like everyone else had a really good idea of what they wanted to do, and I had none.”

Grinere enrolled in Compass, a forerunner to the current GLASS program, which offers undeclared and undecided students a variety of initiatives, through academic support and guidance, to help choose a major that is right for them. Through the program, she was encouraged to visit classes across a range of disciplines in search of the field that would pique her intellectual curiosity.

“For most of my freshman year, I took my basic core classes,” she said, explaining that if nothing else, she was at least fulfilling the requirements for a degree – in whatever major she might choose. Before long, Grinere found herself in an expository writing class, and the spark had been ignited.

“I was doing a lot of creative writing for the first time, and I really connected with it,” recalled Grinere, who quickly gravitated toward the Journalism program. “Once I figured out that’s what I wanted to do, it all changed.”

Grinere’s success in the Compass program made her an idea candidate to serve as a student mentor for the GLASS pilot program during her sophomore year.

“It was a really great experience for me, so I was glad to help out,” she said.

In her role as a GLASS mentor, Grinere is matched up with a student prior to the start of the mentee’s freshman year. The mentees – incoming students who have yet to declare a major – enjoy all the benefits of the GLASS program, but also from the more unstructured, one-on-one peer advisement Grinere provides.

“It’s cool to get connected to students, who I know have the same worries I had,” said Grinere, who has mentored three GLASS participants so far. “It also reminds me of the help I got from the program.”

While the possibilities of the program are clear, they are particularly evident every Friday in the pages of The Rider News, the University’s award-winning student newspaper. There, Grinere excels in the often difficult position of articulating the publication’s editorial voice as its opinion editor.

Grinere, who will graduate in May, is ready to hit the job market, and “has been applying like crazy” for work in a variety of media outlets.

“I’d like to work in editorial, because I really do have that passion for writing,” said Grinere, noting that she also carries a minor in Multimedia and Web Design. Her dream job? “I would love to work for Rolling Stone!”

No matter which direction she chooses, Grinere can know that the road ahead is clearer when viewed through GLASS.