A future so bright Ariana Guido says BYU–Hawaii offered her more opportunities than any university ever could By Emily Cassler
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Ariana Guido said she felt her beliefs and values were understood by the professors at BYUH. Photo provided by Ariana Guido. 58
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r iana Guido, a senior from Simi Valley, California, transferred to BYU–Hawaii from a junior college in Southern California in 2018. Guido explained she originally came to BYUH to reconnect the distance she felt between herself and her academic journey. This distance, she said, stemmed from the lack of understanding she felt from teachers and peers who were not aware of her religion and values. “I decided to come to BYUH because I was originally studying at a junior college in Southern California where I lived, and I just felt like I really wanted to go to a school where I felt like my beliefs were understood by my professors because I just felt that disconnect between my professors at my previous school and the students also.” Guido said it was difficult to have certain classes with professors who didn’t understand her religious views. This, she said, led to some discomfort that began to affect her learning. Eventually, Guido said, she started to consider the idea of coming to BYUH. “I just felt really special energy about this place and it stuck with me for years. So I applied and I got in. It was actually the only school I applied to.” Guido decided to continue studying communications and said today’s culture, as well as her previous junior college credits, led her to make that decision. She explained, “In our world, I feel like communications can really translate well into a real job. It was such a great decision because I’ve loved being in this program. I think the communications program is really great here and has a lot to offer.” Guido’s fiance, Ben Cranney, a senior from California studying communications, said he first noticed Guido in their communications class where they worked alongside each other. After being introduced to each other in 2019, Cranney said he noticed Guido’s work
