Lexie Schultz

To hear Lexie Schultz talk about her experiences at SVSU, you might be surprised to learn that she seriously considered leaving within the first semester. 

Before enrolling, Lexie was no stranger to SVSU. Her parents and brother all graduated from the university. Even with that familiarity, or because of it, she had considered attending another university. Ultimately, scholarship support tipped the scale in SVSU’s favor, but it didn’t feel like a good fit at first. As a commuter student, Lexie felt somewhat detached from other students and she was having doubts about her major and decision to attend SVSU.

“I didn’t think I could major in both music and theatre without adding on a lot of time in college,” Lexie explained, “so I chose music. I was completely miserable my entire first semester.”

That changed when Lexie got involved in SVSU’s theatre program late in her first semester. She learned that it would be possible to graduate with a dual major in four years. And She found opportunities that ignited her imagination and passion for performing.    

Lexie’s dual degree ― music and theatre — opened doors to experiences she never imagined as a freshman. She has attended the regional and national Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival multiple times, winning accolades each time, including a prestigious Irene Ryan Scholarship nomination and a spot with the Open Jar Institute’s musical theatre intensive in New York City. For a time, she led a sketch comedy SVSU student organization called Cardinal Night Live and to complete her college experience, Lexie recently sang the national anthem at her own graduation. 

While Lexie’s scholarships covered all of her tuition needs, she needed to work to cover living expenses. If she had had to work many more hours, the rigorous theatre production schedules would have been impossible to maintain and the development of her craft would have suffered.    

“Scholarship support, including the SVSU Theatre Scholarship and the Founders Scholarship, helped make it possible for me to participate more fully in theatre. That made all the difference.”

Lexie chose SVSU because of the scholarship support she received. She stayed because of the opportunities she discovered and the deep friendships she cultivated.  

Theatre and academic merit scholarships, like those Lexie received, are supported by gifts to the General Scholarship and Unrestricted funds. 

Ignite imagination at svsu.edu/impact.