Meet Our Diversity Fellows

I am double-majoring in Sociology and English, and I’m in the process of creating a Performing Arts minor. Conn was the first school I visited, and I fell in love with the campus, class sizes and opportunities available to me. I am a relationship-oriented person, which means I greatly value the relationships between professors and students, and I felt as though this need would be honored, and met, at Conn. During my interview at the College, I expressed my interest in nonprofit work and writing, and in response I was told of all the different opportunities past students had taken. There was such a wide variety of options, and I knew that I wanted to do the same, plus more; I decided to commit to Conn knowing that my interests and desires would be satisfied and positively challenged.

Performing and writing/editing are the two things that fill my life with the most joy and excitement; so these activities are how I fill most of my time. I am involved in a slew of activities, such as Dance Team, Conn Christian Fellowship and the Connecticut College Department of Theater, to name a few. These are all important to me because they have created space for me to actively pursue my passions while enhancing my education and fields of study.

As odd as it may sound, my favorite spot on campus has to be the floor of one of my closest friend’s room! It’s where we do our homework together, and it feels like a safe place. But I would also say that I love the Coffee Closet, one of our student-run coffee shops on campus!

When thinking about which school I wanted to attend, many factors came into play, such as distance from home and educational opportunities. While Conn satisfied my needs, what helped solidify my choice was Conn’s student-body size. Our campus size of about 1,900 students helped assure me that classes would feel more personal; I wouldn’t have to worry about getting left behind in a lecture of 200+ students. After nearly two years at Conn, I’d say my experience with small classroom sizes has helped me become more successful and comfortable engaging in my classes and communicating with my professors.

I’m vice president of the People of Color Alliance (POCA). Our goal is to help create an environment of inclusivity for people of color to express their intersectionality. Much of my position involves communicating closely with faculty, staff and club members to ensure that events are successfully planned for everyone on campus to enjoy and learn from. I care deeply about what I do, because it helps create space for students of color on campus and spreads awareness about who we are at Conn. I’m also the  baking manager at the Coffee Closet, which is a lot of fun, as I get to delegate responsibilities while exploring and learning more about a hobby I enjoy. 

One of my favorite quirks about Conn is the random food-truck pop-ups that happen during finals week, special events or just for fun. It’s always a nice surprise to see different types of food available. It’s a treat that a lot of students look forward to, as it brings a relaxing atmosphere even during stressful times.

When I looked at colleges, I knew I needed a place close to home but far away enough to gain a sense of independence, which I’d never really had before. I also knew (because I went to a small high school) that I wanted a small college environment, where I could develop close relationships with my teachers and receive as much help as possible. Eventually I visited the campus; I knew this school was perfect for me and just what I wanted, so I applied ED1. At Connecticut College, I am the co-chair of the Men of Color Alliance (MOCA) and the chair of the Student Activities Council (SAC). These organizations have both been helpful in my time here at Conn, in very different yet parallel ways. While MOCA has helped me feel comfortable in a predominantly white space, SAC has allowed me to share in creating memories for myself and hundreds of other students. And both groups have given me the chance to be a leader on campus and helped me gain a better understanding of what it means to enact change even when you’re in the minority. 

One of my favorite spots on campus is the section of booths in the student center, Crozier Williams, right next to Oasis, our snack shop. While it can be a perfect place to study and work during the day, it’s also an amazing spot to just get together with friends and relax when you need a break!