Student Spotlight / en Finishing What He Started /stories/2024/finishing-what-he-started <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Finishing What He Started</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/bbensonbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>BBENSON@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-10-09T11:37:31-04:00" title="Wednesday, October 9, 2024 - 11:37" class="datetime">Wed, 10/09/2024 - 11:37</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Veteran returns to school to complete management degree</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-10-10T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">October 10, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Brian Benson, G'23 </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>At 60 years old, <strong>Ronald Pace</strong>, ’26, is more than twice the age of many of his classmates. But his dream resonates across generations: to earn a college degree in hopes of bettering his life.</p><p>“It’s an exciting opportunity for me,” said Ronald, who hopes to leverage his BSU education to work in project management. “Once I get the degree, the (job) opportunities just open up.”</p><p>A disabled veteran, Ronald joined the military after high school and served in the Army and Coast Guard. He went on to work as a truck driver and owned a handyman business. He started taking college classes in Colorado but had to withdraw and move to Massachusetts for family reasons.</p><p>Now living in Brockton, Ronald is using veterans benefits to complete a degree in management at Bridgewater State. The transition, he said, has been remarkably easy thanks to support from Military &amp; Veteran Student Services and Transfer Services at BSU.</p><p>Ronald said Transfer Services Director <strong>Jeff Sarahs</strong>, ’10, G’12, “sat with me for an hour and, before I left that room, we had classes.”</p><p>Those courses include English, economics, international relations and critical thinking. He praised his classmates for helping him navigate the campus and even showing him how to order food from the on-campus Starbucks using his phone.</p><p>“I’ve got really good professors and really good classmates,” he said. “They don’t call me grandpa, yet.”</p><p>BSU even helped him with parking because he struggles to walk long distances.</p><p>No matter the physical challenges, Ronald draws on his inner determination to propel him toward a bachelor’s degree.</p><p>“Don’t give up on yourself at any time,” he said. “That’s my philosophy. I can show up here and fail, but at least I tried, which is better than never trying at all.”</p><p>Ultimately, the culture of acceptance at Bridgewater has made his college experience rewarding.</p><p>“It speaks volumes that (Bridgewater) is willing to educate anybody who wants to learn,” he said. “It says a lot about a school that’s willing to give a veteran a shot at finishing what he started.”</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-8ac3a4d9f0a" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Ronald Pace smiles while standing in front of a white background" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/pace.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--236756 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-236756"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>It speaks volumes that (Bridgewater) is willing to educate anybody who wants to learn. It says a lot about a school that’s willing to give a veteran a shot at finishing what he started.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Ronald Pace, '26 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/veterans-center" aria-label="Related stories tagged Veterans Center" hreflang="en">Veterans Center</a> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-credit field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Photo by Mackenzie Rubitschung, ’21, G’27 </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:37:31 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 253431 at Service First /stories/2024/service-first <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Service First</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/bbensonbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>BBENSON@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-09-12T08:52:48-04:00" title="Thursday, September 12, 2024 - 08:52" class="datetime">Thu, 09/12/2024 - 08:52</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Senior finds calling in helping others, serving with Trustees</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-09-12T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">September 12, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Brian Benson, G'23 </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>With a keen interest in the military, <strong>Emily Rose</strong>, ’25, was initially unsure if college was the right fit. But at Bridgewater State, Emily quickly found a calling: advocating for fellow students while preparing to enter the Army.</p><p>“I’ve developed my leadership skills in a way I never thought I’d be able to,” said Emily, a <a href="/department/criminal-justice" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1d690819-68f7-4e8b-818e-bfdfaa0d410c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Department of Criminal Justice">criminal justice</a> major who is minoring in Portuguese. “I’ve really grown in my ability to care for people and learning what others go through so I can help. I think it has been so beneficial.”</p><p>Emily, who has served in the Student Government Association since their first year, and participates in ROTC, is the student representative on the Board of Trustees for this school year. They were elected by their peers to the post on BSU’s top board.</p><p>As a trustee, Emily looks forward to analyzing data, expanding opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, and fostering the welcoming campus they have enjoyed throughout their time as a Bear.</p><p>“I really think it’s the students, their hard work and determination,” Emily said. “Everyone goes above and beyond. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a time when someone didn’t open a door for me and let me pass through.”</p><p>The annual back-to-school barbecue for the campus symbolizes the camaraderie that exists, Emily said.</p><p>“51Թ is a place where everyone anywhere on campus would feel safe,” they said in highlighting widespread support for the LGBTQIA+ community. “I feel comfortable to be who I am.”</p><p>Emily’s leadership isn’t limited by campus boundaries. They are also the commander of an Army ROTC company that includes students from Bridgewater, Curry College and Stonehill College.</p><p>Emily aspires to follow their father into the military, where they will no doubt rely on the leadership skills earned at Bridgewater.</p><p>“I don’t think I would be the same person I am without student government and the support of everyone above me who mentored me,” said Emily, praising connections with peers, faculty and administrators. “It wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for everyone at BSU.”</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-9304a918a7f" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Headshot of Emily Rose in front of a white background." decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/rose.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--235901 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-235901"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>I don’t think I would be the same person I am without student government and the support of everyone above me who mentored me. It wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for everyone at BSU.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Emily Rose, ’25 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/board-trustees" aria-label="Related stories tagged Board of Trustees" hreflang="en">Board of Trustees</a> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-credit field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Photo by Charlie Peters, G'20 </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 12 Sep 2024 12:52:48 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 253231 at Learning to Serve /stories/2024/learning-serve <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Learning to Serve</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/bbensonbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>BBENSON@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-08-20T14:48:23-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 20, 2024 - 14:48" class="datetime">Tue, 08/20/2024 - 14:48</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>First-year student is a leader on Massachusetts' Youth Advisory Council</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-08-22T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">August 22, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Brian Benson, G'23 </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><strong>Sofie De Coste</strong> has yet to take her first class as a BSU <a href="/department/political-science" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ef8daea2-6cba-4b82-8cf2-6d43fa303437" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Department of Political Science">political science</a> major, but the incoming freshman is already making a name for herself on Beacon Hill.</p><p>Sofie serves on Gov. Maura Healey’s Youth Advisory Council. She sees her Bridgewater State education as an opportunity to further expand her ability to make a difference in others’ lives.</p><p>“I’m most excited to start the journey to be a public servant,” said Sofie, who is eager to soak in the experience of her professors. “When it comes to political science, I can read every book in the world, but actual experience is something you can only get from individuals in the classroom.”</p><p>The Lakeville resident, who is also majoring in <a href="/department/psychology" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="120b2830-7f01-41c6-9296-d4adecc15c32" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Department of Psychology">psychology</a>, said she draws inspiration from her family. The daughter of a disabled Marine Corps veteran, she saw the costs of her father’s service continue to affect him as he aged. So, she is advocating for legislation to exempt fully disabled veterans from paying property taxes.</p><p>“Being aware of the situation, I thought I should be the one to take the steps and do something about it,” she said.</p><p>On the Youth Advisory Council, Sofie leads the youth violence committee, which is studying causes of violence and programs to help young people overcome those challenges.</p><p>She is also part of a squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, a national organization affiliated with the U.S. Air Force. Sofie specializes in ground searches for missing people and spent much of this summer training in Texas and Pennsylvania.</p><p>Sofie has also experienced obstacles to her success. After her family faced racial discrimination, she questioned how much she could do as a minority.</p><p>“I was always saying, ‘I’m going to go out and save the world,’” she said. “I faced all those injustices with my family and had to overcome that. There was definitely a period of time where I wasn’t so sure if I’d be able to.”</p><p>But she rediscovered her confidence and commitment to service through the Civil Air Patrol. Now Bridgewater stands out as another place where she can thrive.</p><p>“I wanted to stay close to home,” she said of choosing BSU. “I looked at the campus and the faculty were extremely supportive. What drew me here was the positive energy.”</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-4631c66d0f8" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Portrait photo of Sofie De Coste standing in front of trees and grass on a sunny day." decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/sofie.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--234566 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-234566"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>I looked at the campus and the faculty were extremely supportive. What drew me here was the positive energy.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Sofie De Coste, '28 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-credit field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Photo by Mackenzie Rubitschung, '21 </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 20 Aug 2024 18:48:23 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 252916 at Ambitious Advocate /stories/2024/ambitious-advocate <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Ambitious Advocate</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-08-12T09:41:33-04:00" title="Monday, August 12, 2024 - 09:41" class="datetime">Mon, 08/12/2024 - 09:41</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Senior selected as campus’ student-representative to Board of Higher Ed</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-08-13T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">August 13, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>When <strong>Imani Barbour</strong>, ’25, first arrived at 51Թ she already had goals in place and an idea how to reach them. The ambitious freshman wanted to make a difference and opted to double major in social work and sociology.&nbsp;</p><p>“I entered college as an advocate,” said Imani, now a senior. “My majors are both heavily focused on the environment and about helping other people. I have dedicated my life in service of others.”</p><p>She jumped right into campus life, becoming president of BSU’s African American Society, a resident advisor, and eventual head resident assistant.&nbsp;</p><p>Her efforts working in resident life caught the attention of the department’s Director <strong>Justin McCauley</strong>, as well as <strong>Christina McCauley</strong>, executive director, Center for Student Engagement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>When President <strong>Frederick W. Clark Jr</strong>. enlisted the support of Student Life to nominate potential student-representatives to the state’s Board of Higher Education, Imani was one of the first who came to mind.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;“We asked colleagues to provide suggestions on who they felt would be a good candidate and Imani was one of those considered,” Christina said.&nbsp;</p><p>Upon being nominated, Imani was quick to respond.&nbsp;</p><p>“I love doing anything that gets my voice heard on issues I see happening all around us,” she said. “Hearing that (people) thought I was a good candidate to represent state colleges and universities on a large scale felt empowering.”</p><p>Imani applied and went through the interview process and last semester learned that she was selected to serve as a student member on the Board of Higher Education.&nbsp;</p><p>“I was extremely nervous...but when they said, ‘Congratulations!’ I just smiled from ear to ear,” she said. “I kept saying thank you and that I look forward to beginning this project with them.”</p><p>Imani began her term July 1; it extends through the end of May, when the next student-representatives are selected.&nbsp;</p><p>As a student member, she looks forward to learning how the board does its work regarding the rules and regulations within higher education. She will serve in an advisory role on the board and attend its Student Advisory Council meetings.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;“I look forward to letting people know I am here for them, and their education, and am ready to advocate for changes we feel would be beneficial to our success,” Imani said. “If I can make one person feel seen or understood, I know I did the job I came to do. This position provides an opportunity do that.”&nbsp;</p><p>Students can reach out to Imani with questions or concerns by emailing <a href="mailto:ibarbour@student.bridgew.edu">ibarbour@student.bridgew.edu</a>.</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-0dc4b3e0635" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A woman smiles while standing in front of red and white balloons" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/imani_cropped_photo__1.jpeg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--234431 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-234431"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>I look forward to letting people know I am here for them, and their education, and am ready to advocate for changes we feel would be beneficial to our success.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Imani Barbour, ’25 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 12 Aug 2024 13:41:33 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 252866 at Love of Language /stories/2024/love-language <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Love of Language </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-07-26T13:32:08-04:00" title="Friday, July 26, 2024 - 13:32" class="datetime">Fri, 07/26/2024 - 13:32</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Alumna finds passion in <span>TESOL</span> instruction and helping others</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-07-30T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">July 30, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Ten years after graduating from high school <strong>Jolie Streeter-Duczkowski</strong>, ’21, decided it was time to go back to school and enrolled in a local community college.</p><p>“I was a teen mom,” Streeter-Duczkowski said. “For ten years, from the ages of 18 to 28, I had this feeling like I had wasted all my potential (in terms of my education). I felt that I had done everything wrong.”</p><p>It was through volunteering and helping others in her Taunton community that her mindset began to shift.</p><p>She volunteered at a language learners community center, teaching English to non-English speaking students.</p><p>“Helping others that were also feeling vulnerable helped me see that by empowering others, I can empower myself,” she said.</p> <div class="align-left ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--image-280w field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-819afc00fad" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Woman stands smiling" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/280w/public/media/images/jolie_street_inside_photo_.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>After transferring to 51Թ to study English with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (<span>TESOL</span>), she signed up to work as a tutor in the school’s Academic Achievement Center.</p><p>“I like doing two things, helping people and answering questions,” she said. “So, I found teaching and tutoring to be a good fit.”</p><p>After earning her undergraduate degree, she decided to continue her education and is currently enrolled in BSU’s graduate <span>TESOL</span> program.</p><p>As a student she gravitated toward helping multilingual students and worked in what was then called second language services.</p><p>Over time, she began to believe the name of the center was confusing, so Streeter-Duczkowski set out to change it and hopefully clear things up.</p><p>This past year, thanks to her efforts, the name of the center was changed to, “Tutoring for Multilingual Students.”</p><p>The name change has yielded positive results.</p><p>“We have fewer people coming in for mistaken reasons,” she said. “It helps to ensure that appointment times are being reserved for the correct type of help.”</p><p>To further help students, Streeter-Duczkowski organized BSU’s first multilingual fair in March. She collaborated with the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, student-run organizations, BSU’s navigator program, the Pride Center, and other community members to pull it all together.</p><p>More than 80 students attended the event where they learned about the different resources BSU offers, and there were also raffles, prizes, and gift bags.</p><p>All in all, it was a success.</p><p>As she works toward her master’s degree, Streeter-Duczkowski will continue to support BSU students, creating spaces for those who may be struggling.</p><p>“College is about finding your group, your community where you can be yourself, that’s how you grow as a person,” she said.</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-518f3717716" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Two women sit at a desk and talk to each other" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/jolie_streeter_photo_for_story_.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--233991 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-233991"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>College is about finding your group, your community where you can be yourself, that’s how you grow as a person.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Jolie Streeter-Duczkowski, ’21 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/alumni-profile" aria-label="Related stories tagged Alumni Profile" hreflang="en">Alumni Profile</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 26 Jul 2024 17:32:08 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 252646 at Making an Impact /stories/2024/making-impact <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Making an Impact </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-07-22T11:35:25-04:00" title="Monday, July 22, 2024 - 11:35" class="datetime">Mon, 07/22/2024 - 11:35</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Newman Fellow lauded for her advocacy work&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-07-23T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">July 23, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><span><strong>Summa</strong></span><strong> Slater’s</strong> drive to make a difference began in elementary school when she joined the Girl Scouts. Since then, she hasn’t looked back.</p><p>“Being involved in hands-on service at a young age deepened my understanding of direct service’s importance,” she said.</p><p>The senior continued her passion for advocacy at 51Թ, where she worked as an alternative break team leader through the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) and mentored local high schoolers.</p><p>Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.</p><p><span>Summa</span> received the 2024 BSU’s Unsung Hero Award, presented earlier this year at the annual Impact Award celebration. The award is given to someone who goes above and beyond in the development of leadership and service opportunities.</p><p>Upon returning from a service-learning trip to Cuba this past May, <span>Summa</span> received more good news, when she was chosen to be a 2024-25 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow.</p><p>The news was humbling.</p><p>“To be named a Newman Civic Fellow and to have this light shone upon me…means I’m capable of creating change across campus, not just in our community, but beyond” she said. “I’m honored to have this platform to continue the work I’ve been doing.”</p><p>The year-long program emphasizes personal, professional and civic growth. The goal is to learn how to collaborate effectively across all disciplines to create large-scale positive changes. Through the fellowship, students within the cohort will have the opportunity to network and develop as civic leaders.</p><p>BSU President <strong>Frederick W. Clark Jr</strong> is thrilled to learn <span>Summa</span> had been selected.</p><p>“As a student leader, she actively builds community and facilitates learning for her peers and local youth,” Clark said. “As a changemaker, she aims to mobilize and influence her peers to think critically, share their stories with people in positions of power, and get actively involved in voting."</p><p><span>Summa</span> hopes to develop a skill set that will teach her how to better organize people for causes she believes in, chief among them is getting students to the polls in this November’s presidential election.</p><p>“It’s so important to encourage others to vote, I hope to educate my peers on how to vote,” she said.</p><p>Beyond that, <span>Summa</span> plans to work and meet with students from various organizations at BSU to ensure all voices are heard.</p><p>“I want to create opportunities for my peers across campus so they can be advocates for themselves,” she said.</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-39dc487cd9a" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A woman stands smiling in front of a white building with black shutters" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/summa_slater_cropped_photo_.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--233946 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-233946"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>To be named a Newman Civic Fellow and to have this light shone upon me…means I’m capable of creating change across campus, not just in our community, but beyond. I’m honored to have this platform to continue the work I’ve been doing.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Summa Slater, '25 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 22 Jul 2024 15:35:25 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 252626 at Trying to Balance the Scales /stories/2024/trying-balance-scales <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Trying to Balance the Scales</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-06-04T09:48:55-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 4, 2024 - 09:48" class="datetime">Tue, 06/04/2024 - 09:48</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Award-winning psychology student researches controversial court procedure&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-06-11T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">June 11, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div lang="en-US"><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p><span>As a child, <strong>Alex Ray</strong>, ’25, had a bad experience within the family law court system that inspired him to pursue a career focusing on psychology and law.</span></p><p><span>“It’s a long story, but as a kid I had an adverse experience...It was then that I realized that I wanted to learn more about the law,” he said. “Ultimately, I want to help people and be in a position where I can advocate for others. I want to better understand the social sciences and how they can affect the law and can change the law.”</span></p><p><span>The 51Թ psychology major was recently awarded a national research award from the American Psychology-Law Society to help achieve his goals.</span></p><p><span>According to his mentor, psychology Professor <strong>Nesa Wasarhaley</strong>, the award is for the Access Path to Psychology and Law Experience Program, which provides financial support to students from groups currently underrepresented in the field of psychology and law.</span></p><p><span>As a first-generation student who identifies as Hispanic, Ray was an appropriate candidate to apply.</span></p><p><span>“Alex is motivated, high-achieving, and immensely passionate,” Wasarhaley said.</span></p><p><span>She encouraged him to apply for the award after mentoring him.</span></p><p><span>“He was doing everything he could think of to gain experiences that would bring him closer to achieving his career goals, but as a first-generation college student, he hadn’t received clear guidance in mapping out a cohesive path to graduate school in psychology.”</span></p><p><span>When he learned he was selected to receive the national research award, Alex was excited.</span></p><p><span>“I was so happy, I worked really hard on putting together the application. I wasn’t sure I would get it, so it’s been an amazing feeling,” he said.</span></p><p><span>Alex will put the funding toward his research, which examines hypothetical outcomes for defendants who opt to “affirm” versus “giving an oath” during testimony in court.&nbsp; This is often done because of religious reasons.</span></p><p><span>“There hasn’t been a lot of research done on this, but those who affirm tend to have less favorable outcomes,” Alex said. “For credibility purposes, I want to know if they are being viewed more or less favorably for verdict outcomes.”</span></p><p><span>Ultimately, Alex hopes the experience will help him in his quest to earn a PhD in psychology with the dream of becoming a forensic psychologist.</span></p><p><span>Aside from his research, Alex has also interned at Bridgewater State Hospital, where he completed a 50-hour training in the forensic population that included attending mental health seminars and observing the overall system.</span></p><p><span>He’s constantly seeking out opportunities to help him reach his goals and looks forward to seeing what new doors he can open.</span></p><p><span>“There are a lot of things I want to do,” Alex said. “But ultimately I want to advocate for change…to work as a designated forensic scientist and serve in public-sector roles where I can make a difference.”</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></div><div>&nbsp;</div></div></div></div></div></div><div>&nbsp;</div></div></div></div></div><p>&nbsp;</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div>&nbsp;</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div>&nbsp;</div></div><div><br>&nbsp;</div></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-37bafc1238e" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A man stands with his arms crossed and smiles" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/alex_ray_photo_.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--233461 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-233461"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Ultimately I want to advocate for change...to work as a designated forensic scientist and serve in public-sector roles where I can make a difference.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Alex Ray, '25 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 04 Jun 2024 13:48:55 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 252471 at Professing Her Gratitude /stories/2024/professing-her-gratitude <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Professing Her Gratitude</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/bbensonbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>BBENSON@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-05-15T15:40:26-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 15:40" class="datetime">Wed, 05/15/2024 - 15:40</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Recent graduate’s disability propels her toward career teaching, helping others</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-05-16T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">May 16, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Brian Benson, G'23 </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p><strong>Heléna Beeloo</strong>, ’24, came to Bridgewater State unsure if she would be successful, and for a good reason: her doctor told her she would not be able to physically handle a full course load.</p><p>But Heléna, who has a rare genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, was determined to succeed. And BSU provided a supportive atmosphere in which to take classes and conduct original research.</p><p>“For me, it’s really empowering,” said Heléna, a transfer student who graduated last weekend with a <a href="/department/physics-photonics-optical-engineering" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="698fa99f-3f96-44b5-96c2-9bcf1edd81de" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Department of Physics, Photonics and Optical Engineering">physics</a> degree. “Now I know I can do anything that I want to do. ... Bridgewater gave me hope.”</p><p>Growing up, Heléna was prone to injury, a trend initially dismissed as clumsiness. But the symptoms didn’t subside and a curious Heléna researched what was amiss. Studying her symptoms sparked an interest in biophysics that persisted at BSU.</p><p>Doctors eventually diagnosed her with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects many parts of her body. Her joints are very stretchy, putting her at risk of frequently dislocating her shoulders, hips and knees. She used a feeding tube for more than a year because she was unable to digest solid foods.</p><p>As a result, Heléna took a leave of absence from her first college and exceeded the time that institution allowed students to spend away from the classroom. Seeking a new university close to her Whitman home, Heléna turned to Bridgewater State, where her mom, <strong>Heather Bond-Beeloo</strong>, ’16, earned a math degree.</p><p>“It was a good thing because I love Bridgewater so much more,” Heléna said. “I feel supported.”</p><p>In the months leading up to her first class, Dr. <strong>Thaya Paramanathan</strong> welcomed her to meetings of his single-molecule biophysics lab. She made friends and felt at home as a Bear before completing her first assignment.</p><p>Working with lab partner <strong>Aaron Ferreira</strong>,’24, Heléna studied how the chemotherapy drug Mitoxantrone interacts with single molecules of DNA. They used optical tweezers (built by previous BSU undergraduates) that use finely focused lasers to trap and examine microscopic particles.</p><p>Heléna, who praised Aaron for taking on any tasks she couldn’t physically perform, hopes the research will assist doctors in determining the minimum effective dosage.</p><p>“Doing undergraduate research showed me that I do have a future in this field,” she said. “I do belong as a physicist.”</p><p>Paramanathan, an associate professor of physics, photonics and optical engineering, has no doubt that Heléna will continue to succeed. He’s impressed by her ability to teach her peers challenging material and her knowledge in physics as well as chemistry, biology and computer science.</p><p>“She’s one of the best students I’ve ever had,” Paramanathan said. “She’s capable of doing anything.”</p><p>Heléna<span> is pursuing opportunities to teach high school physics, and may consider graduate school in the future. </span>She hopes to become a college professor, a career aspiration shaped by Paramanathan and others she met at BSU.</p><p>“As a professor, I can continue to learn forever, which is thrilling,” she said. “I know what it’s like to have a mentor change your life, and I want to be that person for someone else.”</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-bb33b79f2be" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Helena works with optical tweezers in a lab alongside her professor." decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/helena3.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--233261 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-233261"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>“For me, it’s really empowering. Now I know I can do anything that I want to do. ... Bridgewater gave me hope.”</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heléna Beeloo, ’24 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 15 May 2024 19:40:26 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 252371 at Serenity, Wow! /stories/2024/serenity-wow <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Serenity, Wow! </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/hharrisbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>HHARRIS@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-05-15T13:29:24-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - 13:29" class="datetime">Wed, 05/15/2024 - 13:29</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Junior high- jumper’s time arrives with her earning All-American honors</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-05-21T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">May 21, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Heather Harris Michonski </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>What does it feel like when you set a goal for yourself, put in years of work focusing on that goal, and then it finally comes to fruition?</p><p>“It is very satisfying,” said 51Թ track &amp; field star <strong>Serenity Sands</strong>, ’25.</p><p>And she should know. This past March, Serenity, a high jumper for the BSU Women’s Indoor (and outdoor) Track &amp; Field team, tied three other competitors at the NCAA Division 3 Women’s Championships for the best jump of the day. The trio’s winning length, 5 feet, 8.5 inches, was, for Serenity, a new personal best.</p><p>After the tiebreaker process, Serenity placed fourth in the competition. Her strong showing helped her earn something else, something she’s been working toward throughout her collegiate athletic career: All-American honors.</p><p>“I knew going in that I wanted to be an All-American...I knew I had to stay really focused,” Serenity said. “It’s been exciting to see my years of hard work actualized and pay off.”</p><p>BSU assistant and jumps coach <strong>Samantha Richner</strong> works closely with Serenity and is not surprised at the student-athlete’s success.</p> <div class="align-right ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--image-280w field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-3fb74bcb80b" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A woman jumps over a bar during a high jump event" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/280w/public/media/images/serenity_sands_photo_2.jpeg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>“Serenity is determined to be successful in both academics and athletics. She is extremely self-motivated and organized her life to prioritize both,” Richner said. “I am confident she will find success as she moves forward on and off the track.”&nbsp;</p><p>Before coming to BSU to study psychology and compete in track, Serenity, an East Bridgewater native, took a gap year.&nbsp;</p><p>“Initially, I had committed somewhere else, but I grew up living close to Bridgewater State and always felt welcomed here, specifically with the track and field program,” she said.&nbsp;</p><p>In addition, she said the size of campus and personalized attention students get from professors makes going to Bridgewater a win.&nbsp;</p><p>“Competing here and attending school here has been very rewarding. There is such a personable feel. I’ve built close relationships with my teammates, and have been able to connect with my professors... If these are things you’re looking for in a school then Bridgewater is the right place,” Serenity said.&nbsp;</p><p>This spring, she will be competing on the BSU outdoor women’s track and field team with the goal to get back to the NCAA championships, to be held on Memorial Day weekend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.&nbsp;</p><p>“Through competing, I’m always learning I’m more capable than I ever thought. I set goals, and sometimes those goals might seem crazy, but if you believe in yourself and you work hard, you learn you’re capable of doing anything you want to do,” she said.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;<em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>&nbsp;</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-24842374d37" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="A young woman stands smiling holding an award" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/serenity_sands_photo_.jpeg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--233251 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-233251"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>If you believe in yourself and you work hard, you learn you’re capable of doing anything you want to do.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Serenity Sands, '25 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 15 May 2024 17:29:24 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 252366 at Purposeful Learning /stories/2024/purposeful-learning <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Purposeful Learning</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="/users/bbensonbridgewedu" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>BBENSON@bridgew.edu</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2024-05-03T11:31:22-04:00" title="Friday, May 3, 2024 - 11:31" class="datetime">Fri, 05/03/2024 - 11:31</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-short-description-v2 field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>Commencement speaker bounces back, now helps others</p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <time datetime="2024-05-09T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">May 9, 2024</time> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-article-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Brian Benson, G'23 </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>As she struggled with her mental health, <strong>Ilina Monteiro</strong>, ’24, questioned whether she would ever attend college, never mind one day represent her class as the student commencement speaker.</p><p>In high school, Ilina attempted suicide and accumulated so many absences that she barely graduated. College seemed impossible – until Bridgewater State welcomed her.</p><p>“Getting into BSU not only signified a new journey for me, but it also signified the beginning of a life I’ve always envisioned,” Ilina said. “It signified becoming a new me and having something to look forward to.”</p><p>This weekend, Ilina will address her classmates from the commencement stage just before receiving a bachelor’s degree in social work. The student speaker for the <a href="/academics/colleges-departments/college-humanities-social-sciences" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="4e7b41a4-05c6-4d5c-9a78-fe928ecd407c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="College of Humanities &amp; Social Sciences">College of Humanities and Social Sciences</a> ceremony, Ilina will share her story as a hopeful message of perseverance.</p><p>“I didn’t think I could make it to college, and here I am graduating,” she said. “You can do it.”</p><p>A native of Cabo Verde currently living in Taunton, Ilina immigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was 8 years old. She didn’t know a single word of English – not even how to say, “Hi.”</p><p>Ilina now speaks English fluently thanks to school lessons and watching children’s television shows (her favorites included <em>Curious George</em> and <em>Caillou</em>). At BSU, she minored in teaching English to speakers of other languages and taught youngsters English during a study tour to the Dominican Republic.</p><p>She also appreciates the compassionate support of social work professors such as Drs. <strong>Leslie Sattler</strong> and <strong>Jibril Solomon</strong>.</p><p>“They worked with me through my mental health journey,” Ilina said. “They were my rock. Every time I came into their classes, I felt supported.”</p><p>Solomon is impressed by her resilience. Even amid personal challenges, Ilina always had a plan to keep her academics on track, said Solomon, who taught her in several classes.</p><p>She brings a strong understanding of social and racial justice issues and a wealth of personal experience to her profession, he said.</p><p>“Being a social worker is not just a career for her,” Solomon said. “It’s her way of contributing to her community and being a difference maker.”</p><p>She’s already doing that through her job at the Old Colony YMCA’s Brockton branch. She supports and mentors children who are in the foster care system or facing their own mental health challenges.</p><p>Ilina will soon pursue a master’s degree in social work from Bridgewater. She hopes to one day bring mental health services to Cabo Verde, where she said people too often suffer in silence.</p><p>“BSU gave me a calling to help people who have been through similar struggles as I have,” she said. “BSU gave me a purpose.”</p><p><em>Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email </em><a href="mailto:stories@bridgew.edu"><em>stories@bridgew.edu</em></a><em>.</em></p> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-hide-featured field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> No </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="ckeditor-media-class"> <div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="blazy blazy--field blazy--field-media-image-9 blazy--field-media-image-9--image-max-470x470 field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items" data-blazy> <div class="field__item"> <div data-b-token="b-391bddf352d" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Lina Monteiro holds her colorful graduation cap, which she deocrated with a variety of designs" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/max_470x470/public/media/article_featured_image/monteiro.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-testimonial field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <section class="paragraph paragraph--type--testimonial paragraph---id--233026 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-233026"> <div class="media-wrapper"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <blockquote> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-body field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <p>BSU gave me a calling to help people who have been through similar struggles as I have. BSU gave me a purpose.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Ilina Monteiro, ’24 </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-inline field__items"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/class-2024" aria-label="Related stories tagged Class of 2024" hreflang="en">Class of 2024</a> </div> <div class="field__item"> <a href="/taxonomy/term/2766" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Spotlight" hreflang="en">Student Spotlight</a> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-credit field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Photo by Luis Pires, '24 </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 03 May 2024 15:31:22 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 252291 at