Student Spotlight / en Special Calling /stories/2025/special-calling <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Special Calling </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="2025-03-17T10:42:32-04:00" title="Monday, March 17, 2025 - 10:42" class="datetime">Mon, 03/17/2025 - 10:42</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 continues her journey toward a career 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="2025-03-18T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">March 18, 2025</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>Several years ago, <strong>Fiona Truss</strong>, ’28, and a friend had lunch with a group of special education students. It was during that shared meal Fiona discovered what she wanted to do with her life.&nbsp;</p><p>She was in the fifth grade.</p><p>“I started volunteering, working in clubs that were involved with neurodivergent communities and my passion just grew from there,” Fiona said.&nbsp;</p><p>That passion led her to Ƶ, where the Foxboro native is currently enrolled in the BSU Honors program majoring in special education with a concentration in severe disabilities.&nbsp;</p><p>“I knew entering college I wanted to study special education and when looking at schools, Bridgewater stood out. The education program here is amazing, especially the special education program. There are so many resources,” Fiona said.&nbsp;</p><p>Her goal is to eventually work at the elementary school level as a special education teacher.&nbsp;</p><p>“That’s my favorite age. Younger students are just entering school for the first time and gaining levels of independence. It’s fun and exciting for me to see and work in that environment,” Fiona said.&nbsp;</p><p>As a BSU undergraduate, she has continued to volunteer her time with various disability programs in her hometown and was recently recognized by the Foxboro Commission on Disability which honored her with the Above and Beyond Individual Award for the work she’s done.&nbsp;</p><p>“I know it’s cliché, but it was incredibly humbling to receive this award. I don’t expect that type of recognition. The work I do is something I care about,” Fiona said. “I care about inclusivity…so it’s meaningful to know I am being recognized for that. It helps with my goal of awareness.”</p><p>Fiona also received a citation from the state and Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxboro) at the award ceremony.</p><p>Outside of her academics at Bridgewater, Fiona is also president of the school’s American Sign Language Club and involved with the non-competitive BSU Dance Company.&nbsp;</p><p>She is happy with her decision to continue her education at BSU, from the support she receives from professors to the overall climate.&nbsp;</p><p>“I’m so happy with my decision to go to Bridgewater, especially the special education classes,” Fiona said. “It’s cool to get to learn something I’m passionate about and helps me achieve my future goals.”&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><p>&nbsp;</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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/fiona_truss_photo_.webp 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/fiona_truss_photo_.webp 705w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="470"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/fiona_truss_photo_.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/fiona_truss_photo_.jpg 705w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="470"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/fiona_truss_photo_.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/fiona_truss_photo_.jpg 705w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/fiona_truss_photo_.jpg" alt="A woman with blonde hair holds a glass award in her hands "> </picture> </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--287601 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-287601"> <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 knew entering college I wanted to study special education and when looking at schools, Bridgewater stood out. The education program here is amazing, especially the special education program. There are so many resources.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Fiona Truss, ’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 class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/special-education" aria-label="Related stories tagged Special Education" hreflang="en">Special Education</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 Carly McMahon, '24, G'26 </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 17 Mar 2025 14:42:32 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 254771 at San Francisco Escape /stories/2025/san-francisco-escape <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">San Francisco Escape</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="2025-03-03T10:23:28-05:00" title="Monday, March 3, 2025 - 10:23" class="datetime">Mon, 03/03/2025 - 10:23</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>Criminal justice majors present at national conference, visit Alcatraz</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="2025-03-04T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">March 4, 2025</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 creating a bucket list, it’s fair to assume that most people wouldn’t include exploring a pitch-black prison cell. However, for Ƶ criminal justice majors <strong>Kyle Robbins</strong>, ’25; <strong>Rachel DiMonda</strong>, ’22, G’25; and <strong>Julia Swirbalus</strong>, ’20, G’26, it was high on their list.&nbsp;</p><p>Last year, the three BSU students traveled to San Francisco to take part in the American Society of Criminology’s (ASC) conference. While there, they signed up and took a nighttime tour of Alcatraz Island, the site of an abandoned federal prison.&nbsp;</p><p>“There are many notorious prisons in America, but I don’t think there is one as infamous as Alcatraz. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Julia said.</p><p>For Robbins, learning more about the prison and its history was eye opening. Particularly the last part of the tour when they were brought down into the belly of the prison, where inmates were kept in solitary confinement.&nbsp;</p><p>“We were only standing there in the pitch-black room for about 30 seconds, but to know people were in there for days, or weeks, that they had to experience that? I definitely gained another perspective on the prison system, even in that short period of time,” Kyle said.&nbsp;</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-d3ed0245de9" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Three people stand in front of a large bridge" decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/280w/public/media/images/cj_students_san_francisco.jpg" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>During the trip, all three also presented at the ASC conference.</p><p>Rachel spoke about how art can be used as a healing tool within criminal justice, Kyle talked about youth, and the adversity that comes with exposure to social media, and Julia presented on institutional injustices, specifically the British military and suppression of the study regarding shellshock.</p><p>As for the conference itself, getting to meet experts in the field was inspiring.&nbsp;</p><p>“It was amazing to be around other criminologists. It was interesting to go and listen to other people present their research, go to panels, listen to different discussions,” Julia said. “You get to meet people that are in the field you are pursuing. It’s really cool to make those connections.”</p><p>Rachel said she was intimidated at first but soon found it to be a welcoming environment.&nbsp;</p><p>“Here I am, this little grad scholar, surrounded by people who have been in the field for years. But then you start to bounce ideas and gain input, and hear a lot of different perspectives,” she said. “It was a great way to network and talk to people in different fields.”</p><p>As an undergraduate, Kyle was even more nervous about what to expect but at the end of the event, he walked away feeling confident.&nbsp;</p><p>“Being able to get out there in the field, especially as an undergrad, to engage with others; I am grateful and appreciate the opportunity to present,” he said.</p><p>All three students were able to attend thanks to grants offered through BSU graduate and undergraduate programs.&nbsp;</p><p>These types of opportunities also help with exposure, Julia said, to show others that Bridgewater State offers quality programs and produces exceptional students who are doing solid work.&nbsp;</p><p>“We’re a public university and sometimes people discount us because of that,” she said. “I think it’s important for people to see what we are about. That we have amazing opportunities, wonderful professors, and mentors that guide us. I’m proud of that.”</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><p>&nbsp;</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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/cj_students_at_confernece.webp 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/cj_students_at_confernece.webp 705w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="529"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/cj_students_at_confernece.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/cj_students_at_confernece.jpg 705w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="529"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/cj_students_at_confernece.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/cj_students_at_confernece.jpg 705w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/cj_students_at_confernece.jpg" alt="Four people stand in front of a sign smiling "> </picture> </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--270846 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-270846"> <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>We’re a public university and sometimes people discount us because of that. I think it’s important for people to see what we are about. That we have amazing opportunities, wonderful professors, and mentors that guide us. I’m proud of that.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Julia Swirbalus, ’20, G’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/criminal-justice" aria-label="Related stories tagged Criminal Justice" hreflang="en">Criminal Justice</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:23:28 +0000 HHARRIS@bridgew.edu 254696 at Educational Awakening /stories/2025/educational-awakening <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Educational Awakening</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="2025-02-05T15:37:19-05:00" title="Wednesday, February 5, 2025 - 15:37" class="datetime">Wed, 02/05/2025 - 15:37</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>Busy student does not let narcolepsy slow her down</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="2025-02-06T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">February 6, 2025</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>When college students say they are exhausted, people might assume it’s from all that late-night studying. For <strong>Emma Pereira,</strong> ’28, feeling very tired is a symptom of a neurological disorder.&nbsp;</p><p>Emma has narcolepsy, which affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles and causes brief episodes of muscle weakness called cataplexy. While she worries people might perceive her as lazy, she’s found an understanding and supportive community of faculty, staff and peers at BSU.</p><p>“Bridgewater makes it easy to feel welcome,” said the first-year <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 from Middleboro. “I’ve changed so much as a person being here. … I’ve never felt alone, which is a lot of people’s fear.”</p><p>Narcolepsy causes people to go into a deep sleep such that it is harder to wake up. Paradoxically, the more they sleep, the more tired they become. They may also unwillingly fall asleep in public locations such as a classroom.</p><p>Emma knew something was wrong in high school when she often slept 13 hours a day yet was still exhausted. After doctor’s visits and a sleep study, Emma received a diagnosis during her senior year.</p><p>“It was like we finally got answers, but it also opened up a lot of questions,” she said.</p><p>That uncertainty included how Emma would adjust to college. But she realized she had nothing to fear at BSU after meeting with staff in <a href="/academics/academic-achievement/student-accessibility-services" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="14fcd4d7-0bde-4023-8c9c-6a31174033be" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Student Accessibility Services">Student Accessibility Services</a>. They showed a genuine interest in her as a person and talked about the ways they could help her have a successful college experience.</p><p>“Before they even asked for paperwork or legal things, they asked me about myself and navigating life with narcolepsy and cataplexy,” she said. “They were so happy to help, which was refreshing.”</p><p>Emma lives on campus, which she said makes it easier than back in high school to get to class if she oversleeps. Having fewer classes each day also helps, and professors are very understanding and accommodating if, for example, she is late to a class.</p><p>At BSU, Emma has made many friends who she said are completely accepting of her. If she naps after class, her roommate even makes sure to wake her up for dinner. She is a member of the Honors Program, plays on an intramural volleyball team, and attends Caribbean Ancestry Student Association events – all while making the fall dean’s list.</p><p>“I’m really thankful I was given the opportunity to do my best here,” she said. “I feel supported.”</p><p>Emma, who received the Jack &amp; Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship<em> </em>from the nonprofit Project Sleep, aims to become a professor. One day, she may even pay it forward by supporting other students who are diagnosed with narcolepsy.</p><p>“Absolutely, don’t be afraid your narcolepsy is going to get in the way of anything,” she said of her advice for others. “There’s so much we want to do.”</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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/emmapereira_0.webp 470w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="470" height="265"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/emmapereira_0.jpg 470w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="470" height="265"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/emmapereira_0.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/emmapereira_0.jpg" alt="Emma sits on a couch"> </picture> </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--240096 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-240096"> <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>Bridgewater makes it easy to feel welcome. I’ve changed so much as a person being here. … I’ve never felt alone, which is a lot of people’s fear.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Emma Pereira, ’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 class="field__item"> <a href="/tags/student-accessibility-services" aria-label="Related stories tagged Student Accessibility Services" hreflang="en">Student Accessibility Services</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> Wed, 05 Feb 2025 20:37:19 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 254451 at Music Calling /stories/2025/music-calling <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Music Calling</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="2024-12-31T09:21:03-05:00" title="Tuesday, December 31, 2024 - 09:21" class="datetime">Tue, 12/31/2024 - 09:21</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>Career-changing student pursues job as music teacher&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="2025-01-02T12:00:00Z" class="datetime">January 2, 2025</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>Returning to college as a 46-year-old, <strong>Stratos Bonos</strong>, ’26, worried how he would be received on campus. As it turned out, Stratos had nothing to fear at Bridgewater State.</p><p>“I truly felt a genuine welcome from everyone I encountered,” said the music education major from Grafton. “It’s very rare to find this type of culture and environment at other schools. It’s genuine here.”</p><p>Stratos started taking college classes right after high school but put his degree on hold for financial reasons. He then became heavily involved in retail work, rising to district manager during a 23-year career at TJX Companies. But he missed a passion for music that flourished while he was in high school.</p><p>Seeking a career change, Stratos is back in the classroom studying to become a music teacher, ideally focusing on high school chorus or elementary music. He hopes to provide a space where students feel a sense of belonging just as he experienced in high school choral classes.</p><p>Stratos felt at home at BSU from his first time on campus. Transfer Services Director <strong>Jeff Sarahs</strong>, '10, G'12, and Dr. <strong>Sarah McQuarrie</strong>, chairperson of the <a href="/department/music" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b55da513-2caa-4777-a8e4-ecdf4859abbd" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Department of Music">Department of Music</a>, were eager to meet him and helped him assimilate to Bridgewater.</p><p>When a severe car crash upended one semester, Stratos appreciated how accommodating his professors were about extending deadlines for assignments. It’s another example of the culture at Bridgewater that he finds so impressive.</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-384x227 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-04227abca67" class="media media--blazy media--image is-b-loading"><img alt="Stratos Bonos conducts a chorus." decoding="async" class="media__element b-lazy" loading="lazy" data-src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/384x227/public/media/images/stratos2_0.jpg?h=a6967b5f" src="/sites/bridgew/files/media/images/image-loading.gif"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>In class, McQuarrie emphasizes the real-world applications of course concepts. Learning at BSU has a purpose beyond passing an exam, said Stratos, who even conducted a chorus during BSU's recent Holiday Extravaganza.</p><p>“She also shows a lot of patience, which is something as a teacher that I want to exhibit,” he said. “It’s about the journey and recognizing those small successes. She role models that every day.”</p><p>Stratos has a dynamic personality and is a strong critical thinker who is unafraid to ask questions, McQuarrie said.</p><p>“Stratos is very well liked and well respected among his peers,” she said. “He blends right in with the other students. He does not have any sort of preconception that he’s older or wiser. He’s there to learn.”</p><p>Outside of the classroom, Stratos serves as a tour guide, where he ensures prospective students feel the positive atmosphere he experienced.</p><p>“It’s been everything,” he said of coming to BSU. “It’s what has sustained me. It's what is setting me up for the next chapter of my life.”</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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/stratos1.webp 470w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="470" height="265"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/stratos1.jpg 470w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="470" height="265"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/stratos1.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/stratos1.jpg" alt="Headshot of Stratos Bonos standing in front of landscaping."> </picture> </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--239266 scroll-reveal box1 paragraph--view-mode--default" aria-label="testimonial content id-239266"> <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 truly felt a genuine welcome from everyone I encountered. It’s very rare to find this type of culture and environment at other schools. It’s genuine here.</p> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="field field--name-field-title field--type-string field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Stratos Bonos, ’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/arts" aria-label="Related stories tagged Arts" hreflang="en">Arts</a> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-credit field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> Photos by Mackenzie Rubitschung, ’21, G’27, and Kendell French, ’25 </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 31 Dec 2024 14:21:03 +0000 BBENSON@bridgew.edu 254261 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>“Ƶ 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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/rose.webp 470w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="470" height="265"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/rose.jpg 470w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="470" height="265"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/rose.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/rose.jpg" alt="Headshot of Emily Rose in front of a white background."> </picture> </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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/sofie.webp 470w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="470" height="265"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/sofie.jpg 470w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="470" height="265"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/sofie.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/sofie.jpg" alt="Portrait photo of Sofie De Coste standing in front of trees and grass on a sunny day."> </picture> </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 Ƶ 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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/imani_cropped_photo__1.webp 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/imani_cropped_photo__1.webp 705w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="416"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/imani_cropped_photo__1.jpeg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/imani_cropped_photo__1.jpeg 705w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="416"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/imani_cropped_photo__1.jpeg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/imani_cropped_photo__1.jpeg 705w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/imani_cropped_photo__1.jpeg" alt="A woman smiles while standing in front of red and white balloons"> </picture> </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 Ƶ 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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/jolie_streeter_photo_for_story_.webp 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/jolie_streeter_photo_for_story_.webp 705w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="470"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/jolie_streeter_photo_for_story_.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/jolie_streeter_photo_for_story_.jpg 705w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="470"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/jolie_streeter_photo_for_story_.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/jolie_streeter_photo_for_story_.jpg 705w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/jolie_streeter_photo_for_story_.jpg" alt="Two women sit at a desk and talk to each other "> </picture> </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 Ƶ, 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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/summa_slater_cropped_photo_.webp 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/summa_slater_cropped_photo_.webp 705w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="460"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/summa_slater_cropped_photo_.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/summa_slater_cropped_photo_.jpg 705w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="460"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/summa_slater_cropped_photo_.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/summa_slater_cropped_photo_.jpg 705w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/summa_slater_cropped_photo_.jpg" alt="A woman stands smiling in front of a white building with black shutters "> </picture> </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 Ƶ 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="field field--name-field-media-image-9 field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <picture> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/alex_ray_photo_.webp 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/alex_ray_photo_.webp 705w" type="image/webp" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="470"> <source srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/alex_ray_photo_.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/alex_ray_photo_.jpg 705w" type="image/jpeg" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" width="705" height="470"> <img loading="lazy" srcset="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/alex_ray_photo_.jpg 470w, /sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_705/public/media/article_featured_image/alex_ray_photo_.jpg 705w" sizes="(max-width: 767px) 100vw, (min-width: 768px) 33vw" src="/sites/bridgew/files/styles/article_featured_image_max_470/public/media/article_featured_image/alex_ray_photo_.jpg" alt="A man stands with his arms crossed and smiles"> </picture> </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