Countdown to Commencement: Meet our Student Speakers

Shashawna Mae Santiago Amaral ’18
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

How have you strengthened as a leader during your time here? How will you apply those skills to your future endeavors?
I have strengthened as a leader by taking more responsibility for my actions, and always holding myself accountable for the things I did, both inside and outside of the classroom. Being a leader is more than a title; it is being a positive example for others. Strengthening my communication skills over my four years here at Bay Path has led me to some marvelous places. To my surprise, it has led me to the stage I will be graduating across where I was invited to read an original poem of my very own, for all of the folks in the audience. These strengthened skills will help me to communicate effectively within the workplace, work well with others, and ease my energy whenever I need to present to a board, or other group members. After presenting poetry to Bay Path University's board of trustees and at Commencement, I believe that I am prepared for anything else that arises in the future.

This year's University Theme explored CommUNITY: the places, spaces and ways we come together in our diversity and unique outlooks. What key lesson about the importance of "community" have you learned that you'd like to share with other students and graduates?
In my final semester at Bay Path, I took a communications course with Professor Janine Fondon, who truly opened my eyes to why communication is important. Communication is the glue that holds conversation, relationships, connections, and our community together. But, the most important lesson I have learned while playing an active leadership role on campus is that each and every student has their own sets of strengths and weaknesses. And that's okay! Not everyone is going to hold the same perspective. Not everyone is going to agree that is there is one way to do things. Others are open to sharing their interests with you, and you should be open to listening to what they have to say. You never know what could happen!

What was your most significant learning experience at Bay Path?
This past semester, I was a research assistant for Dr. Kathy Wiezbicki-Stevens in the Psychology department for a grant-funded research project titled "Intergenerational Connections." The purpose was to create connections across the spectrum of age. We assembled "memory boxes" to act as conversation starters, as the items inside acted strongly as talking points. Once we, the researchers, were assigned to local senior independent living facilities, we began initial introductions, and gathered consent and administered questionnaires we hoped to use before and after meeting with participants to assess if there was an increase in "quality of life" while visiting with college students. The boxes were, overall, effective, but for those few participants who did not enjoy them, we had question cards that asked direct questions linked to memories. For example, "Do you remember your first concert?" or, "Do you remember the first time you rode a bike?" I was grateful enough to make a friend through this, as that taught me that I'm able to create connections genuinely between myself and other individuals, regardless of age.

What advice do you have for incoming students?
The advice I would give to incoming students is to truly remember why you are here; to better yourself and to gain your higher education. Whatever that may look like, just make sure to stay on the right track. It is easy to become distracted by getting involved (which I recommend once proper time management has been established) with friends, or perhaps off-campus, romantic relationships. Take everything at a slow pace. It is always alright to feel however it is you may feel at any given moment, but the trick is to not overreact. Once you begin overthinking, things seemed to unravel into madness. At least that's what happened to me. So, stay focused on the studies. Also, it's okay to switch your major! Your advisors will always help you. I changed my major from forensic science to child psychology, and I am SO glad I did! I found my interest and passion through changing my major.

What are you most looking forward to once you graduate?
After graduation, I am looking forward to finally establishing myself in the professional world. As I plan to take a mental break between undergraduate and graduate school, I am excited to see where writing will continue to take me. I love to write poetry and spoken word style rhyme scheme, so I wonder if once I graduate, I will continue to pursue that outlet now that I may need to go find a new community or audience to present with my thoughts.

Any other thoughts you'd like to share?
I was able to find my best friend for life here at Bay Path University, in the midst of all the chaotic transitions during my first year here. She helped me move through boxes, bedrooms, inner conflicts, and academic setbacks—and I could not thank her enough. We stuck together, day in and day out, and remained each other's roommates from the start of our second year (2015) up until we moved out for the final semester (2018). I am so thrilled to have seen her mature alongside myself. We were supportive of each other, and so I ask many other folks to do the same with members inside and outside of the Bay Path commUNITY. Respect the folks you meet. As Dr. David Wallace said once in class, "you never truly know a person" - there is always something you don't know about them, including their hardships. So please, as he also says, "life happens"—yes, it sure does—but you also need to go out there and make life happen, because not everything is going to fall into your lap. There is hard work to be done along the way. Friends will find you, and you will find them amidst the means where you'll need a friend the most.