
Wren Guzman ™23 (µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø/Matt Burkhartt)
Wren Guzman ™23, an art history major from the Bronx, NY, admits that the first thing that attracted them to µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø was its picturesque setting.Ìý
Ìý
œThe first thing that really caught my eye was the landscape,� says Guzman. œThe campus is absolutely beautiful.�Ìý
Ìý
A campus visit and the powerful sense of community Guzman sensed at the College helped to convince them to attend µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø.Ìý
Ìý
œI met a lot of students, interacted with people in dining halls and the academic buildings,� Guzman says. œI sat in on a class and more or less got a taste of what it was like to be there.�
Ìý
A great portion of that taste has been µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø™s diversity. Guzman has been an active member of the Latinx Student Association, Caribbean Student Association, , Outing Club, Pride Alliance, and other organizations. Guzman encourages students of color who come to µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø to join one or more cultural clubs because that is where they often feel the most welcome.
Ìý
œIt™s been great to be a part of these communities, experience different cultures, and get to know more about others, where they come from, what they™re passionate about, and just have fun coming together,� Guzman says.
Ìý
Guzman also got to experience different cultures during a Summer 2022 study abroad trip to Senegal organized by Kodjo Adabra, associate professor of Francophone studies, and Olaocha Nwadiuto Nwabara, associate professor of English, through the college™s Black studies program.Ìý
Ìý
œIt was a life-changing experience, one of the best trips of my life,� Guzman says. œI identify as an Afro-Latinx person, and I™m from the north of the Dominican Republic, where we have strong ties to our African ancestry and culture. For me, it was super important to get a taste of the authentic culture that we were robbed of because of colonization.�
Ìý
Guzman also relishes the opportunities they had to meet and interact with µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø alumni.Ìý
Ìý
œIf you know someone from µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø, chances are you will most likely get a job after graduating just because of that networking, that connection within that community,� they say. œI was like, okay, I™m sold, because I love networking, and it™s nice to have a network that™s professional and also personal.�
Ìý
As graduation nears, Guzman remains enthusiastic about their decision to attend µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø and grateful for the breadth of their experience.
Ìý
œAt µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø, you™re really able to be yourself and express yourself the way that you want to without fear of judgment,� Guzman says. œIt™s a great place, I felt at home. It™s been a great four years, and I™m very happy that I chose to come to µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø.�
”Gary Frank