Where is your hometown?
I live in Northborough, MA.
Why did you want to become the new Woman on Campus?
I wanted to become the new Woman on Campus to share the variety of experiences on the Simmons campus. I really believe that Simmons provides the resources and support necessary to make your college experience unique to your needs and dreams. I think it’s amazing Simmons created a platform to highlight these stories, and I’m grateful I can do my part in sharing them with prospective students and families.
Who is your favorite professor?
That’s a tough question. I’ve had the ability to forge personal relationships with professors both in and out of class. They’ve all taught me something new about myself/the world around me.
However, if I had to choose, it would be Professor Grossman. She is the head of the Honors program and taught my first Simmons class. Besides being around my height (shoutout to the under 5 feet squad), she always makes time to support my questions about choosing a major, picking classes and more. I couldn’t have done my first year without her.
What's been your favorite course so far?
A leadership class I got to take with Dr. Becky Thompson. The course was very different than your typical lecture: there was space for yoga, meditation, and conversations about the intersection of mindfulness and activism. We also were able to question who we define as a leader and why. She created an open community to foster dynamic conversations that I still recall as I navigate the present moment.
Where is your favorite spot on campus?
I love spending time in the study rooms in Beatley Library. The windows overlooking the quad make the space bright, and I love playing music to really focus on my work. My brain is unnecessarily picky when choosing a spot to work, and I've always found the study rooms to be a quiet escape when I needed it.
What's your go-to activity for self-care?
Does looking at memes count? Self-care during a pandemic takes double the amount of energy for me. Still, I try to listen to my body’s needs and meet them the best I can. I like taking walks, baking, singing, dancing, and writing.
What have you been up to this summer?
It’s definitely been a weird summer. In between napping and cooking, I’ve been teaching a student in Greece over Zoom. We were connected through my sociology professor, and I’ve been collaborating with my friends to teach her English, math, history, geography, and more.
What have you been binge-watching and reading lately?
I just finished watching Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix. I can’t believe it existed for so many years, and I only just discovered it. I also love baking, so I really like the show Sugar Rush on Netflix as well.
In terms of books, I suggest The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery and Educated by Tara Westover — both of which were introduced to me through Simmons.
Who have you been following lately?
I’ve enjoyed following Your Fat Friend’s blog this summer. It's written anonymously, and their posts always make me think about my relationship to my body differently.
For Instagram accounts, I love the content of @sonyareneetaylor, @bunnymichael, and @soolooka.