Shayla Watkins '22
What are you going to miss the most about W&J?
I will miss the sense of community the most. As a small liberal arts college, you are given the opportunity to build meaningful relationships both within and outside of the classroom setting. I value the intimacy that this school provides and the opportunities that you are given to build life-long friendships, as well as professional connections.
What inspired you to stay at W&J when things got tough?
What has kept me both engaged and motivated to continue my time with W&J has been the support and perseverance of my professors. I commend their ability to adapt to circumstances that have substantially shifted the college's expectations for both academic and personal progress. Having the opportunity to study under such a exceptional group of professors served as a huge incentive to continue my degree at W&J.
What are you most proud of doing while at W&J?
I would have to say that I am most proud of my time as a Vira I. Heinz Foundation Woman in Global Leadership. W&J gave me access to this wonderful program during my sophomore year at the college. Because of the global pandemic, I was unable to complete an in-person program with my award. However, I was given the opportunity to work as a virtual intern with the Institute for Global Dialogue, a South African non-governmental think tank. Here I was given the privilege to study the history of the African National Congress, explore cutting-edge research concerning future national and international development goals, and conduct a research analysis concerning how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted South Africa's diplomatic relations with Cuba.
What are you going to miss the most about W&J?
I will miss the sense of community the most. As a small liberal arts college, you are given the opportunity to build meaningful relationships both within and outside of the classroom setting. I value the intimacy that this school provides and the opportunities that you are given to build life-long friendships, as well as professional connections. I know that when I graduate, I will not only have the chance to take and apply what I have learned from this community, but also will always welcomed back with open arms.
What advice would you give to incoming or prospective students?
Take advantage of your resources! The beauty of a liberal arts degree lies in its ability to diversify your education. Regardless of if you know exactly what you want to study/do after school or if you have no idea, take the classes that interest you most. You will be surprised by the applicability of an interdisciplinary approach in your other courses, your professional opportunities, and most importantly your personal development. You may even surprise yourself and find your passion, as W&J has allowed for me.