Shayna Thomas ’21
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Major: American Studies and Anthropology
Extracurricular Involvement: Imani Black Student Union President, Student Admissions Associate
Email: [email protected]
Why did you join the multicultural recruitment team?
What initially drew me to MRT was the people! Many MRT members were people that I admired, enjoyed, and respected. The more I learned about the work, the more I loved the idea of the job! Working in admissions, you get to meet people and become even a small part in their journey. I think back to how confused I was when I was doing my own college search, and I love being in a position where I get to help alleviate other’s confusion.
What is the biggest lesson you learned from your first semester on campus?
There were times my first year when life felt kind of out of my control, which maybe should have been expected with so many new experiences and people coming into my life all at once. I learned that while I can’t control every situation, I can control how I react, and as long as I was open, honest, and true to myself, everything was going to turn out perfectly fine.
How has a liberal arts education fostered your thinking? / What class impacted you the most?
I’m a firm believer in the idea that a strong education does not teach you what to think but rather how to think. A liberal arts education represents an understanding that life is a holistic experience where many different fields and disciplines interact with each other, and education should reflect that. Nothing exists in isolation. My experience in liberal arts teaches me to take a wide variety of factors into consideration when I think about things or navigate situations.
It’s a toss-up between two classes that had the most impact on me. One being “Race and Urban Space” taught by Professor Davarian Baldwin. This class taught me not to take anything at face value as there is intent behind every single decision that is made, even if that intent is not immediately apparent. The other class is “Body Politics”, a medical anthropology course that was taught by Professor Anne Kohler. This course taught me that even in science and medicine, there are social realities that have a strong discernible impact.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I want to leave a legacy where I was able to help create and be a part of spaces where people feel welcomed, supported, and heard. I’ve worked towards inclusion as a Promoting Respect for Inclusive Diversity in Education (P.R.I.D.E.) Leader. And through my role as President of Imani Black Student Union, I endeavor to organize events where people are able to come together and learn new things and share their time and experiences. All in all, I desire to leave a legacy where I have helped others to find the sense of community that I have found in Trinity.
How has the city of Hartford impacted your college experience?
Early on in my college journey I got rather homesick and it was nice to have Hartford around as in some ways it reminded me of home, Brooklyn. I think that the city is a wonderful extension of the campus insofar that just as there is something for everyone at Trinity, there’s also something for everyone in Hartford. It’s really great to have a campus located in the city because it makes anything that you could need so much more accessible, and if you even need a change of scenery it’s right there.
If you were a fruit what fruit would you be?
I would be a mango. I’ve got mangoes on the brain because my grandpa keeps on coming over to drop them off. I love how you’ve got to wait a bit, but once they’re ripe, they’re fantastic.
What does Trinity mean to you?
Trinity genuinely feels like a second home to me and that feeling grows more and more each year. I’ve always loved how it’s small enough that it’s easy to meet people and make connections, but big enough that I still feel like I’m meeting and seeing new people all the time. I feel so comfortable at Trinity and have so much love for a place where it feels like I’ve made memories in practically every corner. Trinity has given me amazing friends, professors, and mentors, and I’ve learned and grown so much during my time here thus far.
What areas of campus makes you feel at home?
The Underground Coffeehouse hands down, a true Trinity gem. It has the best vibes on campus—truly immaculate. It’s such a great spot to do class reading and the baristas are usually on aux! I don’t know if it’s a job requirement, but they all have really good music taste. I downloaded the Shazam app so I could look up the songs they were playing. The Underground Coffeehouse is all soft couches and low lighting and a great place to sink in and crank out a writing assignment as well. The drinks are amazing and so delicious! The staff is also wildly friendly. There’s just something stress free about the whole environment, like a bubble of calm. I also love Mather Dining Hall! Most of the time, eating at the long tables where I’ve sat for literally three years straight is like having a big family meal.
