Shayna Thomas

Brooklyn, New York
Poly Prep Country Day School
[email protected]

Major/Minor:
American Studies and Anthropology
Why You Chose Trinity:
I didn’t really know what I wanted out of my college experience when I was initially applying to schools and Trinity felt like a place where I would really be able to explore all of my options and figure out what worked best for me. When it was crunch time for making a decision I visited Trinity for a second time and I fell in love with it. It had such an amazing lively energy and it was spring so everything was blooming and beautiful and I could really see myself there. Its so strange to think back on that time and now be able to contextualize everything that I saw with the knowledge I have after these years. I thought campus was so so big then and now I know it like the back of my hand. Furthermore, it ended up being a perfect mix of close enough to home that I could see my family easily and often, but it was still far enough away that I felt like I had struck out on my own.
Favorite Class:
It’s a toss up between two classes that I really loved. 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 visiting Professor Anne Kohler. This course taught me that even in science, in medicine, there are social realities that have a strong discernible impact.

Favorite Professor:
Professor Karen Li Miller. I took Change of Clothes with her in fall 2019. Professor Miller is so fun and has such great energy and you could that she was genuinely interested in the subject matter, which is my favorite thing to see in a professor.
Extracurricular Activities:
In addition to being an SAA I’ve also been a Multicultural Recruitment Team intern in the Admissions Office since my first year. From my first year up until my senior year I was also a Tour Guide. I was also a Promoting Respecting for Inclusive Diversity in Education (P.R.I.D.E) Leader for two years. I’m currently the president of the Imani Black Student Union, a club I’ve also been a member of since my first year. Through Imani, I’m also involved in the Multicultural Affairs Council and the Umoja Coalition.
What you love most about Trinity:
What I love most about Trinity is that, in my experience, its easy to meet people and make connections and that for your entire for years you can continue to meet new people and make new connections. I think that people are friendly here, I love that its near impossible to walk across the Long Walk without seeing people that I know. From the professors to the maintenance and the Mather staff and to the administration, I think that everyone is willing to have a conversation.
Your Professional Goals/Career Plans:
I’m thinking about further pursuing a career in Admissions after I graduate from Trinity. After working in the office for the past three years I’ve found that it’s an environment that I really enjoy. I love getting to meet students and families and become a part of their college experiences, and I want to continue to be in a space where I can make connections as I move forward professionally.
Favorite Place on Campus:
The Underground Coffeehouse hands down. It has the best vibes on campus, truly immaculate. It’s such great spot to do class reading, the baristas are usually on aux and 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. Its 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.
Favorite Place in Hartford:
I think my favorite place in Hartford would have to be either the Wadsworth Atheneum of Bushnell Park. The Wadsworth is beautiful and always has great exhibits and I never have enough time to see the whole thing. I love trees, so I like the park. Last summer I went to the Puerto Rican Day Parade there and it was wonderful just seeing it so full of life.
What’s the most impactful/favorite book you’ve ever read?
One of my favorite books that I’ve ever read in The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I think it’s a wonderful story about growing up and coming to terms with hard truths. I also deeply love the language and the way that the author tells the story. I feel like there’s something in it for everyone who can remember being young and trying to find their place.
What advice do you have for prospective students applying to college?
To be more open during the whole process. When I initially started the college search I was so overwhelmed by how many different options and choices that there all were that I think I took comfort and just attaching myself to one potential plan, and when that didn’t pan out I felt really unmoored by that. And I got a bit into the bad habit of focusing on negatives instead of focusing on the positives, which made me write off options. I would tell myself to be more focused on seeing myself in places that I maybe wouldn’t initially picture myself in.
What’s one thing you wish you knew before coming to college?
I wish I had a more clear vision for what I wanted my college experience to look like, as that would have made it easier for me to make informed choices. When I was in the midst of my college search, everything felt so pressing that sometimes I was making decisions without fully thinking through because I didn’t feel like I had any time. Of course, there is a silver lining to that, as I feel that my indecision is part of what led me to Trinity, where I was able to create a college experience that I loved.