Nicole Porter '08
Since my sophomore year, I've been chair of UMOJA, the College's African/African American Student Organization. It's been a great way for me to help provide a comfortable and encouraging environment for students of color.
We've seen great growth in membership and in interest on campus and receive increasing support from the campus administration. It really shows that the College community cares about the issues that are important to students of color.
As a psychology-based human relations major and a scholar in the College's Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy, I'm looking forward to attending graduate school one day and may pursue a law degree. For now, though, I'm concentrating on finding a job and mentoring UMOJA's younger student members. I tell them: "Use your resources and let people know who you are and what you are about."
Recently I was surprised and very honored to be chosen as one of the first winners of the College's Martin Luther King Service Award for my role in student leadership and volunteerism.
It has taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. As the only child of a single mother, I give a lot of credit to my family. My mother taught me about the importance of a good education at an early age, and she has sacrificed so much for me to get here.
The first year at Connecticut College wasn't always easy as I adjusted to a heavy course load. But I got so much support from staff, faculty and other students at the College my freshman year, it really reaffirmed that I was in a good place. I'm glad I can return that favor now by offering support to others who are following in my footsteps.