Stephen Nganga

How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their place on campus?
I got involved in campus life by joining clubs. At first, I didn’t have a strong sense of belonging or a “place,” but some of my friends were already involved in campus life, and they encouraged me to join as well. From there, I became more involved, started participating more actively, and eventually even took on leadership roles within some of the organizations.

My advice to people who haven’t found their “people/place” is to put yourself out there. Join a club, try something new, and get engaged, even if you are shy like I was. Speaking from experience, you will find your space. All the people in the many organizations at WSU are all welcoming and willing to help you come out of your shell so you can become the best version of yourself.

How do you think you’ve changed as a leader throughout your time at WSU, and what aspects of your experience most influenced this change?
I have changed as a leader throughout my time at WSU by growing from a shy, reserved person into someone more outspoken and confident. Through joining different organizations and connecting with new people, I’ve been able to step out of my shell and build the confidence to be able to speak up and lead. Also, being involved in not just one but multiple organizations has expanded my network and connections, and I feel like this exposure played a major role in shaping my growth as a leader.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned about leadership is that growth comes from making mistakes and learning from them, and it’s important to not be too hard on yourself.

What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU?
The best part of my experience at WSU has been the people that I have met and the connections I have made. I’ve built lifelong friendships that I will always truly value.

What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader, or the type of person, they hope to become?
Be open to making as many meaningful connections as you can. Peers and mentors can provide guidance, support your growth, and open doors to opportunities you might’ve imagined, helping shape the kind of leader you become.

What are your current plans for the next few years?
My plans for the next few years include continuing my education to earn a master’s degree in accounting. After completing my graduate studies, I plan to take the CPA exam and begin my career working as a Certified Public Accountant.

The post Student Spotlight | Stephen Nganga appeared first on Campus Life.

What advice would you give to your freshman-year self?

Abby St. Martin

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help—college is a learning experience, and no one expects you to have all the answers. Professors hold office hours for a reason, and they genuinely want to see students succeed, so don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek clarification on assignments. Academic advisors can help you navigate your course load and career goals, while tutors and study groups can make challenging subjects more manageable. Beyond academics, campus resources like counseling services, career centers, and student organizations exist to support your personal and professional growth. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a helpful strategy that will make your college experience smoother and more fulfilling.”

Aiden Bourdeau

“I’d say to put yourself out there more and to not be so afraid, because your people are out there waiting for you, you just haven’t found them yet.”

Alex Lucier

“If I could go back, I wouldn’t want to change much, but I’d remind my freshman-year self to make the most of every moment. College is rollercoaster, and if you aren’t present in every single moment, good or bad, it all slips out from under you and it’s over, just like that. The I-hope-this-night-never-ends moments with friends, the lonely moments working in silence, even the hardest moments spent doubting yourself are all equally important parts of this experience. If you’re spending each of them thinking about due dates, comparing to the past, anticipating the next event, or worrying about what you can’t control, then you are missing out. As the great Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.””

Aliza Solivan

“I would tell my freshman-year self that let time take it’s course, some things may not go your way and it might cause you to think about a different path in the future. Don’t get overwhelmed!!! It will get better, surround yourself with positive people and enjoy every moment with them. Be mindful that you can set so many expectations and goals but don’t get discouraged or worried if it doesn’t work out the way you want! It will always get better when you have positive people that support you!”

Becky Maher

“1. Get involved earlier! I waited until junior year to get involved on campus, and it completely changed my college experience. I was able to make lasting friendships, develop useful life skills, strengthen my resume, and create amazing memories.
2. Take advantage of all the opportunities you have on campus. Go to events, go on trips, explore campus, seek internships, participate in workshops, build relationships with your Professors and classmates. Once you get involved, opportunities will throw themselves at you. Make the absolute most out of your 4 years here.”

Cailin Joyce

“If I could go back to my freshman self I’d remind myself to treat myself more kindly and to recognize whether it’s being discussed or not, other students are impacted in similar ways. It’s up to you to make connections or find those that can help you make them. Getting involved is a primary way to do that. With that said, professors can be great role models and have a number one goal of helping their students. One on one time with them can mean more and be an asset to succeeding in college. It’s best to be upfront, put yourself out there, be honest and focused with what you want. Go after it! As someone once very shy, I flourished at WSU realizing not everyone needs to like me. I’m not some people’s bread and butter, and they aren’t always mine either. I’ve created lasting friendships even in these last few months attending WSU. Being brave, and talking to someone near you in class does not always need to be so abnormal. You find your people and you grow here.”

Daniel Hsu

“Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses. Instead of focusing on the goal, enjoy the journey.”

Elaine Asamoah

“Don’t be afraid to attend club events and meetings. These events are social hubs, and could also be an opportunity to network.”

Josh Gadway

“Get involved in student activities sooner rather than later. The friends you make will last a lifetime, and the experiences you gain will help you in the future.”

Kyram Pou

“One piece of advice I would give my freshman-year self is to take things one day at a time. Everyone comes into college with many unanswered questions: Will I fit in? How will I perform at this school? Will I be okay? I had these questions in the back of my mind since I kept thinking about the future rather than focusing on what was in front of me at that moment, and it caused me to not perform at my best. When I transferred to Worcester State, I had a completely new mindset of focusing on myself and what’s going on at that exact moment. This newly formed mindset opened so many doors, like being involved, having an on-campus job, and meeting so many amazing people who eventually became my cheerleaders throughout all my endeavors.”

Lily Morgan

“I would tell my freshman self to not be scared and go outside your comfort zone. I was terrified when I first started college, not knowing anyone else who went here. I thought that I would just sit in the back of the class and go home right after. I was scared of trying new things, so I did not do it my first year. I have since pushed myself outside my comfort zone and wish I started sooner. There are so many opportunities to jump on that you cannot do it if you don’t push yourself. Try new things, the worst thing that happens is that it doesn’t work out.”

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What advice would you give to your freshman-year self?

Emma Davis

Emma Polak

Hannah Rose

Kaitlin Schott

Kimberlly Matos

Lizbeth Alcantra-Ruiz

Ryanne McGowan

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Tanner Renaud

“One thing I would have told my freshman self is to get involved more in leadership opportunities and clubs. There’s so much more to a college experience than just showing up for classes, doing homework, and studying all the time.”

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Tien Nguyen

“You’ll never know until you try.”

Learn more about Tien here.

The post Congratulations to the Class of 2024! appeared first on Campus Life.

How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their place on campus?
I got involved in campus life by taking the initiative and showing up to events and club meetings and talking to the people there. I filled out club interest forms, tried different things, and talked to as many people as I could until I found things that I was both interested in and felt like I belonged. It takes equally as much effort on your end to find your group as it does for that group to include you, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!

Zach Trudell

How do you think you’ve changed as a leader throughout your time at WSU, and what aspects of your experience most influenced this change?
When I came to WSU, it was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and I, like many others, was getting too used to the shut-in lifestyle. I was definitely not a leader, nor was I particularly extroverted. Through joining clubs and organizations, volunteering and participating in different events, and taking on responsibilities, I found myself learning that I was capable of leading. I found that my style of leading was being particularly in tune with the wants and needs of those I lead. Many people want to be heard and feel like they belong, especially after years of little social contact and high stress. By lowering myself from the pedestal of some refined leader to someone who may be more personable and relatable, I found that I was able to better reach and communicate with those I lead.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned about leadership is that no one is perfect and that mistakes happen, but they are a learning experience and a chance to get better at what you do. Reflecting on mistakes may allow you to improve yourself and your leadership ability. As a leader, you should strive to do right by those you lead and those around you who look up to you. However, things will happen that will challenge you and cause you to perform poorly or make mistakes. But that is okay. Know that when you do your best and learn from everything, including mistakes, you can succeed.

What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU?
My best experience here at WSU has probably been either movie nights with friends in the residence halls, or the weekly Chess Club meetings.

What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader, or the type of person, they hope to become?
Take a leap of faith and try things that you might not normally do! Try volunteering, go to an event you are on the fence about, or even participate in OSILD’s Leadership Circle workshops. Self-reflection is key to figuring out how you lead or figuring out who you are and how you operate. Take time to think about how something made you feel or how you may have reacted. Look back on how you might have done something, and think about how it could have turned out differently had you done something else.

What are your current plans for the next few years?
I plan on focusing on career acquisition this academic year, as well as finishing my degree. I have always dreamt of working in environmental conservation/sciences, and I am hoping that I can find a career path that will give me opportunities to make the world a better place through doing what I love. As for this current year, I plan on building up the Worcester State Chess Club and hosting/co-sponsoring events, as well as participating in some interesting research in my field. Most of all, though, I hope to enjoy my last year in school as much as I can!

The post Student Spotlight | Zach Trudell appeared first on Campus Life.

SGA President Nicholas Holm

Class of 2024, History & Political Science
Hometown | Westford, MA
Campus Involvement | Student Senate, Worcester State Foundation Board, Conference and Event Services Office employee

Can you describe the role of the SGA President? What do they do for the student body?
The SGA President oversees the operations of the Student Senate, and coordinates with administration to advocate for student interests.

What are some of the goals you hope to accomplish while in this position?
Reintroduce reliable funding sources to enable special interest groups; re-establish relationships between the Worcester State SGA and other Worcester area college SGAs; establish more reliable lines of communication between the student body and university administration.

What do you foresee as some of the challenges you could face in this position?
Post-pandemic recruitment has been a challenge for all student organizations. Both recruiting new members for Senate and helping smaller organizations reach new members has been reoccurring challenge.

At the end of the year, looking back, what do you hope your fellow students remember about you?
I hope they remember me as the president who brought normalcy back to the SGA. This year is going to be the first year without any pandemic-related impediments, and I want to make sure that this year makes up for the ones people missed.

What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader or the type of person they hope to become?
Don’t be afraid to try things. I joined Senate because someone sitting at a table outside of the POD yelled at me to come vote. I wrote myself in, not even knowing what I was voting for. Sometimes not knowing what you’re getting yourself into is the best way to discover new things.

What are your current plans for the next few years?
I would like to live abroad for a bit. Last summer I went to Europe and really liked being there. 

The post Meet Nick Holm, SGA President appeared first on Campus Life.

What advice would you give to your freshman-year self?

Briana Chang

Brittany Cimaglia

Erica Hanlon

Caitlin Kincaid

Julia Sadowski

Haley Samara

Mikah Williams

Fall 2022 members of the Excel program enjoy a night at Bowlero.

The post Congratulations to the Class of 2023! appeared first on Campus Life.

How did you get involved in campus life? What advice would you give to students who haven’t yet found their place on campus?
COVID is a big reason for my involvement on campus. Online resources are what helped me to get to know my campus more! The more I learned about my campus, the more I realized about the opportunities it offers and that a student cannot only be studying but also be involved and develop their leadership skills as well as many others.

If I have to give advice to other students, I will say be open minded and always be willing to get out of your comfort zone. Surround yourself with people who will help you reach your goals and encourage you (family, friends, professors, campus resources, etc.)

How do you think you’ve changed as a leader throughout your time at WSU, and what aspects of your experience most influenced this change?
My leadership skills improved with time. As a leader, I learned how to be humble and listen to others (my co-workers). Being a leader is not just about giving orders and being on top of people, but showing the example and being that person others can rely on and trust. WSU taught me how to be responsible and helped develop my skills (communication, problem solving, leadership, etc.)

What is the biggest lesson you have learned when it comes to leadership?
One thing that I learned about leadership is that everyone can help you learn something new. As a leader, it’s not about me knowing everything but also being open minded and learning from others, being receptive to feedback and improving myself everyday. I learned that a good leader motivates others to be great and shows them the example to follow!

What would you say has been your best experience here at WSU?
My best experience was meeting great people who helped me become the person I am today. Being involved on campus (RA, PSA, OL, etc.) was the best decision I could have ever made in my life because today I have developed skills that I never thought I had, and feel ready to embrace the professional world.

What advice would you give to students who are just beginning to explore the type of leader, or the type of person, they hope to become?
I would say be yourself and don’t hesitate to step out and take a leap of faith. It may seem scary at first but once you’ve found the right people and get out of your comfort zone, be willing to give it a try, you’ll realize that it was worth it.

What are your current plans for the next few years?
My plans after graduating  are to work as a Data Analyst in order to develop my skills even more, and then go back to school for my masters degree in Data Science to become a Data Scientist. My dream is to be part of the Amazon data team. 

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