We asked some of the brightest folks from within the community to reflect back on their days in school and to share with us a story of when they learned a particularly important or impactful lesson. We’ve shared highlights below.

Aliya Cannon

One of the most important lessons I learned in my time as a undergraduate student at Northern Kentucky University pertained to the importance of beginning your mental health journey! Often times specifically in minoritized communities we are taught to cope through mechanisms non related to the mental health profession. It wasn’t until my Junior year in college that I attended therapy for the first time, due to services being free. I went against the grain by doing something that wasn’t considered normal. Through these past two years in my journey I have navigated trials & tribulations, became more self aware, & have gained the resources and tools to work through and communicate my emotions. These may seem like small skills, but they are powerful skills that many people dont have the opportunity to encounter and cultivate until they step into post secondary education due to systematic oppression and socialization. Read more>>

Hannah Coates

One of my most important experiences in college was my very first critique for a design class. It was an intro level 2D design course, and prior to this class I had no experience in what the critique process would be like. I remember thinking that a critique meant my professor would tell me everything they hated about my project, but I soon learned it would be a constructive experience that would improve my work significantly. I used to have a very hard time taking any form of criticism towards my work, but in this field its necessary to be able to take critique so that you can create exactly what it is your clients have hired you for. It still is difficult at times to not get a bit discouraged, but I don’t think I would view critique as such an essential part of my creative process if it weren’t for all the critiques I’ve done in my college design classes. Read more>>

Trenise Ferreira

I went to the University of Southern California for undergrad, and like many of my fellow alumni, I am a VERY proud Trojan! In addition to a great college experience — both educationally and socially — the professors in the Trojan family set me up for success after college by instilling in me a very important lesson during my freshman year in 2008. I had a broadcast journalism professor who worked in the entertainment industry, and, after telling us a story about how he won his first daytime Emmy, he said something I will never forget: “It’s important to hone your craft and be willing to put in the work, but in this industry, opportunity isn’t always based on merit. It’s not what you know or who you know, it’s who knows you.” Read more>>