My name is Janelle and I am concentrating in Sociology and Ethnic Studies (concentrating is our special Brunonian word for majoring!). I am originally from New England and apart of the Puerto Rican diaspora. I really love Brown for the way that it fosters community among people from so many different backgrounds and am always looking to continue cultivating that!

Hometown

Springfield, Massachusetts, United States

Major(s)

Sociology, Ethnic Studies

Minor(s)

Urban Studies, which I received in my study abroad semester!

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice: Work-Study Communications Coordinator BWell Health Promotion: Wellness Peer Educator Meiklejohn Program: Leader and Peer Mentor Boricuas at Brown: Social Media Coordinator, Events Coordinator, Co-President Brown Salsa Club: Communications Co-Chair, Community Outreach Co-Chair La Alianza, Latinx Pre-Law Association: Member Latinas at Brown: Member Students of Caribbean Ancestry at Brown: Member Latinx Student Union: Member Hawai'i at Brown: Attendee

Describe your college experience

My transition to college was far from easy, but throughout my time at Brown I've created a home away from home. Each semester I connect with new people. Whether they are undergrad students, grad students, professors, or staff, these familiar faces and friends have made the learning experience so much more rewarding. I've also worked in plenty of student-run spaces to make Brown's endless amount of resources accessible and inclusive for all students.

Tip for future students

The transition to college is overwhelming for any student regardless of the type of course load you register for. So, my best advice would be to savor the novelty of it all while simultaneously keeping in mind that you have more than enough time to find your footing. You may not make the right friends right away, or happen upon the major you'll eventually declare, but that is exactly how it should be. Growth takes time, and you won't enjoy undergrad if you're too in a rush to perfect it. Enjoy the journey.

Favorite class

Though I can't pick just one, a class I took titled Writing Latinx Lives focused on memoirs written by Latinx authors. It's become one of my favorites because I learned to critically analyze the choices each author took in constructing narratives around the aspects of their lives that they remembered and more importantly, found worthy of sharing with their readers. With this, I learned to see beyond the relatability and cultural similarities of our experiences. The professor made the class fun and my peers made it feel like a book club where we all shared our thoughts! The best part is, we also learned to write memoiristic essays about our own lives! This touched me on a personal level and helped me become more confident in my writing ability.

Career goals

Post-grad I hope to attend a J.D.-P.h.D. joint degree program! I've always been passionate about pursuing a career in law, but my love for higher education and research has grown in my undergraduate years, so why not pursue both?

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal way to spend a free night is to get something to eat with friends, typically at our late night dining option, catch up, watch a movie, and find some live music (which there is plenty of in Providence and on-campus!).

High school or secondary school

The MacDuffie School, Granby, MA, United States