SHADES
Presented by Living In Color
Meet the Cast: Jahasia Cooper • • • •
President of Living in Color Vice President of Umoja Major: International Cultures Minor: Communication Studies
Brandon Jackson • • • •
Vice President of Living in Color Treasurer of Prodigy Major: Political Science Minor: Social Media
Antonio Oliveri • • • • •
Talent/Creative Director of Living in Color SCIIE Representative for Class of 2019 Community Court Representative for Class of 2019 Major: English: Creative Writing Minor: Political Science
Kat Puello
• Photographer
Ashida Cooper Class Year: Senior Major: Business
• The decision to come to Wells College after two years wasn’t a difficult one. Being in the big city of Philadelphia was great and always exciting but a change of scenery and atmosphere was what I wanted. I was born in Logan Town, Liberia in 1995. I moved to the States when I was five years old due to the war that had struck my home country. After moving to America with my family I quickly adapted to the lifestyle changes and was able to find activities that I was both talented at and enjoyed doing very early on. These activities include athletics mainly basketball which, I began playing at the age of nine. I have been playing basketball every single year since for a multitude of different teams. After Arriving at Wells It was clear that I was going to continue playing and was able to immediately make an impact on the team and help lead us to a record winning season. In my two years of collegiate basketball here I was named to NEAC first team selection both years. In my final season at Wells (2016- 2017) I was able to reach a career milestone in scoring my 1000th point in our very own Schwartz Center on February 17, 2017 becoming only the Third player in Wells history to do so. Some other accomplishments of my last season at Wells include scoring school-record 40-point performance Nov. 30 at Cazenovia, ranking in the top-15 in the conference in rebounds per game, assists per game, and steals per game, and being named to d3hoops.com first team selection. I was able to cap my season by being named as an all-region selection voted to the East Region Second Team in a vote of communications professionals and media members. My time off the court at Wells was mostly spent in the Sullivan Business Center where most of my classes for my business major took place. Here I was able to participate in two business internships. One being on the management team of the student ran café known as The Grind and another grant writing internship to help start funds to improve and make some on campus programs more sustainable. I have enjoyed my time at Wells College and am very grateful for the opportunity to play the sport I love on a collegiate level and be able to continue my education at this prestigious and unique institution. Go Express!
Noa Tia Class Year: Junior Major: Psychology Minor: Anthropology, Spanish, & Adolescent Education
❧ What brought me to Wells was my desire to change. I’m from a big city in California (San Jose) and wanted to challenge myself as well as find myself. I’m most involved in Dance Collective as well as Evenline because they offered me the opportunity to perform and show my heart to the Wells community. I also enjoyed performing in the Drag Show and Rocky Horror Picture Show. Drag is a transformative art that allows me to entertain and create new characters. Wells has really helped me to understand myself as a multi-ethnic, queer-identifying person of color. As one of the few Polynesians on this campus, I have made it my personal duty to expose the Wells community to different elements of Polynesian culture, primarily with dance. I try to bring our traditional dances with my peer towards the Wells community as a way to add on to the diverse community and experience for everyone here.
Erin Vallely Class Year: Senior Major: Sociology/Anthropology Minor: Spanish
U At the end of my junior year of high school I received the Henry Wells Leadership Scholar award at my high school’s annual awards. We had driven by many times but I knew it was small and, at the time, I was not interested in another small community. Despite my prejudice, we visited and I immediately liked it. Although it’s not the most wheelchair friendly campus, I quickly saw that I could make it work. The more colleges I visited, the more I knew Wells was where I belonged. While there are some hard days, I have never regretted my decision to make Wells my home. At the end of my first year I inherited Access for All Abilities from two graduating seniors, Rachel Partington and James Hawkins Howard. Our club works to spread awareness about all types of disability culture and further educate the Wells community to promote equal opportunities and improved accessibility for all students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. We advocate for improvements around campus and work to educate the community on disability. In addition to my position as president of Access for All Abilities, I have also been treasurer of United Way and Spanish Club and a member of Sexuality and Gender Activists and Student Committee for Inclusion and Intercultural Excellence. I was also active on the student committee that advocated for the reinstitution of the position of Director of Campus Life for Diversity and Inclusion. Being the first, and only, residential student who uses a wheelchair, I hope my presence and advocacy has contributed to the Wells community in various ways. I have raised issues of accessibility and safety that previously had gone largely unnoticed. I hope I have opened conversations that will continue after I graduate. I am optimistic that the people I have encountered will see disability differently than before. Disability is the only minority that anyone can become a member of at any time. After graduating this May with my Sociology/ Anthropology major and Spanish minor I plan to work in disability advocacy to further educate people and work to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Odeth Morales Class Year: Junior Major: Psychology Minor: Business
ď ž I decided to come Wells because I wanted a change in environment. I come from New York City and wanted to come to a place where I can have room to grow and explore new opportunities. I wanted to gain different experiences and expose myself to an atmosphere I was not familiar with. I also loved the idea that Wells was a small campus. I felt like small locations allows for strong relationships to be built which has been instrumental to my success as a student prior to Wells. I am co-founder and co-president of a club called Querencia which strives to give students a home away from home at Wells College. We pride ourselves in building a community through grass-root activism in which we create platforms for the Latinx and Caribbean community to uplift, empower, and feel at one with themselves in their culture and identity. We educate the campus on issues that our community face and work collaboratively to work on making significant changes. Me as a strong Latinx woman plays a large role in what I contribute to Wells. I care a lot about keeping cultural communities together and empowered. I find myself trying to be active on campus anyway that I can. It keeps me to keep finding ways to make Wells a more comfortable and fun place to be for people of color. I always try to find ways in which the POC community can express their voices and have them heard. My strong belief in my culture and identity keeps me motivated to be more open-minded and learn from all perspectives we have here on campus.
Aala Al-Hashimi Major: Economics Minor: Management
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I am an Economics and Management Major at Wells. I TA for Economics and Calculus and I am also on the Wells Tennis Team. Joining Wells has been one of most non-planned and random decisions that I made in my life. In trying to pursue a bachelor’s degree, I searched for a number of universities but fate had it destined here at the shores of the Cayuga Lake. I learned about Wells from a Wells Alum and then I did my own research. First thing, before coming, it was the beautiful campus and the magnificent view of the college that made me want to go for Wells. I loved the fact that it is a small campus and I heard about the community life here so I imagined my transition into a life away from home would be smoother here at Wells. Coming from a totally different continent, from the way I dress to the way I speak, to the ideas that I hold, I have been a point of attention to almost any student here at Wells. I have had to answer a hoard of questions during my two years here. Most often, I have had to explain variant perspectives regarding crucial issues like politics, religion and sometimes even day-to-day matters. At times, I have been a little startled at the lack of informed judgements that are made about certain matters but overall, it has been a nice cultural exchange. The hills of Aurora and the body of the Cayuga Lake make an out of world space where I have been able to connect with my introvert self and my floundering imaginations seem to have found their haven. I grew up in nature and that is where I have made most of my fond childhood memories. Coming to Wells, I felt like I reconnected with my childhood and once again delve into the vast world of my endless imaginations. I took this opportunity, not only to pursue my degree but also feed my passion for art. I started doing pottery and I feel like this is the beginning of an amazing journey for me.
Kim Brighon Class Year: Senior Major: Studio Art Minor: Graphic Design
I was brought to Wells primarily by the scholarship that I was given at first, but then I got to the campus and immediately felt like I made the right choice. The scenery, the community, the vibes of the college in general. It felt completely right. I was a part of the Men’s Oddline team for my first two years on campus as well as a coach for the team my last two years here on campus. I am also a member of Henry’s VIII’s, Burlesque, and an honorary member of the Whirligigs. As for my cultural identity, I am an African-American male who grew up in the country, becoming extremely familiar with not only my own race, but also many other racial backgrounds and perspectives once I was given the opportunity to come to Wells.
Mumu Davila Class Year: Sophomore Major: Political Science Minor: Dance
Hey, I’m your friendly neighborhood Resident Advisor, Mumu Davila! I’m from the South Bronx and I’m currently a 2nd year here at Wells College. I’m pursuing a major in Political Science with a minor in Dance. I’m the Co-Founder and Co-President of the poppin’ Latinx heritage club Querencia. I’m also the Oddline song leader and a former member of both Prodigy and Umoja. I try my hardest to be a resource to those who need it.
Chandler Smith Class Year: Junior Major: Philosophy Minor: Women & Gender Studies, German, & Religious Studies
✍ I came to Wells from Tennessee thinking I wanted to be a playwright--maybe I still do? But I somehow got caught in the crossroads of Philosophy instead, and have wound up studying theory and discourse. I have been president of German Club for the past two years and I’ve been involved in groups like the Wells College Dems, Political Activism at Wells, and our queer organizations. Being the Chair of Publications Board has been one of my favorite projects at Wells; I’m obsessed with the process of publication and distribution and have been working to revitalize our current publications and add new ones. Now, I’ve been elected to serve at VP of Collegiate next year and I’m ready to push for what I see as desperately-needed institutional change at Wells through that role. I find it difficult to navigate campus as a queer and gender variant person. Through my work and identity, I am trying to make the need for queer student resources on campus more visible. In doing so, I am trying to cultivate an active culture of doing at Wells. As Audre Lorde says, “There are many silences to be broken,” and I hope to bring this forward in all my work here.
Kat Puello Class Year: Junior Major: Psychology Minor: Graphic Design
One of the things that I was looking for when applying to college was a small environment that would feel like home. Wells happens to have a beautiful campus and small environment where I have been able to develop a close relationship with my professors and friends. At this point in my college career, I’m not really involved in a lot of clubs because I’m focusing on enjoying the rest of my Junior year without stressing over extracurricular activities and getting ready for my Senior year. When I first arrived at Wells, it wasn’t as diverse as it is now. I could identify with anyone, but after three years of been here, I can gladly say that Wells has definitely grown in diversity. My first year here, it was a little bit hard because it was the first time being away from home. I didn’t really talk to many people except those I saw frequently on a daily basis. I knew that I wasn’t comfortable with being so close to myself, so I decided to get more involved and get out of my comfort zone. I become an Orientation Leader for my Sophomore year and I have to say that it was the best decision that I could have ever made. I became more comfortable and found myself enjoying my time here and being the Wells student that I wanted to be. After that, I joined Evenline, which was the highlight of my sophomore year. I really loved having that love and support from your sister class and doing something together that brings you closer to your environment that has a lot of traditions.
Mackenzie Porter Class Year: Sophomore Major: Psychology Minor: Spanish & Dance
s My name is Mackenzie Porter. I grew up in Edmeston, a rural upstate NY town where cows probably outnumber people. I was a third generation student at Edmeston Central School, a K-12 public school situated half a mile from my home. I graduated from a close-knit class of 35 people, most of whom I’d known since Kindergarten. Small town living was sweet, but slow. My days were calculated and predictable, involving interactions with the same people in the same places every day. As I got older, I realized that I needed to uproot myself in order to grow. With a desire to educate myself and find adventure, I applied to Wells. I liked the idea of becoming a Wells Woman; of learning and building community in a strange and beautiful place. I believe that I have done just that. I am currently a sophomore at Wells studying psychology, Spanish, and dance. I work for residence life as a Resident Advisor, helping maintain healthy and safe living spaces for my peers. I am an Oddline Coach, carrying on a long-standing tradition of sisterhood. I am involved in the Women’s Resource Center, the Body Monologues, SAGA, and various other clubs. I also participate in Dance Collective, Faculty Dance Concerts, and assist with stage management in theater productions. I am grateful to participate in all of these activities and opportunities at Wells. I am a huge proponent of activism, and through being involved in the Wells community I am becoming the activist I dreamed of being. In the future I would like to take what I am learning here and carry it back to Edmeston and other rural areas.
Rich Ross Class Year: Sophomore Major: Business with a concentration in Management Minor: Sports Management
➼ My name is Rich Ross and I am currently a sophomore enrolled at Wells College. I am a Business major with a concentration in Management, also a Sports Management minor. Some of the stuff I do I at Wells is I work for Admissions as a Tour Guide, I’m a Men’s Basketball representative for the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, I’m a member of the Men’s Basketball team and an intern for our Athletic Director Mike Lindberg. One reason I chose Wells was the family environment, it’s a small school so I wanted to feel at home and not be at a big university and just be another student on the campus. I wanted to make an impact. Being a young Black man on this campus I’m held to a different standard. It’s hard being a successful Black in today’s world, you rarely here one being successful for education, you hear them either dribbling a basketball or saying a lyric. Here at Wells College I’m able to be myself and live a good life. Being at a private White institution is hard because being a young Black male you feel like there’s not enough of teachers and students that look like me or understand the struggles I may face. You don’t have the opportunity to feel like yourself due to the dynamic of not having a lot of African American people around. Being here changed my views based how people act towards Black people, the one time I felt unsafe here was during the election process because you see how people feel about us and our kind. The only change I would like to see is more activities for our whole campus to be one, less split and just stuff to do to bring us together as a family and a whole.
Charles Iwuoha Class Year: Sophomore Major: International Studies Minor: Political Science
U I was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States in 2010. After a long adjustment period in High School, I needed to go to a college that was small, easily accessible and most importantly, it needed to be a community that would accept my differences and embrace them. I chose Wells College in part because it provided all the aforementioned characteristics I was looking for in a college, and I have felt welcomed here for the most part. As a member of Wells College Model United Nations and a player on the Men’s Lacrosse team, I have given myself the platform to introduce my cultural identity to people of different race and background and most importantly, add another layer to Diversity at Wells. People know so little about Africa and some of the cultures and traditions that it holds, so I see it as my responsibility to share some of my personal experiences with those who are willing to learn in order to create an understanding and allow for cultural relativism to take place. I believe that when we learn about other people’s cultures and why certain traditions are upheld, we get one step closer to seeing each other as equals and not just a member of some “weird” culture or another.
Brandon Jackson Class Year: First-Year Major: Political Science Minor: Social Media
ď‚˜ I was introduced to Wells College in my junior year of high school. The high school that I attended was Pace High School in Manhattan, and the college representative that came to my school was Annie. She had talked me into being interested in Wells by speaking about the traditions going on, and or course the support I would receive when going in as pre-vet at the time. From their Wells has always been the first in mind when thinking about a college to go to, and that is how I made it here. Coming to a predominately white institution, it is often hard bringing your culture with you at all times. But a benefit of coming here was that I could be whoever I wanted to be without judgment or criticism. I could carry the borough that I live in on my shoulders constantly fending off haters that disagree that the Bronx is the best. From then on I have learned that being a part of the LGBTQ community along with being Afro-Native American I am a melting pot of culture waiting to be released to the world. I am a part of more clubs than an ordinary college student should be, but then again I ain’t ordinary I would say. This contributes to the Wells community by making it more diverse. I believe that my personality allows other to be themselves around me truly, and that is the look I go for when surrounding myself with others. I also believe that in doing so I continue to make wells the family that my classmates try to make it be.
Jahasia Cooper Class Year: Sophomore Major: International Cultures Minor: Communications Studies
Being from New York City, I’ve never had the feeling that I was a part of a close-knit community and I knew that was something I wanted when I went of to college. When deadlines were approaching to make a decision on which college I would call home for the next four years, I felt overwhelmed to make a decision between Ithaca and Wells. My parents intended on driving me to Ithaca, but as we got closer we took a detour and decided to drive to Wells instead. Little did I know, I already made my decision to attend Wells on my way to visit the school. When I officially arrived on campus on move-in day, I wasn’t nervous, but I was filled with unexpected excitement and comfortability. I knew then that Wells was the right school for me and that I would fit in perfectly. Being a student of color at Wells made me realize how much my cultural background and experiences made me different from others. Back home in NYC, I have never felt like I stood out because I was surrounded by people who had the same background as me. I have learned to embrace being an African American woman even more because I have learned that there’s so much more to being a Black woman in America than just the color of my skin; there’s a history, a culture and an identity behind it, which is something all African Americans should be proud of. At Wells, I have seen that there is unity when there is diversity and when people come together and put their judgements aside about people of any background, then the community learns so much about what it means to be inclusive in 2017.
Living In Color is a digital media club with a goal to give underrepresented students on campus a digital platform to let their voice be heard. The club emphasizes diversity through the media and brings students together of various backgrounds. We want to use media to educate people about issues facing women, African Americans, the LatinX community, the LGBTQIA community and other underrepresented groups! Special thanks to our advisor Latesha Fussell, Wells' Director of Campus Life for Diversity and Inclusion. Want to get in on the next issue? Contact Jahasia Cooper at jcooper15@wells.edu.
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