Become Who You Are Meant To Be

Transcript

Now, we have talked about students at Goucher following their passions a couple times now, but here to talk more about that is Rachel, a Literature Major and Philosophy and Creative Writing Double Minor. She’s gonna let us know how Goucher empowers students to become who they’re meant to be through support and opportunities. Over to you, Rachel.

– Thanks, Alex. Hello everyone. I’m a disabled college student. Disabled college students do not get a lot of media representation and people tend to forget about us as a population, but we’re here, we wanna learn, and have fun, and generally have the college experience. At Goucher, I’ve been able to do all of these things because of the warm, collaborative community. I’ve had opportunities here to do things I never dreamed were possible. I’m on the leadership team of Equal Access, Goucher’s student run advocacy and support group focusing on students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental illnesses, neuro divergencies, and learning differences. I studied abroad in France, acted in a French play, wrote a fiction piece about a zombie apocalypse that takes in a Wawa Convenience Store, all during my time here, and through all of this, the Goucher community, professors, staff, and students have stood by me and supported me. Goucher is a place that both accepts you for who you are and helps you grow into the person that you want to be. It’s the first place I felt safe and comfortable truly being myself. Coming from a competitive high school, it was just amazing to find a place where everyone is genuinely rooting for each other to succeed. Goucher has helped me get to a point in my life where I’m ready to go out into the world. I’ve gained so much confidence, I’ve made lifelong friends, and I’m working towards a career in disability advocacy. My journey has not always been easy. There’s still so many barriers to accessibility that need to be dismantled. But the Goucher community has helped me to keep going and find the strength to fight against these challenges. Thank you so much for watching everyone, I hope you all have a lovely day. Now, back to you, Alex.

– Incredible, Rachel, with everything you have overcome, what an inspirational story. Thank you, you are already doing great things at Goucher and I’m sure you’re gonna go on to do so many more amazing things. I’m so glad Goucher gives students the time, space, and opportunity to follow their passions and find their true self. Cheers, Rachel.