The Faculty of Color Association (FOCA) Student Leadership Award will be awarded annually to a student (or students) of color with financial need who have demonstrated leadership or contributed to diversity and inclusion efforts on campus.
Stonehill College is deeply grateful to the faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who have joined together with our Faculty of Color Association (FOCA) to establish the FOCA Student Leadership Award.
2023-2024 Academic Year Recipient
Jaelynn Rodney '24
Scholar Name: Jaelynn Rodney
Class: 2024
Field of Study: Psychology and Interdisciplinary Studies
Award Recipient Nomination
“Jaelynn has been a leader on our campus for many years now, in both formal and informal roles. She currently serves as the Class of 2024 Executive Diversity Chair for the Student Government Association, bringing increased visibility and support to campus DEI [diversity equity, inclusion] events.
Jaelynn is passionate about DEIJ [diversity, equity, inclusion, justice] initiatives and has been pursuing a program of study that investigates the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, income, and disability status. Her care, compassion, and passion for serving underrepresented populations is evident in both her curricular, co-curricular, and professional work. You will frequently see Jae at first-gen events on campus, connecting with other students and offering to provide support around student transitions to Stonehill.
A leader in the classroom, Jaelynn is currently designing an interdisciplinary major that will highlight the connections between her studies in psychology, sociology, and healthcare with a critical lens toward of the intersection between race and healthcare access (especially for autistic children). When Jaelynn graduates this May, she will leave an indelible mark on the community, having improved the College - and the lives of its students, staff, and faculty - simply by having shared herself with us.”
“Jaelynn is a powerful force for justice with SGA. She is the DEI officer and plays a vital role in opening, securing, and consolidating spaces to support students of color on our campus. She put together a culture camp day where students of color met and it was very successful.”
A Q and A with Jaelynn Rodney '24
Why did you choose to enroll at Stonehill College?
I chose to enroll at Stonehill College because of the outstanding Psychology program. The beautiful campus greenery was another selling point for me. I did not expect to get so involved and meet so many amazing people and mentors at Stonehill, but I am very grateful I did. Truth be told, I could never see myself attending any other college and thriving the way I did at Stonehill. This place has strengthened me and uplifted me in ways I never thought could happen.
What are some of your proudest moments at Stonehill, as well as some of your greatest challenges during your time here?
A few of my proudest moments at Stonehill include a mixture of academic accomplishments along with social accomplishments. I became the Class of 2024’s Student Government Association Executive Diversity Chair, which was a pivotal moment for me. I was able to get more involved with students and organizations that I deeply care about and want to see succeed. Another proud moment would have to be creating my own major. I created an Interdisciplinary Studies major titled Critical Disabilities Studies that focuses on the intersectionality of race and healthcare access. With my own personal interest and concentration in Autism, I was beyond proud to create a major centered on the intersectionality of underrepresented communities.
A social accomplishment I achieved was being selected as one of the most valuable players in the Rugby New England All Teams Conference. Having the opportunity to play club rugby at Stonehill changed my life forever and has made me who I am today. Despite these memorable moments, I still faced challenging obstacles as any student does. Being in college comes with a lot of normal stress and anxiety. That could come from classes, exams, athletic games, or even from friends. That being said, dealing with burnout was probably one of my most challenging phases in school. It is hard to wake up and keep going when you feel so drained. Luckily for me, I surrounded myself with a community that constantly saw my potential and helped me pushed through the hard side of college.
How has mentorship played a role in your Stonehill journey – both a mentee and a mentor?
Mentorship has played a vital role in my Stonehill journey. Starting from freshman year, I joined the BACES program. The BACES [Black, Indigenous and People of Color Achieving Connection & Empowerment at Stonehill] Mentoring Program matches BIPOC students and alumni for mentoring. I connected with my mentor, Danielle Medina, whom I love and adore. She has helped and advised me through many situations at Stonehill. From sending a get well soon card when I had COVID, to letting me interview her for a research paper, Danielle was my first introduction to mentorship, and I will always thank her for that!
Kristine Din and Teddi Nguyen, the Director and Assistant Director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs, are two amazing women whom I’d consider wonderful mentors. They both have been a consistent line of support for me at Stonehill. They always make themselves available for any student in need. They have created a welcoming and safe space in the Office of Intercultural Affairs. Without them, I wouldn’t have a place to vent or a person to run to when I need help. They have poured their hearts into me and so many other students at Stonehill. Their presence in my life has enhanced my Stonehill journey immensely.
What are your professional goals and aspirations?
My professional goal is to work with autistic children in ABA Therapy. My first goal is to become a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT). Once I achieve that goal, my plan is to go back to school to become a Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) and eventually work my way up to being a Lead BCBA. These roles do not limit me, so I am open to where life takes me as the years go on!
