Class of 2022: Goldielyn Pagaspas

UA provides a new life and opportunities for upcoming UA graduate

Goldielyn Pagaspas will be the student speaker at the Fall 2022 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 9 a.m. in the James A. Rhodes Arena. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business in Business Data Analytics and wishes to work full-time and travel abroad following graduation.

Q: What unique things should we know about you?

A: My family immigrated from the Philippines in 2007. I became a U.S. citizen in October 2019 during my first semester at UA. I speak Tagalog and English and took five years of Spanish and four years of French in high school.

Q: Why did you want to go to UA?

A: I wanted to go to college to earn a degree and give myself the opportunity for a better life. I wanted to go to UA because I felt like it had the most to offer and it felt like the perfect fit for me. During the time that I was applying to colleges, I was in the process of applying for citizenship and my green card expired. Because of that, I had a hard time getting into college. I applied to several colleges, but none of them cared enough to listen to my situation. Not only did UA listen, but they also cared enough to work with me to find a solution. At that point, I stopped looking at other colleges and gave 110 percent effort and attention to UA because I knew that I wanted to be a student there. UA cares about their students.

Q: What campus activities were you involved in?

A: I was working as many as three jobs at a time and had a three-hour round-trip commute during my college years, so I didn’t have a lot of extra time to get involved in activities. However, I did attend UA soccer, football and basketball games, and I’ve enjoyed some school-sponsored entertainment such as a hypnotist show and a comedy night. Also, I work as a student assistant of the Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, so I have been deeply involved in the Rethinking Race series and Black, Brown and Beyond Male Summit for several years.

Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?

A: I was on Dean’s List in Fall 2019 and President’s List every semester after that.

Q: Who was your favorite professor and why?

A: Dr. Amanda Weinstein was my favorite professor for many reasons. I had her for Principles of Microeconomics, Women and the Economy, and Applied Econometrics 1. I have learned so much from her over the years. I’ve always enjoyed and looked forward to her class because she always made the topics so informational, yet interesting and intriguing. She helped me switch to my current major after informing me of it. She taught me lifelong skills that go far beyond the classroom, all of which I will take with me after I graduate.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I plan on taking the year to work a full-time job, even if it is not related to my degree, and I want to travel throughout the United States and abroad. I will also be job hunting for my dream career that will utilize my degree and the skills I’ve learned during my time at UA.

Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?

A: I was on Dean’s List in Fall 2019 and President’s List every semester after that.

Q: What is your favorite memory of UA?

A: My favorite memory of UA is probably the Office of Multicultural Diversity’s two-day Advanced Orientation in which I participated. During the orientation, my group got to stay the night in one of the dorms. We toured campus, played games and even got ice cream from McDonald’s. It is my favorite memory because I met my first UA friends there and the orientation instantly made me feel like I was meant to be a UA student. It made the campus feel like home.

Q: If you could talk with your freshman self, what advice would you give?

A: I would say to find a healthy balance between school, work and social life. Everyone knows that focusing on school is important for the future and working is good for developing skills and work ethic. However, I would tell myself that the present is important, too. I would tell myself to stop worrying too much about the future and what I must do next, and sometimes just focus on the present. I would tell myself that having time for myself, friends and family is also important. I would tell myself that nothing is more important than my mental health. Lastly, I would tell myself that I am no good to help someone if I am not okay myself, so I should prioritize taking care of myself.

Class of 2022: Chyann Farlin

UA graduate plans for future in food marketing

Chyann Farlin Chyann Farlin will be the student speaker at the Fall 2022 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Food and Environmental Nutrition and plans to earn a master’s degree in food marketing following graduation.

Q: What unique things should we know about you?

A: I enjoy hiking, even in the winter.

Q: Why did you want to go to UA?

A: UA is close to my home.

Q: What campus activities were you involved in?

A: I was a part of Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Epsilon Theta Chapter, which is a community service organization.

Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?

A: I received the Marlene Toot Scholarship and Aldrich Scholarship. I’m graduating with honors. I am also a member of the Williams Honors College.

Q: Who was your favorite professor and why?

A: Dr. Pei-Yang Liu in Exercise and Nutrition Science is my favorite professor because she is refreshing in the classroom and dedicated to ensuring the success of her students.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I plan to build my career in the food industry and eventually earn a master’s degree in food marketing.

Q: What is your favorite memory of UA?

A: My favorite memory of UA was getting my picture taken for my student ID and being so excited to start college.

Q: If you could talk with your freshman self, what advice would you give?

A: I would tell my freshman self to explore Akron more!