Shyniece Ferguson ’14, a first generation college student from St. Louis, MO is majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in WGSS & Africana Studies. Soon after arriving at Wooster, Shyniece began taking advantage of the College’s advising and experiential learning resources. She thought about applying for a Lilly Fellowship the summers between her first and sophomore years but wasn’t quite ready. However, she became involved with Academic Advising through serving as a Peer Mentor. With her strong communication skills, she turned into an effective spokesperson for the academic, personal and professional goals we try to instill in Wooster students. Whether it is while she is helping with registration sessions or in her one-on-one meetings with her mentees, Shyniece continually asks students why they make the choices they do, and readily points them to College resources to help them achieve their goals. In reflecting on her work as a Peer Mentor, she once remarked, “I love it. I find myself following my own advice.”
This spring, finally ready to apply for fellowship funding, Shyniece has been accepted as an APEX Fellow to intern at the Black Women’s Blueprint in Brooklyn, NY for two months this summer. She will assist with fundraising efforts, event planning, office administration, and blogging for the Black HerStory Exhibit.