Career-changing student pursues job as music teacher 

Returning to college as a 46-year-old, Stratos Bonos, ’26, worried how he would be received on campus. As it turned out, Stratos had nothing to fear at Bridgewater State.

“I truly felt a genuine welcome from everyone I encountered,” said the music education major from Grafton. “It’s very rare to find this type of culture and environment at other schools. It’s genuine here.”

Stratos started taking college classes right after high school but put his degree on hold for financial reasons. He then became heavily involved in retail work, rising to district manager during a 23-year career at TJX Companies. But he missed a passion for music that flourished while he was in high school.

Seeking a career change, Stratos is back in the classroom studying to become a music teacher, ideally focusing on high school chorus or elementary music. He hopes to provide a space where students feel a sense of belonging just as he experienced in high school choral classes.

Stratos felt at home at ���鵺��̳ from his first time on campus. Transfer Services Director Jeff Sarahs, '10, G'12, and Dr. Sarah McQuarrie, chairperson of the Department of Music, were eager to meet him and helped him assimilate to Bridgewater.

When a severe car crash upended one semester, Stratos appreciated how accommodating his professors were about extending deadlines for assignments. It’s another example of the culture at Bridgewater that he finds so impressive.

In class, McQuarrie emphasizes the real-world applications of course concepts. Learning at ���鵺��̳ has a purpose beyond passing an exam, said Stratos, who even conducted a chorus during ���鵺��̳'s recent Holiday Extravaganza.

“She also shows a lot of patience, which is something as a teacher that I want to exhibit,” he said. “It’s about the journey and recognizing those small successes. She role models that every day.”

Stratos has a dynamic personality and is a strong critical thinker who is unafraid to ask questions, McQuarrie said.

“Stratos is very well liked and well respected among his peers,” she said. “He blends right in with the other students. He does not have any sort of preconception that he’s older or wiser. He’s there to learn.”

Outside of the classroom, Stratos serves as a tour guide, where he ensures prospective students feel the positive atmosphere he experienced.

“It’s been everything,” he said of coming to ���鵺��̳. “It’s what has sustained me. It's what is setting me up for the next chapter of my life.”

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

I truly felt a genuine welcome from everyone I encountered. It’s very rare to find this type of culture and environment at other schools. It’s genuine here.

Senior finds calling in helping others, serving with Trustees

With a keen interest in the military, Emily Rose, ’25, was initially unsure if college was the right fit. But at Bridgewater State, Emily quickly found a calling: advocating for fellow students while preparing to enter the Army.

“I’ve developed my leadership skills in a way I never thought I’d be able to,” said Emily, a criminal justice major who is minoring in Portuguese. “I’ve really grown in my ability to care for people and learning what others go through so I can help. I think it has been so beneficial.”

Emily, who has served in the Student Government Association since their first year, and participates in ROTC, is the student representative on the Board of Trustees for this school year. They were elected by their peers to the post on ���鵺��̳’s top board.

As a trustee, Emily looks forward to analyzing data, expanding opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, and fostering the welcoming campus they have enjoyed throughout their time as a Bear.

“I really think it’s the students, their hard work and determination,” Emily said. “Everyone goes above and beyond. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a time when someone didn’t open a door for me and let me pass through.”

The annual back-to-school barbecue for the campus symbolizes the camaraderie that exists, Emily said.

“���鵺��̳ is a place where everyone anywhere on campus would feel safe,” they said in highlighting widespread support for the LGBTQIA+ community. “I feel comfortable to be who I am.”

Emily’s leadership isn’t limited by campus boundaries. They are also the commander of an Army ROTC company that includes students from Bridgewater, Curry College and Stonehill College.

Emily aspires to follow their father into the military, where they will no doubt rely on the leadership skills earned at Bridgewater.

“I don’t think I would be the same person I am without student government and the support of everyone above me who mentored me,” said Emily, praising connections with peers, faculty and administrators. “It wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for everyone at ���鵺��̳.”

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

I don’t think I would be the same person I am without student government and the support of everyone above me who mentored me. It wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for everyone at ���鵺��̳.

First-year student is a leader on Massachusetts' Youth Advisory Council

Sofie De Coste has yet to take her first class as a ���鵺��̳ political science major, but the incoming freshman is already making a name for herself on Beacon Hill.

Sofie serves on Gov. Maura Healey’s Youth Advisory Council. She sees her Bridgewater State education as an opportunity to further expand her ability to make a difference in others’ lives.

“I’m most excited to start the journey to be a public servant,” said Sofie, who is eager to soak in the experience of her professors. “When it comes to political science, I can read every book in the world, but actual experience is something you can only get from individuals in the classroom.”

The Lakeville resident, who is also majoring in psychology, said she draws inspiration from her family. The daughter of a disabled Marine Corps veteran, she saw the costs of her father’s service continue to affect him as he aged. So, she is advocating for legislation to exempt fully disabled veterans from paying property taxes.

“Being aware of the situation, I thought I should be the one to take the steps and do something about it,” she said.

On the Youth Advisory Council, Sofie leads the youth violence committee, which is studying causes of violence and programs to help young people overcome those challenges.

She is also part of a squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, a national organization affiliated with the U.S. Air Force. Sofie specializes in ground searches for missing people and spent much of this summer training in Texas and Pennsylvania.

Sofie has also experienced obstacles to her success. After her family faced racial discrimination, she questioned how much she could do as a minority.

“I was always saying, ‘I’m going to go out and save the world,’” she said. “I faced all those injustices with my family and had to overcome that. There was definitely a period of time where I wasn’t so sure if I’d be able to.”

But she rediscovered her confidence and commitment to service through the Civil Air Patrol. Now Bridgewater stands out as another place where she can thrive.

“I wanted to stay close to home,” she said of choosing ���鵺��̳. “I looked at the campus and the faculty were extremely supportive. What drew me here was the positive energy.”

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

I looked at the campus and the faculty were extremely supportive. What drew me here was the positive energy.

Senior selected as campus’ student-representative to Board of Higher Ed

When Imani Barbour, ’25, first arrived at ���鵺��̳ she already had goals in place and an idea how to reach them. The ambitious freshman wanted to make a difference and opted to double major in social work and sociology. 

“I entered college as an advocate,” said Imani, now a senior. “My majors are both heavily focused on the environment and about helping other people. I have dedicated my life in service of others.”

She jumped right into campus life, becoming president of ���鵺��̳’s African American Society, a resident advisor, and eventual head resident assistant. 

Her efforts working in resident life caught the attention of the department’s Director Justin McCauley, as well as Christina McCauley, executive director, Center for Student Engagement.  

When President Frederick W. Clark Jr. enlisted the support of Student Life to nominate potential student-representatives to the state’s Board of Higher Education, Imani was one of the first who came to mind. 

 “We asked colleagues to provide suggestions on who they felt would be a good candidate and Imani was one of those considered,” Christina said. 

Upon being nominated, Imani was quick to respond. 

“I love doing anything that gets my voice heard on issues I see happening all around us,” she said. “Hearing that (people) thought I was a good candidate to represent state colleges and universities on a large scale felt empowering.”

Imani applied and went through the interview process and last semester learned that she was selected to serve as a student member on the Board of Higher Education. 

“I was extremely nervous...but when they said, ‘Congratulations!’ I just smiled from ear to ear,” she said. “I kept saying thank you and that I look forward to beginning this project with them.”

Imani began her term July 1; it extends through the end of May, when the next student-representatives are selected. 

As a student member, she looks forward to learning how the board does its work regarding the rules and regulations within higher education. She will serve in an advisory role on the board and attend its Student Advisory Council meetings. 

 “I look forward to letting people know I am here for them, and their education, and am ready to advocate for changes we feel would be beneficial to our success,” Imani said. “If I can make one person feel seen or understood, I know I did the job I came to do. This position provides an opportunity do that.” 

Students can reach out to Imani with questions or concerns by emailing ibarbour@student.bridgew.edu.

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu 

I look forward to letting people know I am here for them, and their education, and am ready to advocate for changes we feel would be beneficial to our success.

Alumna finds passion in TESOL instruction and helping others

Ten years after graduating from high school Jolie Streeter-Duczkowski, ’21, decided it was time to go back to school and enrolled in a local community college.

“I was a teen mom,” Streeter-Duczkowski said. “For ten years, from the ages of 18 to 28, I had this feeling like I had wasted all my potential (in terms of my education). I felt that I had done everything wrong.”

It was through volunteering and helping others in her Taunton community that her mindset began to shift.

She volunteered at a language learners community center, teaching English to non-English speaking students.

“Helping others that were also feeling vulnerable helped me see that by empowering others, I can empower myself,” she said.

After transferring to ���鵺��̳ to study English with a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), she signed up to work as a tutor in the school’s Academic Achievement Center.

“I like doing two things, helping people and answering questions,” she said. “So, I found teaching and tutoring to be a good fit.”

After earning her undergraduate degree, she decided to continue her education and is currently enrolled in ���鵺��̳’s graduate TESOL program.

As a student she gravitated toward helping multilingual students and worked in what was then called second language services.

Over time, she began to believe the name of the center was confusing, so Streeter-Duczkowski set out to change it and hopefully clear things up.

This past year, thanks to her efforts, the name of the center was changed to, “Tutoring for Multilingual Students.”

The name change has yielded positive results.

“We have fewer people coming in for mistaken reasons,” she said. “It helps to ensure that appointment times are being reserved for the correct type of help.”

To further help students, Streeter-Duczkowski organized ���鵺��̳’s first multilingual fair in March. She collaborated with the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, student-run organizations, ���鵺��̳’s navigator program, the Pride Center, and other community members to pull it all together.

More than 80 students attended the event where they learned about the different resources ���鵺��̳ offers, and there were also raffles, prizes, and gift bags.

All in all, it was a success.

As she works toward her master’s degree, Streeter-Duczkowski will continue to support ���鵺��̳ students, creating spaces for those who may be struggling.

“College is about finding your group, your community where you can be yourself, that’s how you grow as a person,” she said.

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu 

College is about finding your group, your community where you can be yourself, that’s how you grow as a person.

Newman Fellow lauded for her advocacy work 

Summa �������ٱ��’s drive to make a difference began in elementary school when she joined the Girl Scouts. Since then, she hasn’t looked back.

“Being involved in hands-on service at a young age deepened my understanding of direct service’s importance,” she said.

The senior continued her passion for advocacy at ���鵺��̳, where she worked as an alternative break team leader through the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) and mentored local high schoolers.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Summa received the 2024 ���鵺��̳’s Unsung Hero Award, presented earlier this year at the annual Impact Award celebration. The award is given to someone who goes above and beyond in the development of leadership and service opportunities.

Upon returning from a service-learning trip to Cuba this past May, Summa received more good news, when she was chosen to be a 2024-25 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow.

The news was humbling.

“To be named a Newman Civic Fellow and to have this light shone upon me…means I’m capable of creating change across campus, not just in our community, but beyond” she said. “I’m honored to have this platform to continue the work I’ve been doing.”

The year-long program emphasizes personal, professional and civic growth. The goal is to learn how to collaborate effectively across all disciplines to create large-scale positive changes. Through the fellowship, students within the cohort will have the opportunity to network and develop as civic leaders.

���鵺��̳ President Frederick W. Clark Jr is thrilled to learn Summa had been selected.

“As a student leader, she actively builds community and facilitates learning for her peers and local youth,” Clark said. “As a changemaker, she aims to mobilize and influence her peers to think critically, share their stories with people in positions of power, and get actively involved in voting."

Summa hopes to develop a skill set that will teach her how to better organize people for causes she believes in, chief among them is getting students to the polls in this November’s presidential election.

“It’s so important to encourage others to vote, I hope to educate my peers on how to vote,” she said.

Beyond that, Summa plans to work and meet with students from various organizations at ���鵺��̳ to ensure all voices are heard.

“I want to create opportunities for my peers across campus so they can be advocates for themselves,” she said.

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu 

To be named a Newman Civic Fellow and to have this light shone upon me…means I’m capable of creating change across campus, not just in our community, but beyond. I’m honored to have this platform to continue the work I’ve been doing.

Award-winning psychology student researches controversial court procedure 

As a child, Alex Ray, ’25, had a bad experience within the family law court system that inspired him to pursue a career focusing on psychology and law.

“It’s a long story, but as a kid I had an adverse experience...It was then that I realized that I wanted to learn more about the law,” he said. “Ultimately, I want to help people and be in a position where I can advocate for others. I want to better understand the social sciences and how they can affect the law and can change the law.”

The ���鵺��̳ psychology major was recently awarded a national research award from the American Psychology-Law Society to help achieve his goals.

According to his mentor, psychology Professor Nesa Wasarhaley, the award is for the Access Path to Psychology and Law Experience Program, which provides financial support to students from groups currently underrepresented in the field of psychology and law.

As a first-generation student who identifies as Hispanic, Ray was an appropriate candidate to apply.

“Alex is motivated, high-achieving, and immensely passionate,” Wasarhaley said.

She encouraged him to apply for the award after mentoring him.

“He was doing everything he could think of to gain experiences that would bring him closer to achieving his career goals, but as a first-generation college student, he hadn’t received clear guidance in mapping out a cohesive path to graduate school in psychology.”

When he learned he was selected to receive the national research award, Alex was excited.

“I was so happy, I worked really hard on putting together the application. I wasn’t sure I would get it, so it’s been an amazing feeling,” he said.

Alex will put the funding toward his research, which examines hypothetical outcomes for defendants who opt to “affirm” versus “giving an oath” during testimony in court.  This is often done because of religious reasons.

“There hasn’t been a lot of research done on this, but those who affirm tend to have less favorable outcomes,” Alex said. “For credibility purposes, I want to know if they are being viewed more or less favorably for verdict outcomes.”

Ultimately, Alex hopes the experience will help him in his quest to earn a PhD in psychology with the dream of becoming a forensic psychologist.

Aside from his research, Alex has also interned at Bridgewater State Hospital, where he completed a 50-hour training in the forensic population that included attending mental health seminars and observing the overall system.

He’s constantly seeking out opportunities to help him reach his goals and looks forward to seeing what new doors he can open.

“There are a lot of things I want to do,” Alex said. “But ultimately I want to advocate for change…to work as a designated forensic scientist and serve in public-sector roles where I can make a difference.”

Ultimately I want to advocate for change...to work as a designated forensic scientist and serve in public-sector roles where I can make a difference. 

 

 

Recent graduate’s disability propels her toward career teaching, helping others

����é�Բ� Beeloo, ’24, came to Bridgewater State unsure if she would be successful, and for a good reason: her doctor told her she would not be able to physically handle a full course load.

But ����é�Բ�, who has a rare genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, was determined to succeed. And ���鵺��̳ provided a supportive atmosphere in which to take classes and conduct original research.

“For me, it’s really empowering,” said ����é�Բ�, a transfer student who graduated last weekend with a physics degree. “Now I know I can do anything that I want to do. ... Bridgewater gave me hope.”

Growing up, ����é�Բ� was prone to injury, a trend initially dismissed as clumsiness. But the symptoms didn’t subside and a curious ����é�Բ� researched what was amiss. Studying her symptoms sparked an interest in biophysics that persisted at ���鵺��̳.

Doctors eventually diagnosed her with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects many parts of her body. Her joints are very stretchy, putting her at risk of frequently dislocating her shoulders, hips and knees. She used a feeding tube for more than a year because she was unable to digest solid foods.

As a result, ����é�Բ� took a leave of absence from her first college and exceeded the time that institution allowed students to spend away from the classroom. Seeking a new university close to her Whitman home, ����é�Բ� turned to Bridgewater State, where her mom, Heather Bond-Beeloo, ’16, earned a math degree.

“It was a good thing because I love Bridgewater so much more,” ����é�Բ� said. “I feel supported.”

In the months leading up to her first class, Dr. Thaya Paramanathan welcomed her to meetings of his single-molecule biophysics lab. She made friends and felt at home as a Bear before completing her first assignment.

Working with lab partner Aaron Ferreira,’24, ����é�Բ� studied how the chemotherapy drug Mitoxantrone interacts with single molecules of DNA. They used optical tweezers (built by previous ���鵺��̳ undergraduates) that use finely focused lasers to trap and examine microscopic particles.

����é�Բ�, who praised Aaron for taking on any tasks she couldn’t physically perform, hopes the research will assist doctors in determining the minimum effective dosage.

“Doing undergraduate research showed me that I do have a future in this field,” she said. “I do belong as a physicist.”

Paramanathan, an associate professor of physics, photonics and optical engineering, has no doubt that ����é�Բ� will continue to succeed. He’s impressed by her ability to teach her peers challenging material and her knowledge in physics as well as chemistry, biology and computer science.

“She’s one of the best students I’ve ever had,” Paramanathan said. “She’s capable of doing anything.”

����é�Բ� is pursuing opportunities to teach high school physics, and may consider graduate school in the future. She hopes to become a college professor, a career aspiration shaped by Paramanathan and others she met at ���鵺��̳.

“As a professor, I can continue to learn forever, which is thrilling,” she said. “I know what it’s like to have a mentor change your life, and I want to be that person for someone else.”

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

“For me, it’s really empowering. Now I know I can do anything that I want to do. ... Bridgewater gave me hope.”

Junior high- jumper’s time arrives with her earning All-American honors

What does it feel like when you set a goal for yourself, put in years of work focusing on that goal, and then it finally comes to fruition?

“It is very satisfying,” said ���鵺��̳ track & field star Serenity Sands, ’25.

And she should know. This past March, Serenity, a high jumper for the ���鵺��̳ Women’s Indoor (and outdoor) Track & Field team, tied three other competitors at the NCAA Division 3 Women’s Championships for the best jump of the day. The trio’s winning length, 5 feet, 8.5 inches, was, for Serenity, a new personal best.

After the tiebreaker process, Serenity placed fourth in the competition. Her strong showing helped her earn something else, something she’s been working toward throughout her collegiate athletic career: All-American honors.

“I knew going in that I wanted to be an All-American...I knew I had to stay really focused,” Serenity said. “It’s been exciting to see my years of hard work actualized and pay off.”

���鵺��̳ assistant and jumps coach Samantha Richner works closely with Serenity and is not surprised at the student-athlete’s success.

“Serenity is determined to be successful in both academics and athletics. She is extremely self-motivated and organized her life to prioritize both,” Richner said. “I am confident she will find success as she moves forward on and off the track.” 

Before coming to ���鵺��̳ to study psychology and compete in track, Serenity, an East Bridgewater native, took a gap year. 

“Initially, I had committed somewhere else, but I grew up living close to Bridgewater State and always felt welcomed here, specifically with the track and field program,” she said. 

In addition, she said the size of campus and personalized attention students get from professors makes going to Bridgewater a win. 

“Competing here and attending school here has been very rewarding. There is such a personable feel. I’ve built close relationships with my teammates, and have been able to connect with my professors... If these are things you’re looking for in a school then Bridgewater is the right place,” Serenity said. 

This spring, she will be competing on the ���鵺��̳ outdoor women’s track and field team with the goal to get back to the NCAA championships, to be held on Memorial Day weekend in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 

“Through competing, I’m always learning I’m more capable than I ever thought. I set goals, and sometimes those goals might seem crazy, but if you believe in yourself and you work hard, you learn you’re capable of doing anything you want to do,” she said. 

 Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu 

If you believe in yourself and you work hard, you learn you’re capable of doing anything you want to do.

Commencement speaker bounces back, now helps others

As she struggled with her mental health, Ilina Monteiro, ’24, questioned whether she would ever attend college, never mind one day represent her class as the student commencement speaker.

In high school, Ilina attempted suicide and accumulated so many absences that she barely graduated. College seemed impossible – until Bridgewater State welcomed her.

“Getting into ���鵺��̳ not only signified a new journey for me, but it also signified the beginning of a life I’ve always envisioned,” Ilina said. “It signified becoming a new me and having something to look forward to.”

This weekend, Ilina will address her classmates from the commencement stage just before receiving a bachelor’s degree in social work. The student speaker for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences ceremony, Ilina will share her story as a hopeful message of perseverance.

“I didn’t think I could make it to college, and here I am graduating,” she said. “You can do it.”

A native of Cabo Verde currently living in Taunton, Ilina immigrated to the U.S. with her family when she was 8 years old. She didn’t know a single word of English – not even how to say, “Hi.”

Ilina now speaks English fluently thanks to school lessons and watching children’s television shows (her favorites included Curious George and Caillou). At ���鵺��̳, she minored in teaching English to speakers of other languages and taught youngsters English during a study tour to the Dominican Republic.

She also appreciates the compassionate support of social work professors such as Drs. Leslie Sattler and Jibril Solomon.

“They worked with me through my mental health journey,” Ilina said. “They were my rock. Every time I came into their classes, I felt supported.”

Solomon is impressed by her resilience. Even amid personal challenges, Ilina always had a plan to keep her academics on track, said Solomon, who taught her in several classes.

She brings a strong understanding of social and racial justice issues and a wealth of personal experience to her profession, he said.

“Being a social worker is not just a career for her,” Solomon said. “It’s her way of contributing to her community and being a difference maker.”

She’s already doing that through her job at the Old Colony YMCA’s Brockton branch. She supports and mentors children who are in the foster care system or facing their own mental health challenges.

Ilina will soon pursue a master’s degree in social work from Bridgewater. She hopes to one day bring mental health services to Cabo Verde, where she said people too often suffer in silence.

“���鵺��̳ gave me a calling to help people who have been through similar struggles as I have,” she said. “���鵺��̳ gave me a purpose.”

Do you have a ���鵺��̳ story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

���鵺��̳ gave me a calling to help people who have been through similar struggles as I have. ���鵺��̳ gave me a purpose.