Alexandria Austin '25
BA Economics, minor in Writing and Rhetoric 

On Stony Brook:

I ended up choosing to study at Stony Brook because of transportation convenience when I moved to Long Island. My commute traveling to Old Westbury originally was 40 minutes to an hour (on a good day). Traveling to Stony Brook it went down to 25-30 minutes.

Secondly, SBU is known to be a great school. Who wouldn’t want to graduate from Stony Brook? My third reason is being able to grow with the multiple opportunities and resources available at Stony Brook. When I first came I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a major but I knew I would find my passion and be able to switch to a major that gave me room to grow.

Lastly, I received a lot of encouraging words about attending Stony Brook when I was conversing with family and friends. Most people in NY recognize Stony Brook and the more I talked about attending the school I was receiving “Oh, that’s a great school you’re going to!” Hearing those words definitely boosted my confidence and gave me a lot more peace about my decision to attend Stony Brook as a student. 

On her minor: 

I decided to do my minor in writing and rhetoric, because Professor Kaplan convinced me. He saw me as a great writer, even though I was not confident with my writing. I always felt I had poor structure and lacked all the important skills when it comes to being a writer. Professor Kaplan convinced me I need to get out of my head and develop a habit of writing more. So I decided to take on the challenge of adding a minor in writing and rhetoric during my senior year. I managed to complete all my courses, and my writing classes were the highlight of my senior year. I truly value this minor, as it shifted my perspective on writing and opened my eyes to the many opportunities it can offer. 

Favorite class:

My favorite classes are the ones that I was able to really express who I am, my thoughts, what I love about life or how I was shaped into this world. Most of the time that was either through my writing or art courses I took when I first came to Stony Brook. I’m really a creative person, and I love tapping into those creative outlets when it comes to the arts, which fits my degree (Bachelor of Arts) perfectly. I’m an artistic person in different ways. Maybe not in poetry or painting or theater, but when it comes to being able to write about who I am as a Black woman introducing herself to the world and peers at Stony Brook. I had the chance to highlight the struggles of Black women’s hair texture in a white-centered society through several foundational art projects. I also led class discussions on the experiences of Black women using photography, and even created a McDonald's-themed amusement park for an anthropology assignment. These were the classes that left a lasting impact on me—they reminded me of the power of creativity to challenge narratives, spark dialogue, and express identity in meaningful ways. 

Interests and accomplishments:

I love roller skating and crocheting! I also love watching movies at the movie theater with the whole popcorn experience but also playing movies like Grease and the High School Musical series at home all day. I love bike riding. I love traveling to different islands and learning the culture. I have many hobbies and interests. Now that I am a graduate, I can’t wait to officially tap into them all!

My biggest accomplishment right now is graduating from college. That may sound silly to add here but when I look back, I could’ve continued working full time only, and most people who dropout of college find it hard to get back. Being the first in my family to receive a bachelor degree is a big accomplishment I never want to take lightly. Graduating is a big deal and I’m proud of myself for not throwing in the towel permanently. 

Plans for post-graduation:

After graduation, I plan to launch multiple businesses I’ve been wanting to start for a while. I am a business woman/entrepreneur at heart, and I always told myself after graduating, I will put my heart and soul into my businesses so they can grow as I always envisioned. I plan to get a corporate job in NY where I can gain more experience, skills, opportunities, and income in the business field. I do plan to get my master's in business in 1-2 years, because after being in college for seven years getting your undergrad, I would like a break to relax my mind a little.  

Advice for future Seawolves:

My advice is to take all the opportunities that your school has to offer. I am a commuter and when I first came here, I always said I’m just gonna go to class, go home, go to work and that’s it. In my senior year, I decided to be more open-minded to what the school has to offer because I wanted to really get that college experience that I’ve seen in movies, and had to come to an understanding it’s YOU that makes the experience that YOU want.

Since I decided to be more open minded in my senior year I was able to join a performance club Cadence Step Team and become Treasurer. I was able to complete an internship creating a program and teaching financial literacy to high school students at a church in Brooklyn, and receive a scholarship from the Career Center to help out with funding for that internship.  I was able to start a minor in writing and rhetoric in my last year of college.

I was able to make friends that I didn’t have before on campus. I also created a senior bucket list of all the things that I wanted to do in my senior year to get all the experiences I felt I missed throughout the years, and I was able to complete at least 75% of my bucket list. I saw so many amazing things I didn’t even know the campus had to offer. My point is: I accomplished so much in my senior year because I took advantage of what the school had to offer—and there’s truly a lot available if you seek it out. YOU have to make the decision if you want to take it or not. You pay to go here so why not get the full experience of what it means to be a Seawolf at Stony Brook University. 

Favorite SBU memory:

I can say performing with Cadence Step Team, cheering at Stony Brook men's basketball games, going to the homecoming football game, and attending club events were all memorable parts of my time here. But my favorite memory is simply walking on campus. There’s something so peaceful and serene about it—especially in the spring, when the flowers bloom, the sun shines, and you see people heading to class, reading on benches, playing volleyball on the steps, grabbing food from the trucks by the SAC, or relaxing near the fountains as the water dances in the air.

To me, it’s beautiful—and it’s a memory I’ll always hold close. Walking on campus gave me such peace. I used to pray for the chance to return to Stony Brook, and now that I’ve lived that answered prayer, it feels like a miracle. I’m beyond grateful that God allowed me to come back and graduate with my BA. Every time I walk across campus, I’m reminded of His goodness and faithfulness. That simple act brings me back to the prayer I once whispered. So no, my favorite memory of Stony Brook isn’t a typical one—but for me, walking on campus is a powerful reminder of God’s promises fulfilled. 

Parting thoughts: 

I want to give a special thanks and shoutout to Professor Kaplan. He played a huge role in my senior year—constantly supporting, advocating for me, and helping whenever I needed it. I wouldn’t have joined the writing and rhetoric minor if he hadn’t encouraged me to do so. He’s  truly an amazing professor—kind, patient, compassionate, and deeply committed to his students and his work. His willingness to go above and beyond is something I’ll always appreciate. Professors like him are the ones students remember most. I genuinely believe I wouldn’t have made it this far without his support. Thank you so much, Professor Kaplan. You are an incredible person, and I hope more students get the chance to experience your guidance and care.