Clubs on Campus

Business Opportunities

BBENSON@bridgew.edu — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:24:23 +0000

Business Opportunities BBENSON@bridgew.edu Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:24

New campus organization prepares students for the working world

April 3, 2025

Brian Benson, G'23

In high school, Sophia Pinarreta, ’27, was heavily involved in the Business Professionals of America as she expanded her workplace skills and thrived at conferences and competitions. She didn’t want the experience to end when she became a ŷ�� student.

Bridgewater State didn’t have a formal connection to the organization, but Sophia took matters into her own hands: The political science and criminal justice major from Taunton started Bridgewater’s own BPA chapter.

“ŷ�� is so good about allowing students to flourish and create the things they want to create,” said Sophia, who praised funding and support from the Student Government Association and other offices.

The new chapter is already achieving success. All 10 of its members excelled at a state leadership conference and qualified for a national competition in May in Orlando. Many were never involved in BPA in high school.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Gillian Misner, ’27, a psychology major from Townsend, who earned first place in ethics/professionalism and human resources events. “I found the events were really helpful and related to a lot of things I’m learning in my major.”

Competitions require students to respond to hypothetical scenarios, take exams and produce videos and podcasts, among an array of other challenges. Students are judged by business leaders and attend workshops that facilitate networking and skill building.

ŷ�� started a chapter at a time when postsecondary membership is rapidly growing, said Makenzi Tiberii, ’17, who studied business management at Bridgewater State and is now the executive director of BPA’s Massachusetts organization.

“When I heard Sophia was looking to create a chapter, it was really a full-circle moment. I literally cried,” Tiberii said. “I was a shy little student who didn’t even know what they wanted to do in college and had a great experience at ŷ��. Now I’m helping current students.”

Tiberii thrived with small class sizes in the Honors Program and the many opportunities to become involved on campus. She appreciated the mentorship of Associate Professor Todd Harris, who is now the advisor for ŷ��’s BPA chapter.

She is excited to see ŷ�� students perform so well at the state level, especially in the chapter’s first year.

The students are focused on preparing for the national competition and raising funds to travel to Florida. And they’re eager to see the chapter grow in the years ahead.

“Everyone can find something they’re interested in and that’s helpful in their career,” Gillian said of a reason to join the club. “There’s definitely a space for any major and any student.”

Sofia, who was part of a team placing first in podcast production, added: “It’s a great way to get your feet wet and get involved at ŷ��.”

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

ŷ�� is so good about allowing students to flourish and create the things they want to create.

Sophia Pinarreta, ’27

Club Grad

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 15:09:17 +0000

Club Grad HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Fri, 01/10/2025 - 10:09

Student association helps graduate students feel connected

January 14, 2025

Heather Harris Michonski

Graduate students are busy: many balance school, work, family and other obligations. Such hectic schedules can mean creating connections on campus can be difficult.

That’s where Bridgewater State University’s Graduate Professional Student Association (GPSA) steps in.

“As a graduate student myself I know how important it is to have a safe space to voice your concerns, to have someone advocate for your needs. That is what the GPSA is about,” said GPSA Vice President and biology major Angelie Castor, G’25.

The GPSA was formed in 2007 by a group of graduate students. It was and remains the only club on campus open strictly to members of the graduate community.

When international student and mental health counseling major Harshita Tewani, G’26, arrived on campus in 2023, she initially struggled, but with support from the GPSA, she was able to find her footing.

“I started going to events and felt this kindness and warmth, I felt genuine support that wasn’t just academically focused,” Harshita said.

GSPA impacted her so much, she ran and was recently elected club president.

“I felt so cared for, one of my goals became that if given the chance I wanted to give back, that was my intention and I’m grateful to be able to serve,” Harshita said.

Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services Ally McVickar advises the group and said participation has increased significantly in recent years, proving that grad students are hungry for the support.

“GPSA is like having an ear to the ground, and we rely on them heavily. That peer-to-peer support is invaluable,” McVickar said. “The GPSA is there for students to share their issues and ideas. No idea will be met with a no; if a student has an idea, we try to explore if it’s possible.”

Which is how the graduate lounge came to be, after hearing students’ concerns about not having a place to sit, charge their phones and relax while on campus, the GPSA was able to create a graduate lounge in room 118 of Hart Hall.

“It’s a beautiful lounge. It’s a space dedicated for grad students to socialize, study, and relax or to just come grab some free candy,” Harshita said. “It’s really a great space.”

GPSA hosts other events both online and in person throughout the year that include a resume workshop, an interview workshop and tax workshop. Every year the group offers the opportunity for grad students to get free professional headshots that they can use to update their LinkedIn profiles.

“We also host a day in the spring, closer to graduation, where students have the opportunity to come have their photo taken with President Fred Clark on the steps of Boyden,” Angelie said.

Harshita said, GPSA is also family friendly. The group hosted an off-campus event last year at a local farm, where students could bring their families.

All graduate students are automatically part of GPSA once enrolled, and encouraged to attend a meeting, come to an event or follow the club on Instagram at bsu_gpsa, where updates are posted.

“We all need a community on campus, we all need a family and sometimes as a grad student you haven’t found your community, so come to event,” Angelie said, “We are always excited to meet new grad students and chat about programs, what you’re doing, anything!”

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

We all need a community on campus, we all need a family and sometimes as a grad student you haven’t found your community, so come to event. We are always excited to meet new grad students and chat about programs, what you’re doing, anything!

Angelie Castor, G’25

Best Friends as Guides

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 19:34:59 +0000

Best Friends as Guides HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Fri, 12/06/2024 - 14:34

Students help train dogs to assist visually impaired

December 12, 2024

Heather Harris Michonski

Last year, those living on the fifth floor of Crimson Hall may have noticed a special resident living among them, a very friendly one that provided lots of tail wags.

Watkins, 4-month-old black Labrador retriever, arrived on campus to live with Ashley Schepis, ’24, G’26, as part of the Guiding Eyes for the Blind at Bridgewater State University program.

“The ŷ�� community was very welcoming of Watkins, he became a familiar face on campus and people were always really excited to see him and respectful when he was working,” Ashley said.

Originally called Bear Paws for Puppy Paws, the Guiding Eyes at ŷ�� program was started in early 2020 by Dr. Brian Payne, interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, through a partnership with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a New York-based nonprofit organization. Student volunteers are used to train dogs as service animals for the visually impaired.

The program was derailed during COVID, but Ashley took the initiative to bring it back to campus, even serving as president.

“After talking to Dr. Payne, I wanted to make it a club again. I wrote up the constitution, and then had to get people interested,” Ashley said.

Once re-established, Ashley decided to then become a “raiser.”

Raisers work in teams to train dogs over a 12-13 month period. They are given all the information needed to help train the dogs in areas like potty training and teaching basic commands.

The most important part of being a raiser is getting the dogs to socialize. This is key to their development, because once paired with their forever person, the dogs are exposed to a variety of environments and must be able to perform in each.

When Watkins lived with Ashley at ŷ�� ,he went everywhere she did. To class, the dining halls, the residence halls, the Maxwell library, and the walking trails on campus.

“It was a lot, but really rewarding,” Ashley said. “It teaches you to be selfless and responsible.”

Once the training with raisers is complete, the dogs are brought back to Guiding Eyes for the Blind headquarters in New York where they partake in the final leg of training before being matched with someone who is visually impaired.

Saying goodbye to Watkins wasn’t easy, Ashley admits.

“It’s a three-hour drive and I cried the entire way there,” she said. “It was sad to see him go, but you know you’re doing a good thing.”

And when Watkins officially graduated from the program, Ashley got to see him one more time when she was invited back to be part of the ceremony and got to meet the person Watkins was paired with.

“We got to share a dinner, sit, and talk about Watkins, about life in general. It was really nice,” she said.

Since graduating from ŷ�� with a degree in early education and minor in history, Ashley has been working full-time as a kindergarten teacher in Taunton while pursuing her master’s degree in early education, also from ŷ��.

In the future, she plans on raising another dog and hopes other Bridgewater students consider participating in the program as well. For those with questions they can email her at aschepis@student.bridgew.edu.

“There are ways to be involved, other than being a raiser, but most of all it’s a rewarding program to get involved with,” she said. “Bridgewater has a lot to offer, and different ways for students to come together, to meet new people with common interests and become well rounded. I think this program is a really good way for students to get involved in this way.”

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

Bridgewater has a lot to offer, and different ways for students to come together, to meet new people with common interests and become well rounded. I think this program is a really good way for students to get involved in this way.

Ashley Schepis, ’24, G’26