Part of a series with Rowan University’s Wellness Center, this collaboration aims to educate students about personal well-being options. For further updates, follow @rowanuwellness on social. Written Wellness Center intern Alexa D, law & justice studies major For many college students, graduation means uncertainty. Students leave a place of structure and clear-cut responsibilities to enter the […]
diversity and inclusion
MBA Student Shares Global Insight and Career Goals
Meet Sarah A, an international student from Uganda. Sarah is a Master’s of Business Administration student in the William G. Rohrer College of Business, and a part of the 2024 graduating class. Today she shares with us her student experience and advice for international students. “I started with getting my undergraduate degree in Public Administration […]
Rowan Helped Kit L. Embrace Their Identity
Today, we hear from Kit L (they/them), a rising senior psychology major with minors in Africana studies and women & gender studies. They are from Millville, NJ (Cumberland County) and a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Can you describe your involvement on campus? “I am the president and founder of a new club on campus […]
#PROFspective: Devon C on Living with a Hidden Disability
Today, we hear from Devon C, senior biological sciences major from Williamstown, NJ (Gloucester County). Devon is sharing her story of living with an invisible disability. Would you mind sharing your experience with your disability? “I have a rare invisible disability called Idiopathic Hypersomnia. The best way I can describe it to someone is that it’s […]
Community Garden: Fighting Food Insecurity From Home
Mariana Cardenas (she/her/ella) of the Rowan Environmental Action League (REAL) discusses how Rowan University’s Community Garden helps fight food insecurity on campus. Mariana is a Rowan Global student in the M.A. in Diversity and Inclusion program. She earned her degree here at Rowan in Psychology with a Sociology minor and a Certificate of Undergraduate Study […]
First Rowan Student to Earn Diversity and Inclusion Certificate of Graduate Study [VIDEO]
LaWana Boone of Gloucester County, NJ chose Rowan’s Diversity and Inclusion Certificate of Graduate Study for its rigorous curriculum, classes both online and close to home, and opportunities to get involved on campus. This fall, she earned her graduate certificate — the first to do so — and plans to leverage her knowledge to help […]
Finding My Path and Passion with an English Degree
Meet guest Rowan Blog contributor Nicole Tota of Marlton, NJ (Burlington County), who recently earned her degree in English from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She now pursues her master’s degree in Higher Education: Advising at Rowan Global. Here, Nicole candidly shares her degree brought more career questions than answers until she ultimately […]
Rowan Global Student Shay Williams: Earning a Master’s in Diversity and Inclusion
Shay Williams, a Rowan Global student in the M.A. in Diversity and Inclusion program, shares her experience coming back to school after years of field experience.
Rowan alumna Shay Williams did not take the traditional route of obtaining her bachelor’s degree. She took a five-year break and acquired experience in the field.
After working in social work, she decided to gain her master’s degree during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I didn’t think it was productive that everyone I worked with had the same experiences or same degree. That’s why I wanted to get my master’s in diversity — it was needed in the field. The last five years really guided me professionally, so I knew this would be something I wanted to do,” she explains.
Shay decided to obtain her master’s in diversity and inclusion at Rowan because she completed her undergraduate degree at Rowan. “A degree at Rowan has credibility. That name on a resumé really carries weight.”
A unique challenge that Shay has experienced in the program so far is the coursework. “Working full time and earning a master’s degree is a lot. Two classes were way too much, so I’m taking my time and taking one class. I plan on also taking classes in the summer to finish on time,” she says.
Shay speaks to influential faculty at Rowan. “Dr. Sullivan, director of the … program, is awesome. She is really good at igniting passion in her students. All staff at Rowan are really engaged.”
After earning her master’s degree, Shay “wants to stay in social services and maybe publish one day. There is a diversity and inclusion department office with my current employer, so I’m looking forward to seeing where the degree takes me.”
After asking Shay to offer advice for people who want to earn their master’s in diversity, she replied: “Take time for yourself after a triggering topic. Take 30 minutes to do something for yourself. Try not to internalize these heavy topics and carry them with you. Don’t let what you’re learning stop you from living your own life.”
Like what you see?
Story by:
Loredonna Fiore, junior public relations and advertising major
Photography by:
Stephanie Batista, sophomore music industry major