Class of 2022 Student Spotlight: Meah Austin

Name: Meah Austin

Hometown: Waterbury, Conn.

Major: Psychology and Africana Studies double major

Campus Activities: Black Student Union E-board member; Head Peer Mentor for the Mentor Program; Varsity Track & Field (captain); Women of Color Athletes (co-founder and co-chair); Patriot League Student-Athletes of Color Coalition (member); Research (thesis on Black alumnae of the College); Audio-Visual work-study student; Odyssey mentor; Gateways Summer Orientation Leader; Previous Vice President for the Class of 2022

Please share a turning point or significant memory from your time at Holy Cross.

A significant memory for me was my first year, fall semester (2018) when I attended all of the BSU's 50th Anniversary events. This experience shaped my four years on the Hill, as it showed me the power of the Holy Cross community, and how I can actively celebrate and uplift the Black population of this community. It further showed me that there is an enduring and beautiful legacy at Holy Cross that I want to carry on, leading me to my recent research learning the experiences of Black alumnae of the College and presenting my findings campus-wide.

Name two or three items/lessons from Holy Cross that you’ll take with you after leaving Mount St. James.

The first is versatility. My experience at Holy Cross has taught me how to pivot and move no matter what obstacles and hiccups I may face. The second is self and communal affirmations. My college experience has aided my ability to celebrate myself and others, no matter what and how we do. Through my experience, I realized that there is always something to affirm, something to admire within myself and others. Likewise, I learned that affirmations to oneself and to others go a long way in aiding growth, building confidence, and sustaining motivation.

What’s next?

Next, I will be working remotely as a Growth Manager for XOMAD, a marketing agency based in California that connects with social media influencers to spread messages for both the private and public sectors. I will also remain closely tied to Holy Cross through alumni involvement. Finally, I hope to intentionally reconnect with Waterbury through volunteering and community involvement.