Commencement stories: Graduates reflect on their time as Lakers

Moesha Jones is graduating with a bachelor's degree in women, gender and sexuality studies. After taking a first-year Introduction to Gender Studies class, she was hooked.

"It's just very interesting," Jones said. "We were talking about minorities and disadvantaged people; we were talking about people with disabilities. I loved it and was like, 'What if I just make this my major?' I don't think there's been one WGS class that I did not like."

That introductory class opened doors for her, Jones said, eventually bringing her to her current job as a front desk worker at the Milton E. Ford LGBT Center. The position is one of many she's had as a student putting herself through college, and she's considering working at a nonprofit with a similar mission to the LGBT Center after graduation.

While working multiple jobs limited some of her opportunities in school, Jones has still been involved in a wide variety of student organizations, including Uniting Nations, which brings international students together to find community and learn more about American culture.

"My old roommate was actually the president of it," Jones said. "So I got roped in and thought it was really fun."

In addition to Uniting Nations, Jones has also been involved in KPop Evolution, Black Excellence and Black Student Union. "Being at a PWI, it's really nice and refreshing to find other people within the same community as me that share the same culture," she said.

Jones has also received multiple scholarships throughout her time at Grand Valley and was this year's recipient of the Jean Enright Scholarship , which awards WGS students demonstrating a commitment to gender equity in their community and on campus.

"A lot of people applied, and for me to get it and have my professor present the award, that was really big," said Jones.

The faculty members in her program are another big reason for why she chose it. She especially credits Ayana Weekley, associate professor, who taught that initial Introduction to Gender Studies class and others that Jones has taken since.

"Dr. Weekley is super sweet and very encouraging," said Jones. "She pushes me anytime I want to be lazy or slack a little bit in class. If no one wants to answer, she'll just pick me and be like, 'I know you have something to say about this.' She definitely gets me out of my shell."

As her time at Grand Valley comes to an end, Jones has learned how to deal with a hectic schedule and balancing jobs, classes and everything else - though it took awhile.

If she could give one piece of advice to newer students, Jones said it would be simple: Ask for help when you need it.

"You do not have to do it all by yourself," she said. "Whether it's for academics or social problems or whatever, just ask for help and take care of yourself."

- By Julianna Schrier

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