Though Shaun ’25 and Nicole ’26 came from much different backgrounds, their experiences share a common thread. Both communication and child and family studies double majors sought a place to grow academically and personally, and both found that place at Berea College.
Shaun, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, had always been surrounded by the beauty of the islands. However, by the time he reached high school, he knew he wanted something different.
“I needed a change of pace, to experience life outside of the island,” he said.
When he learned about Berea College, it seemed like the perfect place to explore new academic and personal horizons. At first, he wasn’t sure what to expect from Kentucky, associating it only with Kentucky Fried Chicken, bourbon and horse racing.
“I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I had to take a chance,” he said. His decision was influenced by the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave him time to think about his future.
“The pandemic made me realize I needed to go somewhere that challenged me,” Shaun said.
Nicole, who grew up in Louisville with her grandparents, always dreamed of leaving home to explore more of the world. Berea College’s focus on providing access to higher education for students from underserved backgrounds aligned perfectly with her aspirations.
“I saw Berea as a chance to grow in a way that wasn’t possible where I was,” she said. Despite the close-knit community she had at home, Nicole was eager to pursue something else.
Both students faced challenges adjusting to their new environments. Shaun, accustomed to Hawai‘i’s laid-back lifestyle, found Kentucky’s culture very different.
“It was a huge change. The food, the social norms, everything was so different,” he said.
However, he soon appreciated Berea’s support system, particularly through the Berea Bridge Program, which helped him adjust. “It was crucial in helping me understand how to navigate this new life,” he said.
Nicole also struggled emotionally when leaving behind her tightly knit family and friends. “I was scared to leave, but I knew it was something I had to do for myself,” she said. While facing academic challenges, she found solace in the supportive community at Berea. “It was hard, but I found strength in the friendships I made here,” she said.
Both students initially struggled academically but found their paths in time. Shaun started in engineering technologies and applied design (ETAD) but quickly realized it wasn’t a good fit. “I was over my head, and I wasn’t passionate about it,” he said. “I did not enjoy the path that seemed predetermined for me.”
After reevaluating his goals, he decided to pursue a double major in communication and child and family studies. “It felt like the right fit, where I could blend my interest in helping others with my love for communication,” he said.
Nicole, too, shifted her focus and decided on a double major in communication and child and family studies. “I always loved reading and writing, but it wasn’t until I started my coursework that I realized I wanted to teach,” she said.
Over time, both Shaun and Nicole embraced the challenges they faced and grew stronger because of them. Shaun learned to push through academic obstacles. “I learned how to embrace challenges, not run from them,” he said.
College has pushed me to grow, not just as a student but as a person.
Nicole ’26
For Nicole, the experience has been equally transformative. “College has pushed me to grow, not just as a student but as a person,” she said.
Berea gave me the chance to be who I really am and who I want to be.
Shaun ’25
Their experiences at Berea have shaped their futures. Shaun is now considering a career in academia, hoping to pursue a Ph.D. in psychology or social science. “I want to make a difference in how people understand human behavior and development, communication and psychology to make a difference in society and help people,” he said.
Nicole aspires to become a professor and continue her academic journey. “Teaching is my passion, and I want to give back by helping others achieve their dreams the way Berea has helped me,” she said.
Shaun and Nicole’s stories are testaments to the power of education and the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. They arrived at Berea College seeking new opportunities and, in doing so, discovered not only new academic paths but new versions of themselves.
As Shaun said, “Berea gave me the chance to be who I really am and who I want to be.”
Nicole echoed this sentiment: “Berea is where I found my purpose.”
