Juniatian Perspectives
Dana Nelson - Prospect Park, NJ - Class of 2007
President: Womens Group
Member: United Cultures of Juniata College, African-American Student Alliance
POE: Social Work
"Juniata is full of all kinds of people from different backgrounds; socio-economic, political, religious, and ethnic. Coming to school here keeps you on your toes because there are so many perspectives to try to seek and understand; I liked that feeling and I think I could have only gotten that here. This place, along with the people that work here gives you the opportunity to have experiences that you would have never thought possible, or enjoyable. Juniata encourages you to step out of your comfort zone, learn new things, and grow to be a better person. College is all about transitions and Juniata is a great place to experience that."
Ivelisse Melendez - Trenton, NJ Trenton, NJ - Class of 2009
Member: United Cultures of Juniata College, African-American Student Alliance
POE: Social Work
"On the surface Juniata is very challenging for minority students, but the longer you stay here and the more you interact the more you realize that everyone is challenged in some form or fashion. Whether it be learning to work with someone who has chosen an alternative lifestyle, learning to appreciate a new friends political or religious outlooks, transitioning from an urban area to a rural one, or even just passing these hard classes; everyone is challenged."
Abdoul-Azize Seydou - Africa - Class of 2007
POE: English Education
"Juniata is a very comfortable place where people are eager to help. As a Muslim student it seems to me that even though there aren’t a lot of us we are very close, a lot more close then it we were at a bigger school. We were given a space in one of the Residence Halls to hold our daily prayers, and there are local families that provide us with a place to stay and food over breaks. Juniata is a very welcoming place."
Michaela Todd - The Middle East - Class of 2009
Member: African-American Student Alliance, Muslim Student AssociationPOE: Undecided
"People at Juniata are very friendly. For example, being white and growing up in the Middle East my entire life I was always used to being the minority person in my group of friends, so moving to Juniata, where I would be part of the majority of students was a culture shock. Growing up in the Middle East and now having to adjust to American ways was also very difficult for me. It took some getting used to but the people here are nice, respectful, and open-minded, which, along with the friends I have made, has helped me to adjust and learn to really like it here."
Imane Tounsi - Morocco, Africa - Class of 2007
Member: Muslim Student Association, Club International
POE: Politics, Communications
"I am very happy that I came to Juniata. I was in California for 2 months and I never anyone that could relate to me, let alone another Muslim. It was very big, very diverse, but there was not allot of interactions. Juniata is small and intimate, everyone interacts with everyone else, people are more understanding, and they truly care about one another. We are all very close."
Aaron Hodges - Bowie, MD - Class of 2009
Member: African-American Student Alliance, Juniata College Eagles Football Team
"Juniata is very different from what I'm used to, but I like it. It's quiet, its safe, and its definitely a change for the better for me. I came here to learn, and I feel that this is the best environment for me to learn in. I can excel here without worrying about anything else."