WASHINGTON, PA (May 15, 2019)—At Washington & Jefferson College (W&J), we pride ourselves on our partnerships with other institutions that provide pathways to higher education. Through our Charles West Scholars Program, W&J’s Office of Diversity and Leadership Initiatives provides unique programming and service opportunities for black-identifying students from Pennsylvania.
As the graduation nears, we are preparing to say goodbye to seniors in the program. While we’re sad to see them go, we’re so proud of the work they have done. We asked business administration major Joshua Lacks ’19 about his experience at W&J. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: What were your feelings about the Charles West Scholars Program when you first came to W&J?
A: I felt like it was resource I could use, and a very family-built environment. People I looked up to and respected were in the program. I felt like we were one big, happy family.
Q: What aspect of the Charles West Scholars program had the greatest impact on you and why?
A: The biggest aspect that impacted me in the program was the connections we made whether it be Ketwana (Schoos, former assistant dean of student life for inclusive campus engagement) or other African American Professors. We felt like we were not alone, and always had a place to go for any stressful situations
Q: How do you feel it enhanced your experience at W&J?
A: I feel like it enhanced my experience because I got to meet different people from both the Charles West and Yes Prep programs. I got to really make a difference to people in the community through charity events. I feel more well-rounded. I can always learn something different from people in the program. The discussions we have are very thought-provoking, so you get different perspectives from people of different backgrounds.
Josh plans to enter the job force in sales or marketing following graduation and is currently in the interview process for an intern position with a professional sports team.
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a selective liberal arts college founded in 1781. Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional arts and sciences curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent study work. For more information about W&J, visit washjeff.dev, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
