By Alissa Martin ’27
Have you ever heard the saying, “it takes a village”? Well, here at Pomona College, that village is very real.
Mine is built by caring faculty and collaborative peers. It’s shaped by Professor Muzikar and Professor Vasquez, by Chris, Eze, Kelvin, and Haddi. Each bringing their own care and support.
During my first year at Pomona, chemistry was a challenge, and navigating college life felt overwhelming at times. In moments of struggle, my village was there. When I was feeling anxious about an exam or just stressed in general, these people were my village.
Pomona is a place where relationships truly matter. Where you learn to lean on your village to support you. The small but strong community here is a great benefit of being at a small institution.
I remember one night before a big chemistry exam, Chris, Eze and Haddi stayed up with me in the department computer lab, reviewing practice problems even though they had their own exams and assignments due the next day. This wasn’t a one time occurrence, it happened on multiple occasions.
Those moments stuck with me. Not just because of the academic help, but because they reminded me that I wasn’t alone. I had people who believed in me, who wanted to see me succeed.
Looking back, I see how much my village has shaped me. I’ve become more confident, more willing to ask for help, and more eager to offer help to others. Whether it was office hours, a late-night study session, or a spontaneous check-in over lunch or text, each interaction built a safety net that allowed me to thrive as a first-generation student.
Now, as I continue my journey at Pomona, I try to be that village for others too. Because here, a village isn’t just the people around you, it’s the people who show up for you, and the people you choose to show up for.