At Castleton, students are often encouraged to make a difference here before making a difference in the world. Raynolds Awusi took that advice to heart, finding opportunities to become involved in initiatives that he cares about, particularly those relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“My favorite thing about Castleton is the ability to stand up for things you believe in,” he said. “There are people around Castleton who are willing to not only listen to your concerns but help in finding a solution for those concerns.”
Awusi, who was born in Ghana and raised in Germantown, Maryland, began his academic career at Southern Vermont College, before transferring to Castleton. The Management major chose Castleton, in large part, due to how easy the University made transferring his credits, allowing him to stay on track for graduation. He also liked Castleton’s small class sizes and the ability to connect with professors one-on-one.
“In the beginning, I felt a bit lost because I was new, but as I began to know people, I started to really enjoy Castleton,” he said.
Awusi has been leading the efforts to form an official NAACP chapter on Castleton’s campus, which he expects will be approved this summer. He was instrumental in the raising of the Black Lives Matter flag on campus last year. These, he says, are some of his favorite memories from his time at Castleton.
Awusi also serves as a Student Government Association delegate and as a representative on Castleton’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. In his collegiate career, he also participated in a number of sports, including soccer and track.
He credits Castleton faculty and staff with mentoring him and preparing him for life after Castleton.
“I have a few faculty and staff who have mentored me since I arrived at Castleton. They’ve helped me with my professional communicative skills, as well as crafting a plan for when I graduate,” he said. “They’ve also taught me ways to approach situations.”
After graduating, Awusi plans to continue his dedication of service, but this time to our country.
“I am currently focused on creating a diverse community in Castleton, but after graduation, I have Marine officer training in September,” he said.