GPI - Emma Laurie Program Coordinator, Center for Inclusive Excellence

By Sophia Oppedisano Editor-in-Chief

Courtesy of Emma Laurie

What is your academic and professional background? I graduated from Framingham State in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in criminology with minors in psychology and sociology. Before that, I earned my associate's degree in liberal arts at MassBay Community College, and then I transferred to FSU. I interned at the Center for Inclusive Excellence during my senior year of college, and then when I graduated, the person who was in my position before me actually quit, and my former boss reached out to me, and he asked, “Do you want to apply for this job?” and I said, “Yeah, that sounds really cool.” I had no idea I wanted to go into higher education. When I graduated with the criminology degree, I thought I wanted to go into nonprofit work, maybe doing something with unhoused people - that sort of thing. I was freshly 22 at the time, and I was like, “OK, sure, I'll do this for a little bit, and then I'll find my footing and do something else.” So this job was actually my first job in higher education. I did this part-time, and then I also worked at MassBay part-time as an educational coach for their transitional scholars program, helping disabled students transition from high school to college. So I was an educational coach over there part-time, and then a program coordinator over here part-time. … I realized within that first year that I really wanted to do higher education, and luckily, after that first year, Framingham State got the funding to offer me a full-time position. I've been in this position, really, my whole post-grad life. What do you love about working at Framingham State? I personally love how close-knit of a community it is. I know that's something that everyone says, but genuinely, I drive past Worcester State, I drive past WPI, I drive past all these colleges that are so big and large, and I'm like, I run into people I know all the time at Framingham State! I could not imagine working on a campus where I do not see someone I know every day. I love how close-knit of a community it is. … Everyone cares for everyone. Everyone will go out of their way to help and support people as much as they can. I love how tight-knit a community it is - that's my favorite part. What do you enjoy about working in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space? I like when the work that you do ties to someone's livelihood, someone's identity, that sort of thing. So, really putting on programming and events that a student will come to, and you can see the look on their face when they step in, and they're like, “Oh, this is my identity. My identity is being recognized and represented.” Just being able to see the look on their face when they see that somebody's acknowledging [their identity] is my favorite part about working in diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially because colleges and universities were originally made for one group of people to attend. I really love that. I work and I live in a space that embraces diversity and different identities, and celebrates them. I think it's really great to be able to do that every day. Do you have any hobbies or things you love to do outside of your professional life? I've been baking a lot recently! I've been really loving to bake. I wish I could say I do more than watch really trashy reality TV when I get home, but sometimes, you just need to decompress like that. I love going on hikes. I love thrifting, reading, all these sorts of grandmother hobbies. If you could give a piece of advice to students at Framingham State, what would it be? The biggest thing is to get involved with clubs and organizations, specifically because you are paying so much money for tuition. You should utilize every opportunity you can to do stuff that you will not be able to do when you graduate. For example, clubs like Black Student Union, the Outing Club, and the History Club all do these really cool trips. They go to Washington D.C., they go to Six Flags, they go to museums, and I always tell freshmen, once you graduate, these things are going to cost big bucks. … You will not be able to do this when you graduate. Do all of these things, get involved, make friends, make these connections. I would not have this job if I didn't put myself out there and join clubs and organizations, and I get it - when I was a freshman, I really just wanted to go to class and pass - that was my biggest thing. But had I not stuck around for that extra hour to go to SGA meetings, go to a club that even semi-interested me, I would not have been able to do all these things that I do now. I would not have this job. I would not have all these experiences that I've had. … I'm able to go on these trips as a staff member that I otherwise wouldn't be able to do for that. So I would say, put all of your tuition to use. You're paying not just for classes, but you're paying for resources. You're paying for opportunities. Use that and join as many things as you can. Utilize all the resources you can. Go on all the trips. Go for all the experiences.