Student Profile: Chenoa Baker
During my first year at Chatham, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23) have noticed that so many interesting people attend Chatham, and our sense of community is strong, even during hard times. In an effort to showcase just a few of these great people, I’ll be doing a series of student interviews in the coming weeks. These highlights are for students, about students, and by students. For this segment, I am featuring Chenoa Baker ‘21.
When I first met Chenoa, I was intrigued by her major, Cultural Studies, and all that it encompasses. Through talking with her, I have learned that her interests are as broad as her major is. Not only is she a lover of the arts, museum curation, and tea, but she is also a freelance writer and active advocate for diversity both at Chatham and in her hometown. I recently caught up with her to see how her interests have played out during quarantine.
Chenoa Baker ‘21
Major: Cultural Studies with Minors in Art History and Museum Studies
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Q: What does a day in the life of a Cultural Studies major look like?
A: As a Cultural Studies major, I study the foundations of culture through art, pop culture, literature, and historical texts. A lot of my time is spent between the English and History departments. I might be studying theory in the Art and Design Center with Prajna one day, and studying Oral History in Coolidge the next. Oral Histories, Neighborhoods, and Race is an essential class for a Cultural Studies major. When I took it, we studied how race impacts urban development and even got to record oral histories of people in the Homewood neighborhood in Pittsburgh.
Q: What are you involved with at Chatham?
A: Currently, I am in the R.I.S.E. Program in which I am a mentor for new students of color at Chatham. I was an Orientation Leader last year, and I am also an appointed member of the Diversity & Inclusion Council. The council reviews different Chatham policies and works to constantly improve upon Chatham’s inclusivity. We just implemented maps of where all gender-inclusive restrooms are on campus and are looking into getting more gender-inclusive restrooms installed.
Q: What have you been doing in quarantine to stay busy?
A: I’ve been doing remote internships and writing blogposts for different clients. I’ve also been reaching out and connecting with some curators that I admire who might not otherwise have the time to talk with me outside of quarantine. I am also working on a project with the 100 Black Men organization in my hometown to help create an African American Museum in Syracuse. Besides that, I’ve been Facetiming with friends and making tea every day. I am a huge tea lover!
Q: You say you love tea, do you have a favorite at Café Rachel?
A: Hmm that’s a hard one. I usually alternate between a Chai Tea Latté and Black Peach Tea but if it’s the fall, I also like a good hot cider.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: My plans have changed a bit as I’ve considered the situation the world is facing right now with COVID-19. Before COVID, I wanted to be a curator inside a museum for African Arts at large, but now I’m reconsidering what my career is going to look like. Right now, I’m looking into starting my own editorial and curatorial agency that both helps with editing work and helping people curate shows.
Q: What’s your favorite class that you have taken?
A: My class, Curating African Art, really sparked my interest in the area. It was hands-on and we got to work with an actual collection of over 600 objects ranging from the 18th-20th century. Me and my fellow classmates co-curated to create an exhibit on animal symbolism in African Art.
Q: Why did you choose Chatham?
A: I liked the Chatham student “stereotype” of someone who is super feminist, super sustainable, and wanting to change the world. I also love that it’s located in a city that’s as artsy and trendy as Pittsburgh. Plus, Chatham has been really helpful financially for me from the start.
Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for the Chatham community right now?
For fellow students, I would definitely suggest staying busy and looking for work, like freelancing, that they can do remotely. Now is a good time to really figure out what you want to do. Try out working for places in your fields of interest. Drink tea with someone virtually to calm your nerves! It’s really important to practice self-care right now. Reach out to campus counseling services, exercise, and do spiritual practices.