Student Profile: Aaliyah Thomas
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the Chatham experience is the community. In such unprecedented times, I (Abigail Kneuss ‘23), have become increasingly grateful for this community and its members. 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. This week features Aaliyah Thomas ‘24.
Although she is only in her first month at Chatham as a First-Year student, Aaliyah is already making a major impact. She is the Chatham Student Government president for the Class of 2024, a member of the Women’s Swim Team, and a member of the Black Student Union. Learn more about her plans with CSG, her thoughts on Chatham thus far, and her amazing works outside of school below!
Aaliyah Thomas ‘24
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Crafton, PA
Q: How has your college experience been so far?
A: It’s been good! I have been astonished by how much there is to do on campus considering COVID and how small Chatham is. Everyone has been so friendly and I have really enjoyed the multiple meet and greets with people that Chatham has held. I’m a commuter student, so it’s really important for me to have opportunities like that to meet people. Although commuting and COVID make it harder to stay in touch with students I do meet, I’m hopeful that I will gain close relationships within this year or next.
Q: Why did you pick Chatham?
A: I was initially drawn to Chatham because of this really great admissions counselor, Drucella. She was just so personable; she would recognize me in a group of hundreds of students and genuinely talk to me. When I toured, I met my swim coaches and they were very welcoming as well. I also love how beautiful the campus is. Being from Pittsburgh, it’s nice to be on such a peaceful and stunning campus; it’s almost like a bubble from the rest of the city.
Q: Congratulations on your new elected position! What’s in the works for you and CSG?
A: Right now, my associates and I are working on this big project to start putting free feminine hygiene products across campus. We are going to call them “red stop” boxes and we will be placing them in the women’s, men’s, and gender-neutral bathrooms. It will be a give-and-take situation where you can donate unused feminine hygiene products or take what you need. We don’t ever want a student to be worried about getting something so essential for their health. Beyond that, we are looking into ways we can include more diversity on campus and build community here.
Q: What drew you to nursing?
A: I’ve known that I wanted to be in the medical field my whole life. I started shadowing an anesthesiologist in seventh grade at UPMC Shadyside. I originally wanted to be a doctor, but after considering how much schooling and debt that entails, I decided to pursue nursing. I currently work as a nursing assistant in the ICU unit at Allegheny General Hospital where I help out the nurses in any way that I can.
Q: You’re busy! Outside of your studies and work, what do you enjoy doing?
A: I’m a writer and have been published nine times. Most recently, I was published in an anthology here in Pittsburgh that was released in February. The other authors and I were planning a national tour before COVID, but we are looking to do it virtually now. I write a lot of self-identity pieces and am currently working on writing my first novel. My mentor, Deesha Philyaw, is amazing and has guided me so much in my work. Through her, I’ve gotten to write reviews for the Post Gazette and worked with so many talented writers from all walks of life.
Q: What’s something you want to get out of your first year of college?
A: As a nursing student, there is a lot expected of us. It’s an accelerated program, so sometimes I feel like I’m running out the door with my sophisticated pants on and I’m tripping over them a bit. I am looking forward to growing not just as a nurse, but as an individual, and learning how to serve people the best that I can. I’m also looking to have fun!
To read Aaliyah’s published works follow the links below!
“Trespass” (pg 111)
“Coffin Birth” (pg 130)