Student spotlight: Andrumada Edwards

We had a chance to chat with Andrumada Edwards–a driven student who prioritizes community engagement and self-care to better those around her. Let’s listen in!

What is your hometown?

Seattle, WA. Always reppin’ the Central District! It is very different now because it’s very gentrified, but I don’t think I’ll ever call anywhere else home.

How did you choose PLU?

I attended the student of color overnight at PLU my senior year and fell in love with the community and campus. After that PLU became my #1 choice!

What is your major (or intended major) if known?

Gender, Sexuality and Race Studies (GSRS). I came to PLU as an intended Business major but I fell in love with my major when I took the Intro to GSRS class and declared my major while I was still in the class!

What are your long-term goals, beyond your dream job? How do you hope to make a positive impact on your community or the world?

I want to engage people in conversations around race, gender, and justice. Whatever I can do to have people willing to engage in this work critically think, I’ll do it. My ‘dream job’ is whatever I can do to live out my values, nothing specific.

Any clubs, activities, or involvements you are a part of outside of class?

I’m a Rieke Scholar, which is a scholarship for students committed to Diversity, Justice and Sustainability. I’m a DJS Assistant working under the Center for Diversity, Justice and Sustainability at PLU. I used to be more involved in Black Student Union, and Sista Circle, but life has gotten to me. Lastly, of course, a CSF scholar.

What has been the most surprising thing for you so far about college?

How much college has altered my brain positively. My major has changed the way I think, full stop. My relationships that I’ve built with people have helped me understand my value for community. Also, my relationship with myself has grown in ways I never could have dreamed.

What is a challenge you have encountered in college and how did you navigate it? (Or how are you navigating it?)

Struggling with my mental health. I let myself fail and feel. If I needed a day I would take it, if I had to take a L on an assignment, I’d let myself do that, because I come first. 

What student supports / resources have you utilized that have been most helpful to you?

My mentors, I have a lot. My therapist. Eva Frey. PLU accommodations. My friends. My family. CSF. The Good Trouble Fund. Myself.

What is one piece of advice you’d like to share with fellow students?

HAVE FUN. Obviously, college is about getting your education, but to me, the connections you make are what you’ll remember, not question 17 on your history test. 

Are there any mentors, role models, or influential figures in your life who have inspired you to pursue higher education?

Many. Lynn Zweber, my elementary school Mom. Mr.Zimmerman and Nathan Simoneaux, my Queer High School teachers whom I love dear. Angie Hambrick and Jennifer Smith, my mentor-ish people at PLU. Molly, my old therapist. My Nana, Paulette Rivers. Myself.

How do you balance your academic responsibilities with your personal life and any additional commitments, such as family obligations or work?

Something that I don’t have figured out yet. I feel like there will always be an ebb and flow where you value something more over something else, you just have to figure out what you value more.