Written by Eduardo Imbert
Edited by Sammi Mcgiveron
Interviewed by Alyssa Alayon and Eduardo Imbert
Cadence, a rising senior at SUNY Geneseo, is a shining example of how SUNY Geneseo's Individualized Studies Program, which gives students the unique opportunity to select their own major, can lead to both academic and personal success. Cadence originally came to Geneseo with the sense that she should declare a standard major simply in order to make her immigrant parents happy, but she was unsure. She tried a number of other subjects, including Russian, accounting, and sociology, but none of them seemed to fit. It was not until she visited the Career Design Center that she had her breakthrough.
Cadence discovered that she could create her own curriculum, and “When I came to campus, I came in undeclared. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my college education,” Cadence explained. “Both of my parents are immigrants, so the mentality going into college was: you go, you get your degree, you get your job, you make money, you find a stable career path.” Her initial ideas of possible careers were limited to “teacher, lawyer, plumber, doctor.” None of them resonated. Even though her parents initially objected, Cadence embraced the chance to follow her own passions. She ended up designing a major in Visual Communication and Production, blending communication, visual arts, film, and dance to reflect her passions and cultural heritage.
By creating her own major, Cadence was able to pursue an education driven by curiosity and inventiveness. She realized that the performing and visual arts were more than just recreational activities; they were powerful tools for promoting intercultural communication and narrative. Cadence’s education isn’t just confined to the classroom. One of her proudest accomplishments is the mural Brodie by Day, a vibrant painting that now lives right outside the MacVittie College Union. Created with the help of more than 30 student collaborators. “I saw this wall and this disparity, and I said, art needs to be here,” she said. “It was so 1000% worth it. It made me realize how much I love bringing art to people who don’t always get the opportunity to do that.”
Her passion for collaboration and storytelling extends to performance as well. As a participant in dance showcases like Original Xpressions and Orchesis, Cadence found community and expression. “There’s something so beautiful about performing with people who share the same love for dance, even if their experience levels are different,” she said. “To see them come together and make something so beautiful—it just keeps me going.”
Geneseo's option of flexible studies and promotion of individually designed studies, Cadence's own motivation, and the values instilled by her single-mindedly dedicated parents are the primary reasons for her success, along with the help of her adviser from the Communication Department, Dr. Herman, who also went to college and graduated with an individualized major degree. He motivates other students to be daring and maximize their college experience by discovering what really interests them.
Cadence is now able to pass the wisdom along and give advice to fellow students who are still unsure in which direction to go. She mentioned she would encourage them to give themselves space and time. "You have the rest of your life to figure out what you really want to do," she said. "Use these four years to attempt to do something you actually think you might be interested in." She includes thoughts on finding one's passions and drive.
For Cadence, her drive mainly comes from a deep awareness of the privilege and responsibility of education. She mentioned during the interview, “Coming from an immigrant background, I’ve seen my parents work so hard. This opportunity—not everyone gets it, especially not as a woman. I don’t want to take a single second of it for granted.”
Cadences' path is a testament to the power of creating your own way, even when it defies others' expectations. Through creativity, courage, and the help of some wise mentors and others in her life, Cadence turned her passions into a cause. Her story is a reminder that college is not merely choosing a major—college is about discovering who you are and how you plan to make your mark.