Cianni Thomas ’23
Thanks to Bryant, Cianni Thomas ’23 can take her career path in any direction she wants. A human resource management major and vice president of the Multicultural Student Union, her experiences in leadership, event planning, and DEI make her a strong candidate for many future opportunities.
Why did you choose Bryant?
I like to say that Bryant chose me. When I was a senior in high school, I had no dream school in mind. I was going through a list of colleges in the New England area trying to find the right fit for me, and I happened to see Bryant University. It had so many majors that caught my attention, and it really adhered to my values. I wanted a school that had amazing academics, great professors, and an amazing graduation rate, and Bryant University had all of that combined.
How has Bryant prepared you for your future career?
I’m really grateful for my Bryant education because it’s made me realize that I have a lot of options when it comes to career pathways. I’m interested in human resource management, and I also really like event planning and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Bryant has made me realize that I can do anything.
What’s your favorite place on campus?
My favorite place on campus is the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. That’s where I work, that’s where I hang out, and that’s where I see all my friends. We have programs that are specifically tailored for multicultural students, and we also have organizations such as the Multicultural Student Union and International Student Organization.
What are a few highlights of your Bryant experience?
During my time at Bryant I became the vice president for the Multicultural Student Union. It was a great honor for me because I wanted to have more leadership roles on campus, and my senior year I was in charge of Extravaganza. Extravaganza is easily one of my favorite events. I’m really interested in fashion and clothes and art. I was a model for two years. My senior year I took over the event, and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. From the people who were involved, to the clothes that I had, everything came together in this amazing culmination of culture.
What advice would you give to future Bulldogs?
Put yourself out there. Join a lot of clubs and organizations. That way you can make many friends and discover new interests. For me personally, I was in everything. I was in the Chinese club, MSU, Black Women’s Blueprint, and the Society for Human Resource Management. It’s great because I was able to make new friends, and I’m still able to cultivate relationships to this day.
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Bryant's purposeful student life delivers co-curricular immersion with an inspiring, collegial community. Students forge deep connections that last a lifetime.
“When you come to a new country as an international student, you don’t know anything. The culture is completely different. Bryant has been great because I never felt homesick or bored. My professors helped me gain confidence. They helped me find my place at Bryant and made me who I am today.”
“Bryant truly helped me develop my passion for accounting, supported my career development and interview skills, and ultimately helped get me a full-time job as a tax staff member at Citrin Cooperman.”
“International business is something I’ve always wanted to do. I knew that Bryant had a really good program, and I liked that you had to study abroad as part of the curriculum. I also like the 99% success rate. I’m a first-generation student, so it was important to me to know I would have a job after graduation.”