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.
A Connected Community
Bryant's purposeful student life delivers co-curricular immersion with an inspiring, collegial community. Students forge deep connections that last a lifetime.
“Bryant has taught me to be an exceptional leader, and we really emphasize experiential learning. I’ve learned how to lead a group of people and how to understand people, and I’ve taken that with me in everything that I’ve done.”
"Bryant has this charm about it. You step on campus and just feel this overwhelming sense of belonging, like you're meant to be here."
“When I came for Admitted Student Open House, I got to meet some of the math professors. They talked about different learning styles and teaching methods. They were really invested in the students and talked about giving extra help in office hours. I liked that small school atmosphere.”