Being BOLD: Meet the First Class of Scholars

Seven students at Saint Rose were introduced to the community in February as the first group of BOLD Scholars. The BOLD Women’s Leadership Network empowers young women leaders in college to address important issues in their communities. Saint Rose is among only six colleges and universities in the United States to host the network.
The students were chosen after a rigorous review of dozens of applications.

Members of the inaugural class, selected in their junior year at Saint Rose, will live together in the Michelle Cuozzo Borisenok ‘80 House through their May 2020 graduation, as they develop their leadership skills, work to address issues they have prioritized, receive mentoring from women professionals, and learn from Saint Rose President Carolyn J. Stefanco’s research and experiences. The $1 million in BOLD Women’s Leadership Network funding provides significant financial aid for the BOLD Scholars.

A second cohort of scholars will join the program soon.

Arianna Paul
Hometown: Albany, New York
Major: communications; concentration in public relations and advertising
Activities: Colleges Against Cancer advocacy chair, Better Together co-president, Urban Launch Leader for Pathways Program
“I see women being very strong and standing up for the things they believe in.”

Janay Salter
Hometown: Harlem, New York
Major: childhood education/ special education
Activities: member of the Black Student Union executive board, and an after school teacher at Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE) and the Boys and Girls Club of Albany.
“I want my skills and abilities to speak before anything else.”

Belinda Ligotino
Hometown: Ellenville, New York
Major: music industry
Activities: President and CEO of the Rose Record Label Group, member of Music Industry Student Association, manager of the band Hasty Page.
“Every day, I wake up and can say ‘wow I am a Bold Women’s Leader’ and I can inspire other women to be leaders as well.”

Essence Coxum
Hometown: New Paltz, New York
Major: social work
Activities: intercultural
ambassador of ALANA is Leadership, orientation leader, peer mentor, treasurer of the Black Student Union, public relations coordinator for the Commuter Council.
“I feel as though the network of BOLD Women will encourage other women to be bold as well even if they’re not in the network. Hopefully, we can start the conversation.”

Marissa Isabella
Hometown: Lincoln, Rhode Island
Major: accounting
Activities: women’s golf team, Student Athlete Advisory Council
“Our generation will turn it around. Maybe, we will see a woman president in a couple of years.”

Hellen Jumo
Hometown: Kwekwe, Zimbabwe
Major: chemistry,
with minor in biology
Activities: international student orientation leader, resident assistant, natural science tutor
“I feel like there is a need to empower more women in the world so they can do whatever they want to do.”

Nia Brown
Hometown: Washingtonville, New York
Major: biology
Activities: women’s soccer player, youth mentor, recipient of the Theresa Wysolmerski, CSJ, Award for Excellence in Biologye bold as well even if they’re not in the network.
“The regular norms set by previous generations were implemented and women now have to break boundaries and have to push past it and set new norms.”