CCPA student finds a new home and strength to be herself at Binghamton

For Jasper Arey, a low-income, first-generation human development major, choosing Binghamton University was not the culmination of long months spent researching and applying to colleges. It was instinctual.

“I didn’t really look up anything because I didn’t know I was supposed to,” Arey said. “Once I visited Binghamton, I realized that this was somewhere I could make a life for myself.”

During the summer before her freshman year at Binghamton, Arey felt unprepared for the college experience. She credits TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) with preparing her for the expectations of academia and, on a more personal level, making her feel at home.

“TRIO has meant an incredible amount to me. They gave me that sense of family and belonging, so my goal was always to pay that back,” Arey said. “Which is why I’ve been so invested in TRIO, especially our summer program.”

Since then, Arey has been an exemplary student and leader, setting a strong example in the classroom and around campus. She was a teaching assistant in the Human Development 200 and 366 courses, a resident assistant in the Dickinson Health and Wellness Community and has been heavily involved in TRIO.

To Arey, these experiences are not merely résumé builders.

“My number one value is passion. I’ve always been driven in a way that, if I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it right,” she said. “If you’re going to do something in the care sector, then you need to care.”

Arey credits her TRIO academic counselor, Katelyn Newsham, for instilling her with the confidence to pursue a variety of difficult but rewarding extracurriculars. Newsham and other counselors saw opportunities that looked perfect for Arey, like the resident assistant position at Dickinson, and encouraged her to get involved.

“Everything I did, someone tipped me off to, until I realized my own self-worth and abilities,” Arey said. “Having that chance to affirm and build a sense of accomplishment, efficacy and power was necessary.”

Having found that confidence, Arey has established herself as a leader, especially within TRIO. Arey created a now-annual event, called TRIO Talks, where past and present TRIO participants share their individual narratives in a celebration of the program’s success.

Not only was TRIO Talks Arey’s idea, but she largely executed it by herself, Newsham said. Arey spoke first at the event, and Newsham found her captivating.

“Her words seemed simple, with hints of humor and passion, but immediately the room was inspired and excited to hear the rest of the talks,” Newsham said. “Jasper has a unique way of motivating others with her calm demeanor.”

As a lead mentor for TRIO, Arey is candid with the students she leads, speaking honestly to them about topics affecting her personally, including transgender issues. She finds it important to be open about her own lived experience in order to foster an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their own.

“I know that I’ve established myself as a role model to a lot of them; my success helps them recognize their own ability to succeed,” Arey said.

Arey’s combination of academic success, leadership and motivation has not gone unnoticed. In 2018, she received the President’s Award, and this year she received the Chancellor’s Award, a prestigious, state-issued honor.

As to how she balances an often-chaotic schedule during her four years at Binghamton, Arey stresses the importance of self-care, and offers sage-like advice for the construction of a rewarding life.

“We talk about self-care a lot and we usually mean it in the nice, ‘Buy yourself chocolates, drink some wine, run a bath for yourself.’ Those are very true, those are very good things to be doing for yourself,” she said. “There’s also the aspect of self-care where you need to sit down and write x amount of pages for a paper, otherwise you’ll be in hot water tomorrow.

“Self-care isn’t escaping from your life; it’s creating a life you don’t need to escape from.”

Arey applied to graduate school and has narrowed her search down to two top schools she has been accepted into. This is a powerful moment for Arey, as she is the first person in her family ever to attend graduate school.

“It really means everything. The first time that it occurred to me what was happening, I actually started crying. It’s such an enormous achievement,” she said.

“My mom didn’t even finish high school. Getting to where I am now is incredible within itself, but to think that I’m going even further — it’s everything.”

Eventually, Arey said she’d like to be part of a program like the one that helped her.

“Success doesn’t matter if you’re succeeding alone,” Arey said. “Otherwise, what is the point?”