This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Brandeis chapter.
Name: Cassidy Tatun
Year: 2017
Hometown: East Islip, New York
Major: Environmental Science
Minors: Social Justice and Social Policy
Her Campus: What was your most memorable summer moment?
Cassidy Tatun: At the very beginning of the summer, a bunch of my friends and I drove to Six
Flags New England. The whole car ride going there was a lot of fun, singing along to songs on
the playlist we had created and playing other games. It was a really good opportunity to have
conversation because you have to do something in the car for three plus hours!
HC: Why Brandeis?
CT: I’m actually a transfer student. I had previously researched Brandeis and thought it was
amazing, but ended up not applying because I thought I wanted to be an engineer. One of my
good friends from home came here and I would come to visit him. When I was on campus, I was
so comfortable. The flyers and events made it seem like it was the community that I knew I
wanted to be a part of. Brandeis was the only school I applied to to transfer. I have been so
happy with my decision to come here. I feel like I’m learning about something new all the time
because everyone is passionate about so many different things.
HC: What are you involved with on campus?
CT: My biggest involvement on campus is with a group which I helped to establish here last year
called Active Minds. This national organization is all about mental health. Active Minds is
dedicated to decreasing the stigma associated with mental illness in college communities by, in
part, creating a community where students who are in need, are comfortable to seek help. In
addition to working with Active Minds, I am also a tutor with the Waltham group, an
Admissions host, I work at the ethics center, volunteer at the PCC, and am a member of NARAL and
FMLA.
HC: Brandeis has a slew of unique clubs and organizations (cheese club, anyone?). What’s one
that you have yet to do but hope to explore during your time at Brandeis?
CT: There are so many. I love walking around the activities fair! I’d love to make it to the
Cupcake Club meetings. I know that I’m on the listserv but have yet to be able to make it to
any of their events.
HC: What has been your favorite class at Brandeis so far?
CT: Social Justice and Philanthropy. It is through Heller but is an undergraduate course. The
class was relatively small with around twelve students. We got to choose an organization to
work with outside of Brandeis and in our neighboring community. It was an incredible
opportunity to get to know local volunteering organizations.
HC: If you had the opportunity to teach a class about anything, what would you teach about?
CT: Probably something about understanding mental illnesses. More from a personal stand
point, the class would be supportive and really help students understand how hard mental
health issues are and how to deal with them, whether you are experiencing them yourself or helping a
friend.
HC: What do you hope to accomplish before the end of this year?
CT: I want to have a better understanding of what I want to do in my future. I’m learning a lot
through the JBS course that I am taking this semester on environmental science and hope to be
able to apply what I’m learning in that class in the future. I also want to remind myself not to stress
about what’s not important. Oh! And I want to go to Canada.
HC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
CT: Ideally, I want to be working in a non-profit organization either dealing with environmental
justice or mental health.
HC: Describe yourself in three words
Enthusiastic, empathetic, thoughtful.