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Fin (Briannah) Lafontant ’28 said she found the “perfect program” when she discovered JWU’s combined combined Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. One of the things she liked most is being able to earn both degrees in as little as five years, shortening her timeline to start her career.

After coming to JWU’s Providence Campus for an orientation session, Fin is even more excited about becoming a JWU Wildcat. She shared some of her background, told us about her journey to JWU and what she is looking forward to most about starting her first year here this coming fall.

Please share a little about your background.

I was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts, and have a younger brother. My parents are both from Haiti and both moved to New York when they were teenagers. They first met at a fashion show in New York.

How do your parents feel about you going away to college?

I think they're nervous, but they're really proud of me. I probably wouldn't be going to JWU without their help. They have supported me and showed me the ropes because they've been through college themselves.

How did you first hear about JWU?

Through a college finder website. I didn't want a school that was too big or in a big city like New York. I work better in tight-knit communities and wanted a place where it is easy to talk to people. I'm a people person.

Why did you choose JWU?

I wanted to go to a school in Providence that has a good psychology program. I want to be a therapist. My mom, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, inspired me and helped me find a program that has what I need for the career I want.

When Johnson & Wales popped up on the website I was using to search for schools, I checked out their psychology program. When I saw that there is an accelerated program I thought, “Whoa, this is perfect!” That's why I didn't look at a lot of colleges. I only applied to three and I was accepted into all three. As soon as I received the acceptance letter from Johnson & Wales, I paid my deposit. I didn't even look back at the other schools. I needed to go to Johnson & Wales.

When you visited JWU Providence, was there anything that stood out to you?

Honestly, it was downtown. I like taking walks in towns where there's a lot to do and you can go down the street and there’s a café. I'm also very big on music. I like going to shows and concerts and Providence has a really good music scene. I'm excited!

Is there anything you would like to share about yourself with other students?

As someone who’s neurodivergent with ADHD, I struggle with a lot with executive dysfunction and getting things done sometimes. In high school I had resources and teachers to help me search for colleges — writing the college letter, the FAFSA process and figuring out which college would be best. It’s important for people to know that if you struggle with that type of neurodivergence you’re not alone.

Will you have help with your challenges at JWU?

Yes. I was accepted into JWU’s Wildcat Learning Effectiveness in Action (LEAP) program. It’s a program that assists students with learning disabilities and executive dysfunction issues to stay on track in college by having a LEAP learning advisor to check in with. It’s great to have someone who gives you that small push to help you do better in college and keep up with things, because you don’t want to get behind in a college class.

Beyond the classroom, how do you like to spend your free time?

I love performing, singing and playing instruments. I play the bass and attempt to play the guitar. I love music and performing arts all around. I also like arts and crafts and I make bracelets sometimes.

I like community service, too — finding an organization that I want to help grow and give them any type of support they need. In high school I helped an organization that is heavy on human rights and accessibility. I also helped the drama club and the environmental club, and was the founder and president of Action Club, which sheds light on things happening at the school ands lets us see what's needed to be done to make it a safe space. I love being involved. That’s why I’m very excited about JWU — I plan to be very involved!

We heard that you had an amazing opportunity — singing at Carnegie Hall!

One of my teachers submitted my name for an audition and I was invited to perform with a youth choir at Carnegie Hall. The next thing you know, after the audition, I was on my way to New York City. It was February 2022 and my dad drove me there. It was a fun father-daughter road trip.

I spent three days with about a hundred other students practicing for our performance. Something I love about music is that it brings you all together. Despite not really knowing people, when you hear them sing, you just connect. It was an interest and talent we all shared. Carnegie Hall is a beautiful place. And it was crazy to be on the same stage that Frank Sinatra performed on!

Welcome to JWU, Fin — we can’t wait to see you on campus this Fall!

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