A New Continent, A New Home: May Their Aye ’12, ’14M, ’21MFA
Before earning three degrees from Arcadia University, May Their Aye ’12, ’14M, ‘21MFA, researched schools to attend in the United States from her home in Myanmar (formerly Burma). She soon discovered Arcadia, and sight unseen, was on a flight to her ‘new home’ in Glenside.
May was drawn to Arcadia through her analysis of the learning environment. She says, “The small class sizes stood out to me. The 1:1 attention really caught my eye. The professors knowing my name is a big deal. I did not want to feel like a number on a campus, but rather part of a school that is inclusive.” Unaware at the time, the University would be the perfect place for her to expand her worldview and indulge in her academic passions.
Their Aye had such a great experience studying for her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education that she went on to obtain her first Masters Degree in Health Education at Arcadia. During her time studying for her second Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University, she was hired as the Coordinator of Diversity Programs and Initiatives. “I worked with a lot of diverse student-leaders, and I truly loved that atmosphere and energy,” she explains about that experience. “A few years in, a group of students wanted to create a new club on campus. I became the KPOP (Korean popular music) Club Advisor, and I assisted the group with creating bylaws and getting the club approved.” Through guiding the group, May was able to see them flourish and it helped make her feel like she was making a difference. “I really learned that collaboration is key, not just authoritative direction,” she continued.
Now, in her current role as an administrative assistant for the Office of Alumni Relations at Thomas Jefferson University, she gets to navigate department policies and help refine existing processes to make it easier for others. “Arcadia provided me with the knowledge base to succeed, and I found invaluable mentorship there, too.” What’s more, Arcadia’s Natasha Patterson, adjunct professor of Community and Global Public Health, acted as one of May’s mentors. May said, “Because of our connection, I have been serving on the Board of the Health Sparks Foundation for two years. It’s very fulfilling.”
When May returns to Arcadia’s campus, the faculty and professors are enthusiastic about her presence. It’s evident that her active engagement across campus lent invaluable support, and she continues to do so through the Arcadia University Alumni Association (AUAA). She has carried on uplifting Arcadia’s mission and values through donor giving, volunteerism, and ambassadorship. “I work in Philadelphia, so Arcadia’s campus has become a little nature getaway for me. I get invigorated when I step foot on campus. It restores the energy within me.”
Their Aye is consistent in pursuing a strong connection with her alma mater’s community. “It is an opportunity for me to be immersed in Arcadia’s environment, among the students, which I miss. While I am not in my home country of Myanmar, Arcadia is my home, too.”
If you’d like to be a volunteer for your alma mater, one-time or ongoing, please send us an email at alumni@arcadia.edu with the subject line: Volunteer Opportunities.
