Get to Know SGA President Laurel Romano
Bluefield College sophomore Laurel Romano is serving her first year as president of the Student Government Association (SGA). To help BC students get to know the new president, we thought we’d ask her what she likes to do, what brought her to Bluefield, and what made her the person she is today.
Romano was born and raised in Bluefield, Virginia. She went to Graham High School before starting her college career at Concord University, but after just one year at Concord she decided to transfer to Bluefield College. While just a sophomore at BC, she has earned enough academic credits to qualify to be a junior. She studies biology with the hope of eventually going to medical school.
“I chose to come to Bluefield after my freshman year at Concord because I wanted to have a Christian environment,” Romano said. “I really needed that. I wanted to grow my faith, and Bluefield College had a Science Department (for biology/pre-med studies), so that was a big plus to make my decision.”
Bluefield College, Romano said, has been a big part of her life this past year. She said she enjoys being a student at BC since she considers the campus to be her second home and like a big family that wants to help you grow as a person.
“I like the small-knit community,” she said. “It might feel like a cliché of saying it’s like a family, but it truly is like a family. One of the best things is knowing your professor, and the professor knows you. By the second day of my first class, my professor already knew my name. So I knew this is a place where people know you and want to help you. I feel I am growing as a person, spiritually and educationally, kind of all around.”
Outside of her studies, Romano is a Student Ambassador where she helps the Admissions Office with events and tours on campus for prospective students. She said she enjoys being a Student Ambassador because it is a fun way of meeting new people. She said she also enjoys her work as SGA president.
“We have our weekly meetings, and we talk about things on campus — things we want to do for the students,” Romano said about her work with the SGA. “Right now we are in our growth period, so we try to build up the program and bring more awareness. We are here for the students, and that’s what we want everyone to know — that they can come and talk with us about things on campus.”
BC professors describe Romano as a servant leader and someone who is “sweet” and “respectful.”
“She was very attentive in Organic Chemistry class, sat in the front row, and answered many questions I posed to the class,” said Dr. Joe Saunders, a professor of chemistry. “She had the courage to make a suggestion, even if it turned out to not be what I was expecting. She was diligent to punctually complete all assignments without complaint. I am so glad I had the opportunity to be her professor for these two courses.”
Romano also enjoys cooking, hiking, and watching sports, such as baseball and soccer. She is a friendly person, always willing to help when someone needs her. After BC, she hopes to attend medical school. She has not decided which school yet, but she is already looking for options.
“My goal is to attend medical school for the osteopathic root,” she said. “In the future, I want to be a missionary doctor. I want to be able to go on mission trips, spreading the word of God. It’s wonderful to talk about Him.”