Student Leader Thanks University Supporters for Investing in her Future

Gio Roper ’19, a psychology major, spoke at the University’s 35th Annual Alumni Scholarship Ball about how her time at the University has helped her find her passion.

April 22, 2018

By Dave Cranshaw, Office of Marketing & Communications

Gio Roper ’19 concedes that when she arrived at the University of New Haven she lacked confidence in herself and in her leadership abilities.

That was until she had the opportunity to become a resident assistant and be part of the team that plans the SOAR Orientation program for first-year students. "These opportunities challenged me to push myself out of my comfort zone," she said. "As a result, I have experienced a great deal of growth while gaining the self-confidence I felt I was missing."

Roper, a psychology major, spoke on Saturday night at the University’s 35th Annual Alumni Scholarship Ball – an event that in just the last four years has raised more than $7 million for student scholarships – about how her time at the University has helped her find her passion.

"My experiences have helped me discover an interest in pursuing a career in higher education, specifically student affairs. The faculty and staff I have had the honor of working with have inspired me, and they have supported me in all of my endeavors." Gio Roper ’19

A recipient of an endowed scholarship, Roper also reflected on the impact that scholarship support has played in enabling her to pursue her goals.

"I am so grateful and fortunate to be able to focus on my studies and to be able to invest my time in the things I am passionate about," she said. "Thank you for helping students like me to focus on the things that matter to us most. I look forward, one day, to being able to do my part to help future generations of students, and I hope I can have the same impact as you have had on me and my classmates."