Kaylea Cornwell

Background

About Kaylea Cornwell

I am a social change advocate with a passion for experiencing and learning new things, helping others, and making a positive impact in the world. I graduated as a Commonwealth Honors Scholar with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology at Westfield State University, where I gained a solid foundation in the theories and practices of these fields and was later accepted into the accelerated 4+1 Masters program for Criminal Justice. I have also studied abroad at the University of Deusto in Spain, where I learned about different cultures and perspectives. As a Chapter Vice Chair at Student PIRGs, I contributed to the mission of empowering students to make positive social change on campus and beyond. I applied my communication and organization skills to recruit, train, and manage volunteers, coordinate campaigns, and advocate for issues such as environmental justice, hunger and homelessness, and affordable education. I also leveraged my problem-solving skills to overcome challenges and adapt to changing situations with COVID-19 regulations. Through all of this, I was able to help lead a campaign that raised over for the campus food pantry. Additionally, I completed a year-long, independent, honors project that explored the current strategies in place for drug offenses and the different alternatives such as decriminalization, harm reduction protocols, and Medication-Assisted Treatment. I aspire to use my knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the criminal justice and/or psychology field, where I can continue to make a difference in the lives of others and society.