Minerva Stephensbailey is the kind of student who surprises you – not with flashy words or big entrances, but with quiet determination and heart. A 2023 Arundel High grad, Stephensbailey came to AACC planning to transfer, unsure of what the campus culture would be like. Her experience changed that assumption.
“Everyone's very welcoming and wants to help. Classes are mentally stimulating. If you want to, you can find friendships, make connections.”
Stephensbailey is nearing a transfer studies degree and plans to focus on economics and environmental science at the University of Maryland. She’s passionate about climate change and the impact of human activity on our planet. “This sounds super sappy,” she said, “but seeing the harm we’re doing to our world – the pollution, the litter, building things that inevitably would harm our earth – that just pains me to see, and I want to fix it.”
A self-described loner who is a bit shy and reserved, her story is about how she’s grown. “If people would ask me what I thought of something or how should we go about this, I'd kind of be that passive person that's like, 'I'm OK with whatever you say.’” To develop leadership skills, she took a bold step in applying to AACC’s Leadership Challenge Program, working with a group of fellow students.
It allowed her to build confidence, embrace teamwork and step into leadership roles. She leaned into team dynamics, taking on presentations and tasks that helped turn ideas into action. She discovered that being a strong leader is about patience and empathy. “It helped me understand that different people have different experiences,” she said. “And as a leader, you need to be patient with everybody so that everyone feels respected and part of the group.”
Stephensbailey’s group got involved with The Nest through the Office of Student Engagement, brainstorming ways to help students get connected. “If you want to, you can be successful in many clubs or sports” and find your community. Being involved has been a game-changer; now, AACC feels like a second home. “This is a great campus, a great community – and it’s just what you make of it.”
Her advice for anyone new or still figuring things out: “If you’re feeling like you don’t belong here or that you’re better than this, that’s something to look at internally. Because there's a lot offered here and there's a lot of support you get, but it won't find you.”