“I've interacted with so many people from different cultures and backgrounds that I never thought I would meet. That alone has been crucial to who I am as a person.”
Deven Stepney
Human Services
Graduating Class: 2017
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Major: Human Services
Other Activities:
Deven graduated in the spring and began his career as a program specialist for the Ryan White Grant at St. Louis University. He dreams of helping people embrace their individuality through safe spaces and organizations and giving people the opportunities he received at Northwest. One of his proudest accomplishments at Northwest was starting the Queer People of Color student organization.
“It was designed to represent the underrepresented people within the LGBTQ community and offer an inclusive space. A lot of people don’t like to speak openly about their sexuality or to really publicize who they are because they don’t have that safe space. I took pride in the fact that I was not only able to create that safe space for them, but that we were able to welcome other people as allies to help us feel comfortable in who we are.”
Northwest offers 17 student organizations for marginalized students in an effort to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion. It offers more than 150 organizations to students of all interests.
His advice to students is to keep an open mind.
“It’s not until you try new things or have new experiences that you will fully learn, understand and appreciate who you are as a person.”
