Student Spotlight: Molly Merrill

Molly Merrill

Molly Merrill came to Cayuga determined to make the most of her college experience. This week, in her final semester, that enthusiasm pushed her to a role she never expected: speaking in support of her fellow students in Albany as part of SUNY Advocacy Day.

It was a day that might have intimidated her a few years ago. But now, after working up the courage to return to school and immersing herself in everything college offers, Merrill was more than ready.

“I came to college and just wanted to be involved. I saw events and trips and other opportunities, and said ‘I want to be a part of that.’ Being involved at school changes your trajectory, and I think I like school more because I’m involved and making new friends,” she said.

The Waxhaw, North Carolina, native moved to Auburn to care for a family member several years ago. She never planned to go to college, but changed her mind and enrolled in Cayuga’s Business Administration AAS program.

She also entered Cayuga’s Advancing Success in Associate Pathways program, and has thrived with the added guidance ASAP offers students.

“I love ASAP. I had a fear of going to college and how challenging the transition might be for me, as someone who enrolled later than most students. But ASAP has definitely helped me stay on track,” she said. “It’s really helped with my confidence. Cayuga in general offers so many support services. I just decided to take that support and run with it.”

Her determination to experience everything Cayuga offered led her to the College’s Student Activities Board, and then eventually to serving as the Treasurer for the Student Government Organization. Her role as a student leader led her to Albany this week, a chance that was too good to pass up.

At Advocacy Day, Merrill found herself encouraging state legislators to provide greater support for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), addressing food insecurity, college affordability, and more.

It was an experience Merrill said she won’t forget, even as she plans to move on to a bachelor’s degree program and eventually a career in business.

“We advocated for programs that are important in our community, from EOP and expanded access to food pantries to capital funding, operating aid, and the importance of higher education in prisons,” she said. “It was such a meaningful experience. It was a side of college and student leadership that isn’t talked about enough.”