Framingham State senior Wendell Pierre says that the added rigor and academic validation that comes with being part of the FSU Honors Program has helped keep him on track in college. The Malden, MA native is an English major at FSU.

“The honors program challenges me to be more productive with registering for courses, seeking out my advisors and making the best of the resources that are available to me on campus,” says Pierre. “The program provides a specific set of milestones and resources that help you pinpoint where you are at throughout your time in college and keep you on track to succeed.”

Pierre is currently working on his Capstone Honors Thesis, which he chose to focus on the novel Erasure by Percival Everett, which was later adapted into the movie American Fiction. The book critiques the publishing industry's tendency to reward literature that conforms to racial stereotypes, particularly those that depict Black life in a way that aligns with public's expectations.

Outside of the classroom, Pierre has been an RA and served on several student clubs and groups, including The Gatepost student newspaper, the Marketing Club, and the English Club. He is currently the social media intern for the Department of English.

“I’ve been working closely with the Department Chair and faculty advisor,” he says. “It’s a cool way to trace the intersectionality of my skill set.”

Pierre is a seasoned photographer who aspires to be an entrepreneur and develop his skills to be adaptable to many different career paths. 

“Career readiness has always been an important factor for me,” he says. “I don’t want to close the doors on any opportunities that may be out there.”

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FSU Honors Program