Rachel Little, a senior in Waynesburg’s Department of Communication, has made a name for herself in the Department, especially in the Design Club. However, her journey did not start at Waynesburg. 

“Funny enough, I did not start my college career at Waynesburg, I was originally at Seton Hill University. So I graduated high school in 2020, and started college in 2020 as well,” Little said. 

“My experience on Seton Hill’s campus wasn’t the best, it wasn’t the place for me, I didn’t click well with the other students.”

Little decided in the spring semester her freshman year to seek out transferring. That began her search for a smaller school in the western Pennsylvania area. 

“I wanted to stay a little more close to home since I’m from Pittsurgh. I stumbled upon Waynesburg in my search,” Little said. “I later found out a couple of my cousins went to Waynesburg and graduated from here. I got a tour, immediately fell in love with the campus and just the energy of the students here.” 

Waynesburg was the only school Little had applied to go to and was enrolled the following fall semester. 

Not only was Little not originally going to Waynesburg, but she was also not a communication major.  

“When transferring to Waynesburg, I was a forensic investigation major,” Little said. “I did that for a year here after doing two semesters at Seton Hill being a forensics major. Three days before my junior year I decided that forensics wasn’t for me.” 

Little knew after changing majors what she had wanted to do. 

“I have always been a creative person. I have always been really into art and painting and drawing, pottery, the works,” Little said. “I would just do anything to create something with any sort of media.” 

Little, despite knowing what she wanted to change her life’s focus too, admitted it was still a difficult change. 

“It wasn’t something I was exactly sure how that was going to go. I knew I was going to be here for an extra year, so I am a fifth year college student,” Little said. “It was scary, but very fulfilling and I’m much happier with what I’m doing.” 

Little also said she intends to have a family in her future, and with her line of work she was set to join, it was something she did not want to bring home with her.

“I’m not the type of person that can leave their work at work. So being in a field such as forensic investigation, that would mean I was bringing home some really heavy and really dark stuff to my family,” Little said. 

Little is also involved with “Sting Swing,” a dance club on campus. She has been involved with that since she came to Waynesburg in 2021.

“I have fallen in love with this style of dancing, and we also do some other random styles of dancing, but we also really focus on line dancing as well,” Little said. “Through that I have had opportunities to go to different dance events and compete.” 

Little even travels outside of the state and wins competitions for dancing. 

“Over winter break this year, I actually got to go to Boston for an event and I ended up placing fourth in the novice Jack and Jill Division, and that was an incredible opportunity.” 

Little is also involved in “WU’s Line,” a campus improv group, which relates  to her involvement in theatre at Waynesburg. 

Through Little’s journey, she recommends others to not be afraid to take risks.

“That has been the biggest thing that I’ve learned throughout my college career and in high school as well,” Little said. “Just the most fun and rewarding experiences I’ve had are experiences that are extremely risky for me and feel very out of my comfort zone.”

Lisa Rasmussen, an assistant professor of Fine Arts and Communication, said she met Little when she [Rasmussen] joined the Department of Communication, and what stood out to her about Little was her dedication to her work.

“In 2023, my first semester, she was definitely in those classes that I was teaching over there,” Rasmussen said. “She had been in a lot of my classes since and she’s a very serious student. She is very concerned about doing a good job.”

Rasmussen commended Little’s attention for design and was very good at drawing. 

“I think what stands out about Rachel is her wanting to do a really good job and working and working at something until it’s really the way she wants it,” Rasmussen said. “She puts a lot of time into her work that she does and I can see she puts in a lot of time into the work. Not everybody does that.” 

Rasmussen continued to give high praise towards her work ethic. 

“Rachel really goes above and beyond with a lot of the things she does. Even when she was just in musical, and she would talk to me about it, I know she really wanted to do a good job and she spent a lot of time working on what she was doing for that.”

Little is taking a big risk after Waynesburg, as when she leaves she is starting her own photography business. 

“Post graduation, I will be starting my own photography business “Little Moments Media,” focusing on portrait photography, couples, engagement, weddings, maternity, newborn,” Little said. “I want to be able to capture those moments and those memories for future clients.”