Nontraditional Student Fossetta ’26 Demonstrates Responsibility, Adaptability, and Fearlessness in Pursuit of Degree
While most of the Arcadia University Class of 2026 was still in high school, Ruth Fossetta ’26 was already working as a licensed cosmetologist. It’s certainly a divergence from the Psychology degree they’re on track to earn in May–along with minors in Studio Art and Gender and Sexuality Studies–but Fossetta says higher education is something that was always in the back of their mind.
“I think my proudest accomplishment is coming back and making it happen.”
It was the study abroad opportunities at Arcadia that called out to Fossetta the loudest. The Howell, N.J., native went to Dublin, Ireland, for Preview, then returned to Ireland for a four-week Global Field Study. Last semester, they kept busy here in Glenside with a full course load, as well as serving as a teaching assistant for two classes and assisting with a Counseling graduate student’s research project. This semester, Fossetta is taking a graduate-level course, Self-Care and Wellbeing for Educators and Leaders, a topic that will serve them well in their pursuit of either a PhD in clinical psychology or a master’s in clinical mental health counseling.
“I really, really was interested in taking that one, because going into a profession where you’re constantly taking care of other people, I feel like in undergrad, learning more things about burnout and stress and things like that is really going to put me ahead of the curve in grad school, because they really, really press that in different graduate programs for Psych: you have to take care of yourself, too.”
So, how does Fossetta take care of themself? “I’m a big yoga and hot yoga fan. Somewhere down the line, when I am less busy with academics, I would love to become a certified yoga teacher, but that’s a much later future plan.”
Fossetta has racked up a plethora of experiences during their time at Arcadia that are sure to impress graduate schools and future employers. But there’s one accomplishment you might not find on their resume: an anonymous recognition for being a responsible Arcadia Knight.
“I was very excited,” the Psychology major said about learning of the accolade–a tip of the hat for demonstrating the Knight Code of Honor. “I was also recognized last year, and I went to the event that was in the Great Room, and it was a really good opportunity to get to meet people with similar values.” The submission sang Fossetta’s praises:
“Ruth is a senior that is overloading their course schedule credit-wise this semester, as well as serving as a TA for a statistics class. They are graduating a year earlier than originally intended because of their hard work. On top of this, they have been helping a Psychology graduate student carry out a research project by playing an important role in their study. They have not missed a single meeting for this, and have been there and performed for every research session there has been while navigating an incredibly busy and stressful schedule. They demonstrate responsibility, adaptability, and fearlessness in their entire academic career at Arcadia University, and I believe that they deserve recognition for this!”
Fossetta noted how validating it feels to be acknowledged in this way by your peers. “Sometimes people need to have that recognition, to remind themselves that they’re doing a good job. And so that was kind of like the recognition that I feel like I needed.”
