Lis Casanova, an English major senior, is slowly preparing for graduation in the fall, and she already has big plans. After she graduates, she said she would like to work as an editor for newspaper or magazine, either an online or in print publication. When asked about why she decided to study at USFSP, Casanova said, “it was a good fit to my needs…I knew I would benefit more from a school with a small student teacher ratio, and I loved the location, the town.” She said that she loves the community most, especially after becoming an English major and getting to know the students and professors that inhabit Harbor Hall. In addition to working multiple jobs and balancing school, she is also working to try to create an art space for the USFSP students to build a connection between the school and the art city it inhabits.  Â
When asked what inspired her to start working on the project of creating a space for art-focused students on campus, she stated, “I think a mix of my having struggled with the challenge personally and wanting to really [create] a project that engaged with the community and tried to give something to it. I really wanted a project to be more than a report, research, or an analysis; I needed to turn it into a fulfilling experience that motivated me enough to actually sit and write about all the things I was learning about and people I was meeting.”
This is no easy task, and Casanova admits that she has had some challenges throughout her endeavor. “I think my biggest challenge is a fear of letting myself down…I’m much more determined, and I try really hard to believe in myself as much as I can. Besides that, it would probably be the fact that I have so many other things to take care of besides school.”
To Casanova, the space won’t be just for musicians but to any student who is involved in art. “I want all performing artists to benefit from it: musicians, singers, dancers, actors, etc. It’s important in the way that having a creative outlet is, especially in a high-stress environment such as a college campus….I have received support from professors and Albert Moreno, SG appropriations chair, as well as [almost] every artist I’ve met and the musicians club.”
If you’re interested in helping Lis out with her project, Lis says the best way to support her is by being vocal to Student Government. “I want to start a petition soon; they can always just include their names on it. I could use help getting the petition started, gaining community support, fundraising, writing a proposal, etc.” If you would like more information or would like to help out, you can email Casanova at lis@mail.usf.edu.
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Alyssa Harmon