A first-generation college graduate, Naseehaa Bacchus ’19 chose Stevenson to pursue her long-time fascination with writing, creative design, and the arts. “It felt natural to choose a community-based institution such as Stevenson; the idea of attending a university with over 30,000 students seemed incredibly daunting to 17-year-old me."
Here, Naseehaa found her family away from home within the business communication program. “We’re still connected even a year after graduation. Maybe I lucked out with my graduating class, but the people who are studying the same subject as [you] should be viewed as friends and not competition.” She also credits the person she is today to the inspirational faculty throughout her college career: “I can’t express how important it is to have professors that make you truly feel like the sky is the limit.”
For her senior internship experience, Naseehaa had the opportunity to be part of the editorial team at Baltimore Style Magazine. Along with her review of the Baltimore Center Stage’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” being published in the Arts & Culture section, she collaborated with the Lead Editor and Art Director to design the October 2018 magazine cover and coordinated with local Baltimore boutiques to feature their products in the 2018 Holiday Gift Guide.
However, after graduation, Naseehaa decided to use her skillset fom her time at Stevenson to go in another direction. Her studies helped her to become a better writer and more confident speaker, and when the COVID-19 pandemic first impacted the U.S. she saw an opportunity to adapt to the circumstances. “And that’s exactly what I did.” Naseehaa had a light-switch moment when she reflected on how much she loved radio—she enjoyed listening to the student-hosted shows on Stevenson’s Wild Stang Radio—so she started her own podcast, “Talk Bacc.” “I realized how much the world needs to hear everyone’s voice; in such a tense social climate, silence won‘t help anyone.”
Having worked in the magazine and publishing industry, she learned the important of keeping an audience engaged with your brand, which she applies now while growing her podcast’s listenership. Now, she wears all the hats as her podcast’s own host, producer, and social media manager and content creator. “Every step has been an incredible learning experience. I cannot express how grateful I am for the support from the Stevenson community.”
