In 2019, Paris Razor graduated from Barry with a double specialization in literature and professional writing. Since then, she has worked as the America Reads Coordinator at Miami-Dade College, and is preparing to take on a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. America Reads is a Federal-Work Study program that employs Miami-Dade College students to serve as literacy tutors for children in the community.
“I have no doubt my undergraduate degree at Barry has prepared me well for the readings and assignments I will complete for school and my post-graduate career,” said Razor.
Razor set an example of what it means to be a well-rounded student. In her undergraduate years she was a member of six different honor societies and was involved in campus and extracurricular activities both in leadership and volunteer roles, including a summer internship at Miami Music Project, a nonprofit organization centered on providing music education to young children in Miami-Dade County.
“By graduation, I amassed a series of accomplishments that to this day I hold close to my heart: I earned the President's Award for Outstanding Senior for best exemplifying what it means to ‘Live a Barry Life,’” Razor said. “I was a member of six different honor societies (Alpha Chi, Kappa Gamma Pi, Delta Epsilon Sigma, National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Tau Delta, and Phi Eta Sigma); became head Copyeditor of my university's newspaper, The Buccaneer; and travelled nationally supporting farmworker rights as a Barry Service Corps Fellow.”
These achievements sprang from her belief that expanding her English major was a field of privilege where she could better serve and give back in a different way.
“It is without a doubt an honor to have been under the mentorship of my advisor and professors at Barry as they nurtured me not only as a student, but as a writer and an engaged member of my community,” Razor said. “I will always feel grateful for majoring in English at Barry University.”