When you ask Adriana Beaty what she loves most about Coker, her answer comes easily: the people. A senior majoring in psychology with a minor in criminology, Adriana has found her home in the connections she’s built on campus. Now, as Director of the Campus Activities Board (CAB), she’s helping other students find that same sense of belonging while making sure they have a lot of fun along the way.
This semester is still brand new, but Adriana is already thinking ahead. CAB has hosted two events since the first day of classes on August 19, including a foam party that drew big crowds and set the tone for the year. For Adriana, those early events are just the beginning of what she hopes will be one of CAB’s most engaging years yet.
“I want students to feel excited about coming out to events,” she said. “We’re working on ways to bring in fresh ideas so that people want to show up, connect, and keep coming back.”
Part of that effort includes new student-led planning crews focused on arts and culture, as well as rally-style events. Adriana hopes these teams will give students more ownership of campus life while making CAB programming even more dynamic.
“When students are involved in the planning, it feels more personal,” she explained. “It becomes their event, not just something to attend.”
Adriana has already noticed a difference in the energy of her fellow Cobras. “The new students bring so much enthusiasm,” she said. “You can tell they want to get involved. That makes me even more excited about what’s ahead.”
Adriana also credits her executive team, Obed Don, Nyla McMillan, and Duffy Mista, as well as the support of faculty and staff, for helping CAB prepare for the year.
“It feels like everyone wants us to succeed,” she said. “That support motivates me to step up and do more.”
For Adriana, CAB is about more than planning events, but creating opportunities and spaces for students to meet, laugh, and share experiences that make their time at Coker unforgettable. Whether it’s through COW Days, a foam party, or a carnival, she knows that moments of connection are what turn a campus into a community.
Her advice for fellow students is simple: don’t sell yourself short when it comes to branching out in college.
“Never limit yourself,” she said. “Always strive for more, even if it means sacrifice. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.”
