Kezia Velista

Q: How did you get into literature as a field of study?
A: Some time in highschool, first I had interest in Romanian literature and at this time Romania still had the Soviet model of politics and discipline, where students would do competitions regionally/nationally. In 8th grade, I qualified to represent my county to the national competition. From that, I discovered that I had interesting things to say about texts and writers, so I became curious. I started reading world literature afterwards and especially became interested in more philosophical-minded writers.

Q: What was it like to grow up in communist Romania and when did you learn English?
A: I learned English in 6th grade, and it was taught in schools. I grew up in a very poor working-class community in southern Transylvania, people know I’m a part-time vampire🧛‍♂️. It was a coal-mining town in the Carpathian mountains, so there were no castles, but there were mines.
My mom was a draftsperson for the mining company and my dad was a researcher for the mining company too, but later he became a college professor.They knew the importance of books.📚
One thing to know is that during communism in Romania you couldn’t just go to the bookstore and buy books. There were no books. So one important event in our family was that my parents knew of this librarian who was selling her library and they bought a large amount of books from her. This wasn’t totally legal, but that way we had a collection of classic Romanian pieces while I was growing up.
My parents were by no means well-off people, but they managed to find food, shelter, and even books. My formative years learning to read and write, being introduced to the world of culture, happened primarily at the beginning under the last years of the Ceaușescu regime which were the worst years of the regime.

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Q: What was your area of concentration in school?
A: I switched several times. I came in thinking I was going to do computer science. I also got a marketing and management certificate. In sophomore year I was even leaning towards anthropology. Then I realized that most of the classes I liked and did most well on were African and African American studies, so I declared that as my major. It’s a long story but I ended up double majoring in English and African/African American studies with a minor in Political Science. Then I got my doctorate degree in Africana studies with a concentration in Literature and Culture. The reason why I’m explaining all this is to let college students know that It’s OK to *not* know your major right away and to look at what you’re really into, rather than pigeonhole yourself into something that someone told you is good.💡

Q: Tell us about when you got to be the chair of the Black Lives Matter Summit here.
A: I’ve always been involved with the summit ever since I was hired. It’s not just about the classroom, it’s also about what you do outside of it. Getting involved in all of that early is skill-building, and it allows you to see how to organize while learning how to deal with other people.✏️

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Q: Why did you choose this major?
A💬: You know what, it really feels like this major chose me instead of the other way around. I spent so much time wondering if I should do it, and here I am.

Q: What career would you like to pursue in the future?
A💬: I see myself being a teacher or an artist. It sounds regal and right.

Q: Out of all the classes that you've taken, what's your favorite?
A💬: There's really no way to narrow it down! I have accolades for the following:
✏️Intro to Creative Writing, Fictional Writing, Intro to Literary Criticism, Intro To Art, Cultural Anthropology, World Literature, American Literature...so yeah darn near all of them!

Q: Since graduation season is coming around the corner, what would you say to future students going into college or those continuing their education? 🎓
A💬: Drink more water. Trust your mental capacity for growth -- and know thyself (absent of interference).

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Q: How did you get into the field of literature?
A: My house, which I shared with several members of my extended family, was filled with books in many languages and spanning literature, history, economics, political science, and philosophy. But I gravitated to stories above all. I remember not just reading new English textbooks for my own classes each year but also those of all my cousins. My father also made it a habit to take my brother and me to a bookstore every Sunday and buy us each a book. Additionally, I was fortunate enough to go to a school that trained me in English classics, including Shakespeare, and had a well-stocked library. It was a natural step after that upbringing to major in English literature and then go on to grad school to continue that study, both in India and in the U.S.

Q: What were your first impressions of the United States, or of New York?
A: I came to Minnesota for grad school in 2000. I was treated very kindly by the university staff, which felt unusual, but was welcome to someone used to stone-walling bureaucracy. During winter, Acquaintances helped me to find the right clothing and shoes to get for the snow, which stood me in good stead for years to come, and even gifted me book bags (since I thought nothing of just using plastic bags for my books and supplies). School itself was different in that I had to learn to write thesis-based essays and format them (something I was not taught formally in India) and it took me a long time to adapt to the thesis/argument driven style.

🗽New York, which I moved to in 2012, feels like home because it's very similar to Bombay, where I was born.📍I like the crowds and even the chaos. It feels normal and comforting. I love knowing that the trains run all the time (technically), that there are all-night diners, and every possible manner of food and entertainment one could want (and that fits every income level). I certainly see more ethnic and linguistic diversity here, both at LaGuardia and the city at large, which makes each day exciting.

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Q: Why did you choose this major
A: When I first enrolled at LaGuardia Community College, I had decided to major in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality but that changed after taking my first accounting class. The class was more challenging than I expected but I enjoy a challenge. When I’m faced with a difficult task I can’t help but push myself and I enjoy being able to overcome these difficulties. It was these challenges that convinced me to officially change my major to Accounting.

Q: You recently took Beginning Photography (HUA 130) in Spring II. Despite this being unrelated to your major, tell us about your experience, what did you learn?

A: I’ve always been interested in photography and LaGuardia gave me the opportunity to learn the basics of it. Learning how to use a film camera as well as developing the photos I took were only part of the enjoyment as I also learned how to create photograms. We take for granted the effort and skill that is required to take beautiful pictures and this class has opened my eyes to that. My experience was wonderful, so much so that I am considering pursuing photography further.

Q: Since you’re from 🇬🇪Georgia🇬🇪, tell us about how you ended up in NYC. 🎟️
A: I came to the United States six years ago with my family. I must say we were all very lucky as we were chosen in a lottery to be granted legal status. Once we were all settled into our new home, I finally had time to experience New York City but before I knew it, I had fallen in love with this city and all it had to offer.💡

Q: I’m sure you know that LAGCC has many students from different countries, what advice do you have for students who recently migrated to NYC? 💚
A: You are in one of the greatest cities in the world, so take advantage of it. There is so much that it can offer you through its many cultural groups and education. Find something that interests you and learn everything you can about it. You may never know where it will take you, but it will always be somewhere different from where you started.

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