Sarah Lawrence College

Students + Faculty in Conversation

Nana-Ama & Carolyn (Writing)

Born in the Bronx and raised in Ghana, Nana-Ama Donkor came to Sarah Lawrence through the Bronx Community College partnership unsure of what to expect. What she found was a mentor who saw her potential right away. As Nana-Ama’s don, Carolyn Ferrell ’84 encouraged her to speak up in their fiction writing class, get involved on campus, and show up to college events where ideas, art, and activism intersect. This conversation is about the ripple effects of mentorship: how one supportive relationship can lead to another, fostering connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Two individuals are sitting and smiling at the camera. One wears a suit jacket while the other wears a grey sweater with a collared shirt.

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Get to know Sarah Lawrence

Founded in 1926 and located just north of New York City, Sarah Lawrence College is a distinctive coeducational liberal arts college known for its pioneering approach to education. Our students share an enthusiasm for intellectual rigor, academic curiosity, creativity, and interdisciplinary work. We’re consistently ranked among the leading liberal arts colleges in the country, offering a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree and multiple professional degrees in the arts, humanities, and sciences.

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