University of North Texas

College & University in Denton, Texas

Stephon Bradberry doesn’t want students to feel they have to “sacrifice part of yourself” to be successful. He wants students to have a voice, to feel represented and included. “I remember walking on campus as this newly identified queer boy and no one was giving me a second look and I thought to myself, ‘I am home,’” says Stephon. But, his path wasn’t easy or straightforward. In 2015, Stephon took a break from school to address growing mental and emotional challenges, includ...ing depression. The break was exactly what he needed. Stephon returned to UNT with a new commitment to his authentic self – being a leader and making the world a more inclusive place where all are represented. Now, he’s graduating with a UNT College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences degree in Integrative Studies. Stephon plans to continue his journey in public service. He's pursuing a master’s degree in Political Communication at American University this fall. His advice to other students? “Believe in something bigger, trust the resiliency of yourself and the community, find some joy in everything you do and know your actions are making a difference.” We couldn’t agree more.