From the moment Alyssa Cocchiola arrived on campus, she immersed herself in opportunities that challenged her to think critically, make meaningful connections, and explore ideas well beyond the classroom. As a member of the Honors Program, Alyssa has approached each project with curiosity, creativity, and determination.
“Excellence, growth, and learning have all had a significant impact on my academic success throughout my time at Walsh,” Alyssa reflected. “Every Honors course I have participated in has challenged my thinking and encouraged me to think beyond certain materials. I’ve been encouraged to find deep connections and create meaningful conclusions about a vast variety of information,” she shared.
One particular course explored the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence. “In this class, we connected current AI to different portrayals of AI in media, such as Frankenstein and Blade Runner. Though at first glance, it seemed like there would not be many connections, those lessons produced such profound discussions about how AI is portrayed, where it is headed, and what that means for the future. I wasn’t just expected to read a book and memorize it. I was encouraged to synthesize information and create meaningful, new, and unique conclusions,” Alyssa explained.
Her drive to go beyond expectations led her to pursue a creative thesis, a project that would integrate her passions for marketing and design. “In the Honors Program, most students write a traditional paper and have an accompanying experiment. Melding my marketing and design pathways, an experiment did not make that much sense for me. I started out with many ambitious ideas. My thesis advisor, Professor Jennifer Vokoun, encouraged me to explore those ambitious ideas and see how to make them a reality,” Alyssa said.
Months of brainstorming ultimately resulted in a project that reflects both her creativity and her commitment to meaningful work. “I landed on the idea of creating a digital exhibition through an application called Figma that will educate consumers on the impacts of healthwashing in the food and beverage industry. I am currently writing the thesis proposal for this, and I have never felt more passionate about a project. It reflected everything that makes this topic so unique, and it fills me with such excitement to work on it. Without those months of going out of my comfort zone and brainstorming instead of taking ‘the easy way out’ and writing a research experiment that loosely fit my topic, I get to create something I’m proud of next fall and spring,” she shared.
Alyssa’s curiosity extends beyond academics. She has contributed as a staff writer for The Honorable Mention Honors student newsletter and will serve as editor in 2026–2027. She is also an active member of the Walsh University Chorale and Chamber Singers. “Being able to sing with my peers is always the highlight of my week. It’s so rewarding to be involved in something greater than yourself and to come together with my peers and create music together. There is nothing more rewarding than that,” she said.
Through her experiences, Alyssa has discovered that excellence takes many forms. “Excellence can take many forms: academic achievement, perseverance, compassion, or creativity. Walsh has helped me discover what excellence means to me through a diverse catalogue of courses. Some of my favorite courses at Walsh have ended up being ones not affiliated with my major. These courses in the disciplines of music, science, and history have helped enhance my overall learning. Instead of just excelling at passions, excellence is the ability to persevere in any and all situations, subjects, and scenarios,” she explained.
Looking ahead, Alyssa plans to pursue a career in marketing or design. “Walsh has prepared me to bring excellence into my future through internships, research opportunities, service learning, and personal growth,” she shared. “Courses like BUS 001, BUS 002, FYE, and the senior seminar have prepared me for interviews, resume and cover letter creation, and networking.
