Since her first time on campus, Shaina Mae Yumol knew that Millikin was where she belonged. 

“College is supposed to be an experience of individuality and learning your sense of self,” Yumol said.

So who is Shaina Mae Yumol? 

Yumol is a BFA in Art Therapy with a minor in psychology, and is part of the Honors Program. During her time at Millikin she has gotten involved on campus by being a member of Alpha Chi Omega, being in Millikin’s Newman Catholic Community, and a writer for both BURST Magazine and The Decaturian.

During her sophomore year Yumol heard that the Dec needed a cartoonist and as an artist she was interested in the position. She became the cartoonist until the opportunity arose to write an article. 

“And one day, someone needed to write an article about something that was happening in Kirkland Fine Arts Center, which is like my home,” Yumol said. “And so then from there, I started writing more articles that were towards the arts, then doing comics, which is great.”

Yumol appreciates being a writer for the Dec allowing her the opportunity to connect with people who are outside of her discipline that she otherwise would not have met. She also enjoys working on stories and all of the time that goes into an article.

“I had forgotten that I enjoy writing, that I like writing, and not because I’m good at it, but because it’s something that I enjoy, that I put effort into,” Yumol said.

Since being a member of Alpha Chi Omega, Yumol has learned a lot, including leadership skills and the importance of clear communication. She has made an impact in her community through being a member of a sorority. 

“I restarted a tradition, which I’m still continuing now, but it’s where I asked all the seniors to send me ‘five people that mean so much to you’, and I reach out to those people, and I ask them to write a letter to them,” Yumol said. 

Friendships that were made through Greek life are just a few of the important relationships of Yumol’s college experience. One of Yumol’s closest friends is Millikin graduate Eden Niebrugge. The two met during Welcome Week and have had a close bond since. 

“I walked up to her because I thought she looked very kind,” Niebrugge said. 

Niebrugge states that Yumol has grown a lot as a person since they’ve known one another. 

“She’s gained so much confidence over the last 4 years,” she said. 

Niebrugge recognizes that Yumol is a hard-worker who cares deeply about everything that she is involved in including all of her work and commitments. 

“She’s very good at everything she does, and she always puts 100% into each activity. No matter what, she wants to do a good job,” Niebrugge said. 

As part of her BFA program Yumol put together an art exhibition that was on display in Kirkland Fine Arts Center from April 27th until May 2nd. Her exhibition was titled “Sustreenance”, which combines the words sustenance and tree and was her Honors Capstone. The show features six different characters who are all on different paths in life. 

“They’re looking for a tree that will grant their truest wish, however, the wish is granted on the way there,” Yumol said. 

“Sustreenance” was an immersive and interactive exhibit that had all kinds of mediums from paintings and prints to ceramics and sculptures. 

“It’s very fairy tale, very allegorical and metaphorical in the way of these characters aren’t human but you’re still able to relate to whatever they’re going through,” Yumol said. “It’s also about different relationship dynamics, family dynamics, illness, and loss. It relates to my life and the experiences that I’ve experienced as an adult just growing.” 

Jonathan Haag, an Associate Professor of Art Therapy at Millikin, has known Yumol since her Drawing 1 class in the Fall of 2022. Haag reflects on how Yumol has grown as an artist and also as a person throughout the time that he has known her through looking at her art show. 

“In terms of her art show, I thought it was a really creative use of doing a couple of different things. So for one, she was developing kind of a fairy tale or a story based on Filipino folklore, and so that’s a part of ethnic background, but she changed things and modified them to fit for her own personal story,” Haag said. 

Haag has known Yumol for all of her college experience at Millikin and feels that she stands out in a crowd. 

“She has a lot of presence, in groups and [in the] classroom, it’s like a quiet kind of steadiness that I think people are kind of drawn towards,” Haag said. 

Haag feels that Yumol has gained a lot of confidence during her time at Millikin and that her path is going in a positive route. 

“I just feel generally optimistic and proud of her direction,” Haag said. 

Yumol is feeling bittersweet about graduating college and leaving Millikin after being here for four years.

“When I graduate, Millikin is no longer my home, my home will be my home or my grad school,” Yumol said. 

But Yumol isn’t leaving empty handed. Not only will she be taking a degree with her but she will also be taking something much more heartfelt. 

“I’ll take away the friendships that I’ve made, that I’ve built at Millikin,” Yumol said. 

After graduation, Yumol will be attending Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she will be pursuing an MS in Art Therapy with an emphasis in counseling. 

Yumol advises incoming freshmen to get involved on campus and to enjoy every moment because four years goes by faster than you’d think. 

“If you’re just in your little field, you’re gonna be there and you’re not gonna see the rest of the world that is waiting for you,” Yumol said.