Caitlin Bellotti

Caitlin Bellotti, a junior communication major with an emphasis in public relations, had no plans to attend Geneva College as her older brother attends Geneva and she wanted to be independent. In fact, she had already been committed to attending another college. That is, until she received a written birthday card from President Calvin L. Troup, PhD, that changed her mind. She has not looked back since.

Bellotti grew up not too far from Geneva, residing on the north side of Pittsburgh. She grew up in a Christian family with one older brother and two younger sisters. Some of her fondest memories as a child consist of her and her siblings hiking through the woods by their house. She was and is very into arts and crafts. When she is not in class, there is a good chance she can be found reading a book in her apartment, working as a student admissions counselor in the call center, or hanging out with her friends.

Choosing communication as her major of choice was not too difficult as she explained, “I love talking to others, and this felt like the degree to pursue if I wished to make a living off of meeting new people.” She has a high value for how she is always encouraged to think critically at Geneva and apply all that she learns to the real world. “Not a day goes by where I don’t see the positive effects that my education here has had on me,” she says.

The small community that can be found here is just one thing Bellotti treasures about Geneva. She appreciates how due to it being a smaller school, she feels seen and heard. She said, “I am lucky to know my professors on a personal level. I can tell that so many of them really want to see me succeed, and that I am not just another random student.”

Bellotti can attest that while college has brought lifelong friendships and great memories, it has not been without challenges. The most challenging obstacle she has encountered while earning her degree is both time and stress management. These challenges have not been easy for Bellotti, but she is grateful that Geneva has plenty of resources that have held her accountable.

God has been ever-present in Bellotti’s life and her time at Geneva is no exception. “He has used Geneva to show me examples of what a great Christian can be. My best friends are smart, strong, and Godly women in whom I see remarkable things every single day. My professors have shown me what a Christian worldview might look like and how to positively live in my faith every single day.”

One day, Bellotti’s dream would be to acquire a job in corporate human resources or public relations. For now, though, she looks forward to the rest of her time here at Geneva and is excited to see what else the Lord has for her. One important truth God has already taught Bellotti throughout her college years is that he is a constant in her life, and she believes her difficult studies have put that to the test. She states, “He reminds me every day that not only does he love me unconditionally, but that he also has given me friends to do the same.”