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BRISTOL, R.I. – When senior Matthew Milotakis speaks, it’s with the thoughtful cadence of someone who has spent years listening, watching, and reflecting on literary texts, people, and the world around him. It’s a voice shaped by his dual passions, a powerful combination that sharpened his ability to analyze narratives both on the page and in everyday life.

At ��ܽ����Ƶ, Milotakis has become a bridge-builder – a student who sees connections where others see silos, and a leader who reads not just the words on a page but the undercurrents of culture, identity, and power that shape them. Double majoring in English Literary Studies and Cultural Studies, he has learned to peel back layers of meaning to reveal hidden truths, tracing the patterns that bind people together and the fractures that keep them apart.

“With English Literature and Cultural Studies, I love looking at different media, connecting them, and finding parallels with the world,” said Milotakis, of Pembroke Pines, Fla. “These two fields let me explore patterns in our culture, exposing harmful stereotypes and showing how marginalized communities are creating powerful cultures that are often overlooked. Cultural Studies helped me de-center texts and analyze them more deeply, which enriched my work in English Literature. Together, they’ve helped me figure out how I situate myself in the world.”

That desire to make connections between ideas and people propelled Milotakis beyond the classroom. He quickly found a home in the Department of English Literature and Cultural Studies as a first-year student. There he worked as a FIT intern (��ܽ����Ƶ’s Financed Internship Training program) and managed social media accounts, drafted meeting minutes, and organized career- and academic-oriented events, including the English Literature Senior Thesis Colloquia. This year, he became an editorial intern with the university’s  (MarCom) team, where he expanded his skills both as a storyteller and communicator by interviewing faculty, students, and alumni and writing news stories for the website.

“The FIT internship made me realize my love for advertising and advocacy. It sparked my passion for mentoring and creating spaces where English Literary Studies majors can connect,” Milotakis said. “And I can’t explain how much I love working in MarCom. The feedback I’ve received has helped improve my writing, build my portfolio, and made me more comfortable with interviewing. It’s allowed me to explore different writing forms and expand on my English Literature degree.”

But it wasn’t only in academic settings where Milotakis found his footing. As an Orientation Advisor, Orientation Coordinator, and Resident Assistant, he stepped into roles that allowed him to guide others, whether it be first-year students finding their way, peers navigating the pressures of campus life, or fellow students learning to lead.

“Being part of Orientation was emotional in the best way,” Milotakis said. “I loved being there for many students’ first phase of college. It taught me how to talk to any type of student and guide them to resources, feeding my love of mentorship. As a coordinator, I discovered a new kind of mentorship: mentoring other OAs. Whether they had issues or concerns, I loved being the person they turned to, helping them problem-solve. Watching them grow into their own mentors was inspiring.”

In between guiding students and crafting copy, Milotakis carved out time for research, attending academic conferences where he presented work that explored the complexities of identity and representation. Those conferences – the , held in Pittsburgh, and the , held in New Orleans – offered a glimpse into the larger conversations happening in his fields.

“Attending conferences was an amazing opportunity to see what research others were doing and what programs other schools offered,” Milotakis said. “I always come away with a long list of books, movies, and articles to explore, inspired by others’ research to keep going with my own. I hope to keep attending conferences; it means so much to see what other people are creating.”

His own research on the intersections of class and sexuality in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray led him to a sobering conclusion, one that continues to inform his perspective as a scholar and advocate. “The biggest takeaway from my research is that people will always fear identities they don’t understand or feel threatened by,” Milotakis said. “Even if someone is protected by wealth or status, their identity can still be questioned, which leads to danger for marginalized communities.”

This May, Milotakis will take the stage as student speaker for the Feinstein School of Humanities, Arts, and Education’s Commencement ceremony, an honor he was personally invited to fulfill by Dean Jeffrey Meriwether. “I feel so proud, honored, and grateful,” he said. “Being asked to speak made me emotional; it helped me realize I’ve done more than I thought. I want to show appreciation for everyone who’s supported me, and I want to encourage others to keep questioning the world, making deeper connections, and staying loyal to the people around them. I’ve become the person I am because of everyone who’s surrounded me.”

After graduation, Milotakis will continue his work as an editorial writer with ��ܽ����Ƶ’s MarCom team over the summer, with plans to either enter the workforce or pursue a master’s degree in a field that weaves together advocacy and literature.

“I have grown so much here,” Milotakis said. “Roger Williams has given me the space to find my voice, and the confidence to use it.”