Through writing, leadership, and service, Ella Bloom ’27 turns involvement into community
Through writing, leadership, and service, Ella Bloom ’27 turns involvement into community
By Sandy Coleman
For Ella Bloom ’27, from San Diego, California, involvement has been at the heart of her Providence College experience.
An English/creative writing major, with a minor in classical history and cultures, Bloom quickly found community through a mix of academic, creative, service, and leadership opportunities.
She is a writer and the editor-in-chief for The Alembic literary journal, contributes to The Cowl student newspaper, participates in Campus Ministry programs, and serves as an admission ambassador, sharing her PC story with prospective students and families.
“Every club helped me meet people I never would have crossed paths with otherwise,” said Bloom. “That’s how Providence College truly becomes home.”
PC has more than 120 clubs and organizations and intramural sports. When Bloom arrived, she did not expect to immerse herself in so many activities. But she soon realized that many of her most meaningful friendships and experiences were happening outside the classroom.
“One of the best things about clubs here is that you meet students across all class years,” she said. “Many of my closest friends came through involvement.”
A member of the English honor society Sigma Tau Delta, Bloom has always known she wanted to be a writer. She joined The Alembic during her first year at PC and has remained a dedicated contributor, writing and working with fellow students to publish original poetry and prose while building a literary community on campus.
“It’s the closest thing to what I want to do professionally — writing, publishing, and creating spaces for people to share their work,” Bloom said.
After graduation, she hopes to pursue a master’s degree in creative writing with the goal of becoming both a published author and a university professor.
“I’ve always wanted to be an author,” she said. “My parents joke that I taught myself how to read. There are photos of me as a toddler just holding books I obviously couldn’t read yet.”
She began writing poetry and short stories in high school and has since written more than 200 poems.
“What I love about writing is that it grounds me,” Bloom said. “It helps me understand myself but also connects me to the broader human experience. The most meaningful feedback I receive is when someone says, ‘I really resonated with this.’ That connection is everything to me.”
That sense of connection is what first drew Bloom to Providence College.
While visiting the campus with her family in June during her senior year of high school, they happened upon Rev. Dominic Verner, O.P., assistant professor of theology, who volunteered to give them a tour.
“For two hours, he showed us everything — classrooms, residence halls, the dining hall, the chapel, and the gym. He talked about life at PC the entire time,” Bloom recalled. “I really think I knew from that one summer day that this was going to be my home.”
Since enrolling, Bloom says her experiences have continually affirmed that feeling.
She took advantage of a one-credit Spring Break course, C.S. Lewis’s Oxford, and traveled to England with Rev. Isaac Morales, O.P., associate professor of theology, to study the life and writings of C.S. Lewis. She was selected for an Educating Character Initiative Student Fellowship offered through the Humanities Program and spent a week in Utah’s Moab Desert, kayaking 63 miles down the Green River, learning outdoor skills, and participating in leadership development and spiritual reflection. Bloom later wrote an essay sharing that the experience taught her to embrace challenges, live more fully in the moment, and find unexpected gifts in friendship, faith, and personal growth.
She also studied abroad through The Rome Semester with Richard Barry, Ph.D., associate professor of theology and associate director of PC’s Development of Western Civilization Program.
“Rome gave me so much inspiration for my writing,” she said. “It also connected deeply to my classics minor and my faith.”
As a first-year student, Bloom participated in FaithWorks, a pre-orientation service immersion program. She later returned as a student leader.
“I knew I wanted to help other students feel less overwhelmed,” she said. “Being a leader pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it was incredibly meaningful.”
Bloom became an admission ambassador during her sophomore year and now leads campus tours, participates in information sessions, and helps welcome prospective students and families to Providence College. One warm June afternoon, while many students might have been enjoying a perfect beach day, Bloom was seated at the reception desk in the Admission Office, ready to greet visiting families.
She especially enjoys connecting with students from the West Coast who may be considering a move across the country like she did.
“I love helping students get excited about PC,” she said. “I know how big that leap can feel. One student told me after our FaceTime call that she was on the fence before but afterward felt really excited about Providence. That’s exactly why I do this.”
The role also has helped her develop confidence and leadership skills.
“Public speaking used to terrify me,” she admits. “But the more I practiced, the more confident I became. Now, it’s one of my favorite things.”
Bloom encourages every student to explore opportunities outside the classroom.
“Joining a club is always worth it,” she said. “Even if you don’t stay in it forever, you learn something about yourself, about others, and about balance.”
Most important, Bloom said, involvement helps students find a sense of belonging.
“If you get involved, you’ll find your people. And that makes all the difference.”
