When you meet with students, what's most important to you?

When I meet with students, what matters most to me is helping them find a pathway to meet their academic and career goals. I see myself as a support person to guide students from where they are now to where they want to be.

What's one experience outside the classroom that shaped who you are today?

In my undergraduate years, I worked multiple on-campus positions including being a nightwatch staff member, an office assistant, and a resident assistant (RA). These experiences showed me the value of peer connection in college and helped me learn leadership skills. It is part of what inspired me to go into Higher Ed Student Affairs.

What's one challenge you experienced in college, and what advice would you give a student facing a similar one now?

In college, I had a family member who was battling a life-threatening illness. I had to balance caring for them with working and managing my courseload. I believe there are many students who, like me, have multiple responsibilities weighing on them as they try to complete their degrees. To students who are facing similar situations to mine, I would tell you to learn to discern which tasks need to be prioritized over others. We may not always have the time or resources to give every project our 100% best effort, but if you perform well on the tasks that matter most, you will persevere and succeed.

What are some places you've lived or traveled to? How have those places influenced who you are or how you see the world today?

I have lived in Michigan for most of my life, but I lived in Syracuse, New York in my early 20s. I was the youth program coordinator at a refugee services agency there. My time in Central New York and the many wonderful people I met there are still an important part of who I am today.