What is your advising philosophy? As an academic advisor and higher education professional, I am committed to: 1) providing holistic guidance and establishing a strong rapport with students, 2) empowering students by helping them better understand and navigate their academic experiences, 3) helping students develop their skills and talents for the betterment of themselves and their communities, and 4) offering students the appropriate balance of challenge and support necessary to reach their full potential as scholars and future professionals. Essentially, my goal is to help students become the best version of themselves by supporting them as whole students with diverse strengths, backgrounds, and experiences, and to do my best to ensure they have everything they need to be successful in their academics, careers, and personal lives. It is also important to me that students know their value and understand that they have amazing things to bring to any number of metaphorical and physical tables, regardless of (and possibly thanks to) the paths they take to get there.

What was your path to Newnan? As an undergrad, I was a part of several student organizations, held various leadership positions, and worked as a student employee, and once I learned that I could do these types of things as a career, I decided to pursue a higher education and student affairs Master's degree upon graduation. During and after grad school, I worked as a graduate assistant and research assistant for an engineering college, a youth development professional and site coordinator for a non-profit, an advisor for first-generation and Pell-eligible transfer students, a graduate research assistant for an academic department, a career services advisor, an assistant director of an academic support office, and a financial aid, records and registration, and billing specialist. Then, in January of 2023, I finally got the opportunity to join Newnan and do what I love most, which is offering one-on-one support to students via academic advising. I am so blessed and grateful to be here!

Why did you join Newnan? I joined Newnan because I am passionate about supporting and advising college students, and since moving back to the area, I have wanted to become a Michigan Wolverine. It truly is great to be one! Furthermore, being a Newnan advisor allows me the opportunity to serve and grow with incredibly talented students, interact with an exceptionally diverse study body, and connect with a large, impressive team of kind, caring, and skilled advisors and student advocates. Lastly, having been a liberal arts and sciences student myself, I find the work of LSA and its students to be absolutely fascinating and truly meaningful, and I feel honored to be a part of it.

Class you loved and why? My favorite undergrad course was Environmental Problem Solving. It was the capstone course for my minor, and it focused on "vulnerabilities to environmental change, sustainable development, impact and risk assessment, and adaptations to and mitigation of environmental problems." I enjoyed learning about the ways in which culture, society, science, design, and policy are connected to sustainability and the role each component plays in the grander scheme of environmental stewardship. There were also several hands-on projects and interesting field trips, I liked the other students in my class, and I had wonderful and knowledgeable instructors!

Interests and hobbies: My interests and hobbies include spending time with my family, friends and pets, as well as practicing yoga, supporting local businesses, going to concerts and festivals, attending farmer and artisan markets, binging good TV shows, being outside, and driving places on nice days. I am also an animal rescue advocate, sustainability enthusiast, and lifelong learner who loves acquiring new knowledge.