Major: English Literature
Minor: History & the Environment

Hometown: Jackson, MI

Where did you transfer from? Grand Rapids Community College

Why did you choose to transfer to the University of Michigan? Growing up in proximity to the University, I always knew that it was a school full of opportunities. It always seemed out of reach until I began connecting with the transfer resources that were available and ended up finding tons of support. The Go Blue Guarantee made Michigan an affordable choice on top of the courses and experiences I was interested in. 

Based on your personal experience, what is the one thing you want to tell new transfer students? It might sound patronizing but sometimes we all need a reminder that we can do hard things. Transferring is a hard process in so many ways no matter how much support you’ve had. There will be times where it’s difficult but you’ve earned where you’re at and you are capable of doing what you need to do.

How did you make friends and meet other students on campus? I went to the UM Biological Station the semester before starting in Ann Arbor and now participate in Transfer Connections, aMplify, and M-Connect events. The best advice I ever got was to seek out opportunities where you can have prolonged and recurring contact with people. Think about how you made friends in previous situations. Put yourself out there.

What is your favorite part about being an LSA transfer student? The transfer community is great! There are so many transfer focused events and they have been a vital part of feeling like I belong at the University of Michigan. They’re a great way to meet people, connect with resources, and take a break from the educational load of your courses. 

What do you know now that you wish you’d known before transferring to the University of Michigan? The trade off of having lots of opportunities is the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day. You quite literally cannot do it all. That can be sad in its own way, but it can also be an invitation to follow your excitement to make sure you end up in rooms that you really want to be in. 

Why did you choose your specific major(s)? I was really into “March is Reading Month” as a kid. I like stories, real or not, and I’m interested in how the words we use influence what we notice. My minors provide concrete material while literature allows me to dive into the creative and critical worlds. Poetry is pretty cool. Even cooler with some historical situating.