What is your major and minor? What other academic programs were you a part of?
Psychology Major and Sociology Minor
What are some of the jobs you held while at McDaniel?
At McDaniel I worked as a Student Ambassador, Peer Mentor, and Counselor for Summer Science Academy.
What organizations were you a part of at McDaniel? What positions did you hold?
I was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, and I served as the Historian and Fellowship Vice President. I was also a member of the Women’s soccer team, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Chi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Pi Gamma Mu, Alpha Kappa Delta, and a Trumpeter- McDaniel’s Leadership Honor Society.
Have you enjoyed your time at McDaniel? If so, what did you enjoy the most?
I loved my time at McDaniel. I have had incredible learning experiences, made amazing relationships with friends, staff, and faculty, and have had so much personal growth. What I enjoyed the most at McDaniel was the tight-knit, supportive community we have and my liberal arts education. I genuinely enjoyed learning about a breadth of subjects and making connections across disciplines.
Who do you think was/is your best mentor?
My best mentors were psychology professor Dr. Chalk and sociology professor Dr. Dundes. I am forever grateful for their enthusiastic teaching, dedication to helping students succeed, and their constant advice and guidance. They are phenomenal professors who I highly respect.
Describe your favorite memory at McDaniel.
My favorite McDaniel memories are my travel opportunities. I am fortunate to have traveled to the Bahamas and Greece for Jan-Term trips, and to Germany and Switzerland with the women’s soccer team. I made unforgettable memories on these trips and increased my appreciation for new cultures and widened my global perspective.
I also loved watching athletics games with friends and going on Blitz trips whenever I could! I went to Washington Capital’s hockey games and spent a day in DC exploring museums, for example.
What are some of the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
During my first semester of my freshman year my grandfather passed away whom I had a strong relationship with. It was hard to process this loss while adjusting to college, but through the support of family and professors everything was okay. Another challenge I encountered was making the difficult decision to step away from women’s soccer. It was incredible to be a member of the team, but after three years I decided it was best to let go of something I love to focus on my career goals and carry greater responsibility in other areas where I could make a bigger impact.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I will be attending West Chester University to pursue a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology! I am super excited to begin this program in the fall.
What would you tell yourself as a first-year student at McDaniel?
Be bold. Try new hobbies, take classes that you are interested in, explore different clubs and organizations. Follow your passions and know that you will find your place. While you are busy working hard remember to pause and celebrate your progress. You will fail and you will succeed, but you will constantly grow and learn! Most importantly, enjoy the journey! Spend time with friends and say yes to adventure. Live in the moment and help others whenever you can along the way. And always be your best self.
Where do you see the world in 10 years?
I hope that in 10 years the world will be more accepting of all people, sustainable, and that there will be less violence.
How do you reflect on your senior year during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic?
It saddens me that a year and a half of my time at McDaniel was far different from the amazing McDaniel experience I was used to pre-covid. There were many losses and disappointments as a result of the pandemic that have been difficult to accept and process. However, I have certainly learned how resilient I am. As I reflect on my senior year I see that I made the most of it by continuing to enjoy campus life as much as possible, attending events of interest, interacting with professors and giving my best in classes, and spending quality time with my friends. Since the pandemic I have greater appreciation of my time spent at McDaniel, and I am cognizant that life is unpredictable so it is so important to take advantages of experiences in front of us. As Randy Pausch once said, “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the McDaniel community?
If I can share my advice to McDaniel students or prospective students based on my time here, it is to build relationships with your professors (get to know them and ask about their journey), take classes outside of your intended discipline to be well-rounded (you never know what you might of loved but never learned about), and get involved (clubs, organizations, on-campus employment etc.) to contribute to campus and you will learn so much about who you are, including your strengths and capabilities.
