Degree: B.A. in Human Geography
How did the Stamps Scholarship help shape your undergraduate experience?
It played a defining role in my development. The Stamps Scholarship enabled a depth and experience in my education that I would not have been able to obtain on my own. The Scholarship allowed me to study for a semester in Paris, intern with US Military Intelligence in the United Kingdom for a month, and travel to Uganda to conduct research on my senior thesis. I am a different person for all of it.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
Work hard and be nice. It is the right thing to do, and the right people will notice. That is the path to success.
Who has had the greatest impact on you throughout your college career and how so?
My academic advisor, Dr. Jon Malinowski, has been a great mentor and friend. As a young sophomore, I took his class on global cultures. It was the best classroom experience I have ever had, and I found myself in his office regularly, whether to talk politics or show off my new ukulele. He opened my eyes to the field of Geography, sharing his passion for a subject that I now love.
Please share your most memorable Stamps Scholar experience.
During my trip to Uganda, I spent significant time at Makerere University in Kampala. While there, I had the chance to engage with scholars and students my age. I actually sat in on several classes in their Geography Department and participated in discussions. It was a remarkable experience to engage in that setting over a shared subject far from where I ever imagined doing it.
Plans after graduation?
I will commission as a Second Lieutenant in Military Intelligence. My first assignment will be in South Korea.