Degrees: B.A. in Journalism & Political Science
How did the Stamps Scholarship help shape your undergraduate experience?
The Stamps Scholarship enabled me to pursue incredible internships at the Brookings Institution and the Smithsonian Institution, and to study European policy and media at Katholieke Universiteit in Leuven, Belgium. These experiences have allowed me to explore so many facets of my majors and myself, sparking an interest in science writing and behavioral politics.
Tell us a piece of wisdom you’ve learned over the past four years.
I’ve discovered over the past four years, and through the support of the Stamps Foundation, that one of the best places to challenge yourself, to learn, and to grow is outside of your comfort zone. By pushing myself to embrace opportunities outside of what I was familiar with, I’ve come to see the world through a variety of lenses ‚Äì a myriad of angles. I believe these experiences have made me a more compassionate, adventurous, and imaginative person.
Who has had the greatest impact on you throughout your college career and how so?
One of my journalism professors, Jennifer Follis, has had an enormous impact on my college career because since my first day of freshman year until the day I graduate, she has encouraged me to tailor my education to my own strengths and interests. I started by taking a science writing course with her freshman year, and now she is my advisor for the NASA Space Grant project where I serve as Journalism Team Lead.
What’s your favorite Stamps Scholar memory?
My favorite Stamps memory has to be my pre-freshman year Outward Bound sailing trip. My ScholarSHIP mates and I worked ourselves to exhaustion each day as we rowed through thunderstorms down the coast of Maine. Yet each night as we laid across the oars, we would essentially laugh ourselves to sleep, reminiscing about all the crazy things that had happened that day.
What comes next?
This summer, I’ll be doing social media and marketing for a hostel in Carcavelos, Portugal. Afterwards, I plan on pursuing a career in science or policy communications.
Please share your favorite inspirational quote.
“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” – Vincent Van Gogh