What is your major and minor? What other academic programs were you a part of?
B.A. in Spanish, M.S. in teaching.
What are some of the jobs you held while at McDaniel?
Student ambassador in Admissions, graduate research assistant in Hoover Library.
What organizations were you a part of at McDaniel? What positions did you hold?
President of Kappa Delta Pi (education honor society), member of Phi Sigma Iota (world languages), Dorsey Scholar, Honors Program college scholar, Global Fellow.
Have you enjoyed your time at McDaniel? If so, what did you enjoy the most?
My favorite part of the McDaniel experience was finding kind people no matter what event I attended! My classmates smiled as they passed me, my professors were always welcoming, and I even made friends with my classmates’ parents that I regularly sat near during basketball and volleyball games.
Who do you think was/is your best mentor?
Without a doubt, my best mentor was Robin Townsend, the teacher professional development coordinator. Not only was she always so organized and “one step ahead” when it came to advising me through my academics, but she was determined to help me achieve my goals just as much as I was! She was so dependable, and I always knew that I could count on her to help me work through something until its very end. She is the reason I was able to complete the Five Year Program in four years, even when studying abroad and completing Honors. Robin helped me every step of the way, and I owe her the biggest thanks of all! Plus, she always had her candy basket stocked with the best treats for a rough day!
Describe your favorite memory at McDaniel.
My favorite memory at McDaniel was attending trivia with my roommates. We all have incredibly diverse interests, so that made us a strong team, and it was great to have one event that we all loved equally. We brought home a lot of first place wins together, and the nights we spent talking, laughing, and walking home after trivia are definitely some of my favorite times on campus.
What are some of the challenges you encountered and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I encountered was the struggle to balance intense academics with a social life, and my roommates (my best friends) were the best support system. They were always sure to check in with me about how I was feeling, supported my focused work time, and always reminded me that I had to take care of myself, too! I couldn’t have done it without them.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I have accepted a contract to teach Spanish in Baltimore County Public Schools! This is where I grew up, so I am excited to give back to my community.
What would you tell yourself as a first-year student at McDaniel?
As a first-year student, I would tell myself to spend as much time outside of my room as possible. If you want to hang out and talk, do it outside. Enjoy being on the campus as much as you can because it won’t be your home forever. It sounds clichéd, but it really will disappear in the blink of an eye!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the McDaniel community?
I wanted to give special recognition to Dr. Robert Kachur. He is by far the most creative and exciting professor that I had. Even his tests were creative! He is absolutely an expert in his field and was able to provide so much context and background in each class. He was also so supportive as my FYS professor and demonstrated caring and sensitivity to his students’ needs and workloads. It was always a joy to be in his classroom; I always left with a smile!
