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In 20 words or less, what is the best thing about being part of this department?
Being a part of a diverse group of majors that all share a passion for the well-being of the planet.

What is your biggest piece of advice to first years and sophomores about getting connected to this department?
Use the intersectionality of the department to connect with other majors and programs. That way, you can expand your comfort zone while remaining focused on the natural world.

What is something you know now that you wish you could tell your first-year self?
Give yourself time and grace to adjust. K can be rigorous and intense, but the people here want you to succeed.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned at K?
Don’t underestimate your own abilities.

What has been your favorite class at K? 
I took Reading the World Environments: Gardens, and I loved it. I’m able to practice necessary writing and reading comprehension skills while enjoying well-written, interesting material. I’m also able to get hands-on experience in a real garden within the community, taking me out of the K Bubble.

How have you taken advantage of the flexible curriculum or experienced breadth?
I was able to take classes in political science, art, and English, allowing me to add to my ANSO knowledge in unofficial ways. Both environmental studies and sociology can be applied to any topic, so I find it nice to jump around and still connect back to my main interests. Many classes even encouraged me to connect different subjects within my final paper.

What experiential education opportunities have you participated in?
I’ve worked through multiple classes to do civic engagement at local schools such as Woodward and El Sol. Both opportunities allowed me to put my education into practice and connect with incredible community members.

What is your SIP?
I will be researching a proposed ADA-accessible bathroom that would have been placed on my hometown beach in Frankfort. The community, however, felt as though the bathroom would diminish the aesthetic value of the view, leading to a pause in development. For my research, I will explore the themes employed by different individuals in opposition to the bathroom to gain a better understanding of belonging and the sometimes contradictory intersection of environmental and social justice.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I would like to find a career that works at the intersection of environmental and social justice, combining my two passions. Although I’m not currently sure how that will look, I hope to travel and gain more experience before deciding on pursuing a graduate degree.

What is a random fun fact about you?
After working on a farm in Cedar, Michigan, I know how to milk goats! I also have celiac, so ask me for gluten-free recommendations!