I am a junior mathematics major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Outside of class, I participate in several organizations on campus. I am a member of the Rose Drama Club and Alpha Omicron Pi. Additionally, I am the president of WMHD Radio and the Historian for Unity. I am also a student worker for the Sports Information Department. Participating in these organizations has been extremely rewarding as it has allowed me to meet new people, further my passion for music and discover my passion for theater. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to learn new skills, volunteer for the local community and international organizations, and develop my leadership abilities. After I graduate, I hope to work in applied mathematics, preferably in an industry setting. I am currently interested in the data science and data analysis fields as well as statistics. I hope to contribute to the field of math in several ways. Firstly, I hope to contribute to the field through innovative and creative approaches to problem solving such as finding new ways to model data. I also hope to help develop and expand the roles that those in data science and similar fields hold. I would be interested in working in areas that promote a better quality of life for minorities and help underserved communities. This could be accomplished by finding the biggest limiting factors and challenges that individuals in these groups face and then finding the most effective way to address the problems and mitigate their effects. I would also be interested in working in politics and defense as well. One example of this would be working with the government to determine the most successful strategies and tactics to use to increase the safety of those in the armed services as well as to protect the civilians in surrounding areas. Finally, I hope to illustrate to others that there are more options in mathematics fields besides teaching and research. Many of the careers and roles for mathematicians are not well known and this can make discovering one’s passion within the subject daunting and frustrating. I also hope to promote diversity within the field. While the field is becoming more diverse, it is sometimes difficult to see this and there is still progress to be made. Having diverse individuals in the field and allowing them equitable opportunities is one way to do this, since allowing people to see someone they identify with in their chosen field can be extremely impactful. Furthermore, creating and supporting programs that promote mathematics for children, especially for groups who would not usually be encouraged to pursue it or have access to similar programs. I hope to contribute to the mathematics field by advancing it in these ways as well as by inspiring others.

Halfway through my freshman year of college, I began to struggle with my schoolwork. While I had experienced academic struggles before I had always managed to work hard enough to maintain good grades, this time was different though. My grades were dropping, and my initial response was to work harder, which only led to more frustration, poor mental health, and eventually burnout. Finally, I decided to seek help. Several months later I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This changed my world. One of the most impactful changes that occurred was to my academics. Not only did this diagnosis allow me to receive the academic accommodations that I needed, but it also helped to change the way I approached learning. One challenge that accompanies my anxiety disorder is a slow processing speed. This means that it generally takes my brain longer to process things than it does for the average person. Throughout my early education, I learned to feel bad about the long time that I took to complete assignments. I was accused of talking too much, playing, or simply not trying. Thus, I grew up believing that this was simply a flaw in my work habits to be overcome. Unfortunately, this only led to more frustration, anxiety, and guilt. Learning more about my mental health and how my brain works has allowed me to find and implement strategies that help me learn better while protecting and caring for my mental health. This has benefited not only my academics but also my quality of life. Another change that occurred was how I approached my relationships, both with myself and others. I had to learn how to accept that while I could implement coping strategies, this would never fully go away and that the challenges I faced did not lower my worth. It allowed me to learn to see myself in a better light and to recognize and appreciate the effort I do make. Additionally, I learned how to create achievable goals for myself and to accept that all I can give is my best. I also became more confident in my interactions and relationships with others as a result of this. While I know that society has made advances in the acceptance of mental health, there is a lot of progress that still needs to be made. I have had experiences both on the internet and in my daily life that have demonstrated to me that not everyone is accepting and understanding of mental health issues. There are still many stigmas surrounding mental health disorders, and the quality of accommodations can vary greatly between different mental health disorders. This can make it hard for those with mental health disorders to reach out for help or support. The stigma around the care of mental health for everyone also poses problems. As it may discourage many from caring for their mental health or seeking help when they need it. In the future, I hope to spread awareness for, destigmatize, and support mental health.