Giving back has been a consistent and intentional commitment throughout my academic and professional journey. I view service as both a responsibility and a privilege, one that requires consistency, humility, and a willingness to meet people where they are while also helping them envision what is possible. My current efforts to give back center on strengthening student success, supporting youth development, and contributing to mental health and recovery-focused services. Across each setting, my goal is to promote belonging, wellness, and opportunity for individuals and communities that have historically faced barriers to support and resources. Currently, I give back through my work at The Ohio State University, where I contribute to programs that advance student engagement, retention, and holistic development. As a Graduate Teaching Associate in Buckeye Commons, I conduct research and conceptualize student-centered initiatives that support student success outcomes. I assist in developing proposals for foundational programming, strengthening campus partnerships, and creating outreach materials that improve access to information and opportunities. In addition, my work involves identifying and connecting students to campus resources and support services that promote well-being, stability, and academic persistence. This work is impactful because it supports students not only academically, but also socially and emotionally, which are critical components of long-term success. My commitment to giving back also includes direct mentorship and community engagement. Through my work with the Center for Belonging and Social Change, I supported weekly connection groups, student ambassador initiatives, and volunteer projects that foster belonging across diverse student populations. I supervised undergraduate student leaders in the Men of Tomorrow Program and facilitated workshops designed to support the social-emotional development and identity formation of male middle school students. This work emphasized confidence-building, mental wellness, and future-oriented planning, while also addressing practical needs such as providing hygiene resources to support student readiness for learning. These experiences reinforced my belief that service must be both empowering and tangible, addressing immediate needs while building long-term capacity. In addition, my internship at Bell Consultation Services has allowed me to give back through recovery-centered and mental health support. I prepare and facilitate curriculum for adults recovering from addiction, co-facilitate adult mental health group sessions, and assist with individual counseling support and case management. This experience has strengthened my understanding of the importance of emotional regulation, relapse prevention, and consistent community-based support in helping individuals sustain recovery and rebuild their lives. It has also deepened my commitment to trauma-informed practice and the belief that healing becomes more sustainable when individuals feel supported, connected, and equipped with effective coping strategies. Looking ahead, I plan to positively impact the world through continued education, public service, and leadership grounded in equity and holistic community development. In addition to completing my Master of Social Work, I intend to pursue a doctoral degree in education to strengthen my ability to influence systems, policy, and institutional practices that shape outcomes for students and communities. Ultimately, I aspire to serve as the Mayor of Columbus, where I would work to rejuvenate the city through holistic, prevention-focused approaches that prioritize mental wellness, educational opportunity, public safety, and community stability. My vision for leadership includes reallocating and aligning resources toward neighborhoods and populations that have been historically underserved, ensuring that support reaches those who truly need it. By integrating lived experience, academic training, and community-centered practice, I aim to lead with integrity and create sustainable change that strengthens Columbus for future generations.

My commitment to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of others has been demonstrated through consistent service in higher education, youth development, and clinical settings. Across these environments, I have prioritized creating supportive spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and equipped with practical tools to navigate stress, identity development, and life challenges. My approach emphasizes relationship-building, skill development, and connecting individuals to resources that promote stability and growth. In my role as a Graduate Teaching Associate with The Ohio State University’s Center for Belonging and Social Change, I supported weekly connection groups and student engagement initiatives designed to strengthen belonging and community connection. These spaces provided opportunities for students to process experiences, reduce isolation, and build interpersonal support networks. I also supervised undergraduate student leaders in the Men of Tomorrow Program, where mentorship and emotional support were essential components of leadership development. Additionally, I designed and facilitated workshops for middle school male students that promoted social-emotional development, positive identity formation, and mental wellness. By integrating structured activities, reflective discussions, and future-oriented goal setting, I encouraged students to build confidence and strengthen coping skills that support both academic engagement and emotional resilience. My work has also included direct service with youth through Freedom School, where I served as a mentor and role model while supporting social-emotional learning and positive classroom communication. These experiences reinforced the importance of early intervention, consistent encouragement, and culturally responsive support in promoting mental health outcomes. Currently, as a Clinical Counseling Intern at Bell Consultation Services, I contribute to adult mental health and recovery-focused services by preparing and facilitating curriculum for individuals recovering from addiction and co-facilitating adult mental health group sessions. I assist with individual counseling support and case management, and collaborate with clinical processes such as reviewing medical information and drug screening results to support continuity of care. This role has strengthened my understanding of the relationship between mental health, substance use, and emotional regulation, and reinforced the value of structured group support. Through my Master of Social Work studies, I plan to deepen my clinical knowledge, strengthen my ability to apply trauma-informed and strengths-based interventions, and expand my capacity to support individuals across diverse backgrounds. In my future career, I intend to provide emotionally supportive services that promote healing, resilience, and empowerment, while contributing to programs that reduce barriers to care and create stronger communities.

Humanitarian service has been a sustained and guiding commitment throughout my academic and professional development. My service is grounded in the belief that community well-being is strengthened through consistent investment in people, equitable access to resources, and the creation of environments that promote dignity, belonging, and opportunity. Across higher education, youth development, and behavioral health settings, I have engaged in service-oriented work that addresses both immediate needs and longer-term outcomes related to educational attainment, mental wellness, and community empowerment. Within The Ohio State University, I have contributed to student success and engagement initiatives through roles in the Office of Student Life and the Center for Belonging and Social Change. In these positions, I have supported weekly connection groups, student ambassador initiatives, volunteer projects, and community-based programming designed to strengthen student belonging and retention. I have also assisted in the planning, implementation, and assessment of large-scale heritage and awareness month programming, including major events such as the Student Empowerment Conference and A Day in the Life of a Buckeye. These experiences reflect my commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments where students are supported holistically and encouraged to persist academically and personally. In addition, my work has included outreach and partnership-building through tabling, networking, and collaboration with campus stakeholders to expand participation and strengthen pathways to campus resources. My humanitarian engagement extends beyond the university setting through direct service and mentorship with youth. As a facilitator within the Men of Tomorrow Program, I designed and implemented workshops and structured activities that supported the personal, social, and mental development of male middle school students. This work included intentional efforts to promote academic motivation and future orientation by introducing goal-setting practices and exposing students to educational opportunities beyond their current environment. I also provided tangible supports, including hygiene products, to promote student wellness and readiness to learn. Furthermore, I integrated STEM concepts and critical thinking activities into programming to broaden students’ academic horizons and increase awareness of potential career pathways. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate my commitment to addressing both the social and practical barriers that can limit student engagement and success. Additionally, through my service with Schealthness Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School, I served as a mentor and role model for elementary-aged scholars. I supported literacy development through the Integrated Reading Curriculum, facilitated large-group learning experiences, and contributed to social-emotional skill development. I also participated in advocacy-oriented service initiatives, including a National Day of Service project addressing gun violence prevention, and completed the Ella Baker Children’s Policy Training, which expanded my understanding of how policy, community education, and youth advocacy intersect to support social change. Currently, my humanitarian service includes clinical support for adults navigating substance use recovery and mental health challenges through my internship at Bell Consultation Services. In this setting, I prepare and facilitate curriculum for adults in recovery, co-facilitate mental health group sessions, and assist with individual counseling support and case management tasks. I also review medical information and drug screening results to support continuity of care and informed treatment planning. This experience has reinforced my commitment to providing evidence-informed support that promotes stability, self-efficacy, and sustained wellness. My educational goal of earning a Master of Social Work will strengthen my ability to serve communities through advanced clinical training, ethical practice, and systems-informed intervention. The MSW will enhance my capacity to integrate direct service with prevention-focused programming, trauma-informed approaches, and community-based advocacy. Ultimately, I intend to continue giving back through professional work that expands access to mental health support, strengthens student and youth development outcomes, and advances community justice through sustainable, equity-centered practice.