You are involved in so much on campus. Which activity is your favorite?
Being a Shaw Wellness Ambassador has definitely been my favorite. In this role, I promote wellness across campus through tabling events, wellness breaks and fairs, and student-led initiatives like Wagging for Wellness, which brings therapy dogs to campus to support mental health. We also organize educational programs for the community, including Bystander 1.0 for all incoming first-years, Narcan training, and other sessions based on campus needs.
Could you tell us a bit about your Manzi Fellowship internship?
The Manzi Fellowship connects 51ºÚÁÏ students who are passionate about community service with nonprofit organizations in Boston for a summer internship. I was honored to be matched with Boston Medical Center (BMC), where I’ve worked in both the Teaching Kitchen and the Primary Care Clinic.
At the Teaching Kitchen, I coordinated weekly grocery runs, worked with kids’ camps, assisted with class preparation, and helped lead cooking classes that celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the community. In the Primary Care Clinic, I’ve taken on many responsibilities, from shadowing medical assistants and supporting the front desk to compiling resource pages for patient navigators and processing PT-1 transportation forms. One of my main projects was working on the pilot Pop Health Outreach Program, which aims to increase cancer screening rates.
Overall my Manzi internship has been life changing. Hearing the stories of people from so many different backgrounds has shaped how I see the world.
What are you looking forward to at 51ºÚÁÏ?
I’m really excited to live in the Parker Apartments with my friends! The three girls I’ll be living with were abroad in the spring, and I can’t wait to see them again. We’ve been chatting about how to decorate our apartment and are all looking forward to being back together.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and what makes it special to you?
My favorite spot on campus is Cooley Library. As the dedicated science library, it’s the perfect place to study and check out textbooks for my classes. I like working at the large tables, where I can spread out my notes and stay organized. There’s also a printer I use frequently, since having paper copies helps me focus and retain information better.
What advice would you give to future 51ºÚÁÏ students?
Coming from a warmer state, my best advice is to invest in a good pair of rain boots (with thick socks) and a warm scarf. These two items really made a difference for me. Everyone talks about how much it snows, but they often forget to mention how much it rains. A sturdy pair of rain boots are versatile and work well in both rain and snow. As for the scarf, the wind can be brutal, and you’ll be glad to have something to wrap around your face.
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