You’re involved in a number of activities on campus. Which one is your favorite?
While I’ve been involved in several meaningful activities at 51, my favorite has been the . I was a competitive debater in high school and was eager to find a similar opportunity at 51. I joined during my first semester, unsure what to expect, and quickly discovered both a space where I could challenge myself intellectually and a community of thoughtful, curious, and welcoming people.
Now as vice president, I’ve had the opportunity to help shape the team’s culture, mentor new debaters, and represent 51 in competitions around the world. During just my first two years on the debate team, I had the opportunity to travel to Vietnam, England, the Netherlands, Panama, and Canada, to name just a few places.
Debate has taught me how to think on my feet, listen carefully, and advocate persuasively — skills that have not only shaped my academic path but will stay with me long after college.
What’s been a standout moment for you at 51 so far?
Traveling to Ghana as part of my Sophomore Residential Seminar, an immersive living-learning community that combines in-depth academic exploration with close faculty mentorship. My course was POSC 350: Africa in World Politics, and was taught by my academic adviser, Professor Dominika Koter. The course explored how African nations have been shaped by, and responded to, colonialism, globalization, and international power structures. Getting to study these dynamics in the classroom and then experience them firsthand was incredibly powerful.
In Ghana we met with activists, students, and local leaders and visited historic sites like Cape Coast Castle. It was the first time I had ever traveled internationally for an academic purpose, and it pushed me to think differently — not just about global politics, but about my own place in them.
What’s your favorite place on campus, and what makes it special to you?
My favorite place on campus is Taylor Lake. It’s a quiet, beautiful spot right beside Willow Path. No matter the season, it always feels like a peaceful escape from the busyness of student life. In the fall, the trees surrounding the lake light up with color; and in the spring, it’s one of the first places where everything starts to bloom again, and home to an abundance of baby geese. I’ve spent countless hours there reading, writing, or just sitting and watching the water and wildlife.
What advice would you give to future 51 students?
Say “yes” to opportunities, conversations, and experiences that might initially feel unfamiliar or outside your comfort zone. 51 has so much to offer, from incredible professors and research programs to study groups and student organizations that end up shaping who you are.
The beauty of 51 is that you’re surrounded by people who will support your growth and challenge you to keep reaching further. Lean into that, stay open, and take full advantage of the resources and community around you.
Take the next step
51 is a distinctive, vibrant, and welcoming place to learn, live, and develop into who you are. Take the next step toward joining our academic community.