WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WVU?
I chose to attend WVU over other elite universities because of the stellar support systems among students and between students and faculty. When I visited campus for the Discover WVU Day, I had the opportunity to visit with a professor in my major and was introduced to other students and faculty in the program. It was evident at that time that students’ ambitions were supported by their peers and faculty within the program, and that experience made me envision myself as a WVU student. I also learned about the limitless opportunities for research at WVU as an R1 research institution, and was greatly motivated by the idea of being involved in research as early as my freshman year. Because of the perfect balance between community support and academics and research, I was (and still am) proud to continue my higher education at WVU.
What is your favorite Mountaineer memory?
My favorite Mountaineer memory was when our class took the picture of us standing in the shape of West Virginia at the end of Monday Night Lights. As I was standing in the state, I reconnected with many of my old friends but also made several new friends. While we sang Country Roads together afterward, I knew I made the right decision to be part of the WVU family!
Why did you want to become a PSA?
I wanted to become a PSA because I want to meet and support amazing students in their WVU journey. I was fortunate to be guided by former PSAs as I applied to WVU and throughout my freshman year, and they inspired me to give back by helping the next generations capitalize on all the opportunities offered by a WVU education. I am particularly committed to uplifting first-generation Americans, girls, and rural students like myself.
I was also motivated to become a PSA because it represents an opportunity to channel my skill sets to advocate for WVU students. PSAs are the bridge between the administration and students, and I hope to communicate student’s evolving needs to decision-makers in the administration and to represent and learn from students of diverse perspectives.
What did you learn from the PSA experience?
The PSA program gave me two important insights: The only direction is up. Take people with you there. I have learned that the best ways to accomplish these goals are to recognize my priorities, and say “yes” to learning through experiences, opportunities, and connections. Every time you focus on a project and become immersed in opportunities, you take away a lesson that can help you step up in the world. Through gaining this knowledge, you are also better equipped to help others up. I am grateful for the chance to connect with several like-minded peers and experienced professionals, whose stories inspired me to carve out my own path and recognize what is important to me. Finally, I was honored to represent my university and give back through service and collaboration with administration and student leaders.
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