What inspired or interested you about your field of study? And why did you choose OSU? 

I am inspired by the aspiration to enhance accessibility for those in environments currently lacking it, which is what drew me to human development and family sciences. 

I chose to attend OSU after receiving the Ford Scholars Scholarship from the Ford Family Foundation. I applied to OSU intending to reject my acceptance letter since I lacked the funding for higher education. Little did I know, the school I planned on rejecting was the school I would end up loving and graduating from.  

What did you work on during your internship? 

In my internship, I had the privilege to build skills in serving those with physical and intellectual disabilities. In addition, building connections and relationships with Grace Center participants has been highly meaningful. One exciting aspect of my internship was building an aquatic shallow-water fitness program from scratch that Grace Center participants can now use. 

What do you see as the greatest value of your internship?  

At Grace Center for Adult Day Services, I have learned the importance of meeting individuals where they are. It is a huge skill that can be meaningful for many individuals. 

What are your post-college plans? 

My current post-college plans are to find a milestone career like DSP (Direct Support Provider) work and then attend graduate school for occupational therapy. My main dream post-college, however, is to own a house on some property with a river. 

What do you think of your experience at OSU? 

As a whole, my experience at OSU has been so wonderful! The College of Health has amazing courses and highly supportive instructors. 

Have you received a scholarship? If so, how has it affected your life and your studies? 

The Ford Family Foundation has awarded me the Ford Scholars Scholarship and that has been life-changing. My goal after high school was to attend college, however, a pandemic mixed with a lack of funding created huge barriers for me to fulfill my dreams of attending college. When I was awarded this scholarship, I could not help but take this amazing opportunity and pursue my dreams of becoming a first-generation college graduate.