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

I am intensely interested in health disparities and global health, which inspired me to study public health. I chose Oregon State because it seems like the formatting of my program is very useful for a student like me who has multiple jobs, an internship and passions outside of school.

What are you doing in your internship and/or what is your main project?

I am studying and working on ways in which Student Health Services can be more LGBTQ+ friendly. I’m working with Helen Lee, a Public health practitioner and nurse who focuses on health disparities. I want to pursue a similar path as her so I am learning a lot. 

What do you see as the greatest value of your internship? Or, what have you learned the most in your internship?

The greatest value of my internship is that I have learned what it means to be engaged authentically with the community I am working with. I feel very attached to the LGBTQ+, especially QTIBIPOC, population of Corvallis. It is a privilege to work with this community.

So far, I have met a lot of students, staff and academicians who have inspired me. I’m especially inspired by students, staff, and academicians who are pursuing grad school or have pursued grad school and are either from historically marginalized communities or international students. It was a great privilege to get to know them.

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

In the school year of 2023-24 I received the S. Marie Harvey Sexual and Reproductive Health Fellowship and in the school year of 2024-25 I received the Dr. John Pinkerton Public Health Human Sciences scholarship.

What are your post-college dreams/plans?

I was recently accepted into the Peace Corps and will move to Moldova in June 2025. As a Health Education Volunteer, I will serve in the health sector for two and a half years. I am excited to learn Romanian and Russian, which are essential for my work, and perhaps even pick up some Ukrainian. I am eager to fully immerse myself in the Moldovan culture that is providing me with this incredible opportunity.

While in Europe, I also plan to backpack through the Balkans and former Soviet countries. After completing my Peace Corps service, I intend to return to school to study nursing in either Eastern Europe or Latin America, regions I deeply admire. I am considering joining Doctors Without Borders as a public health practitioner and future nurse.