Exploring Options, Discovering Purpose
Having someone there to reassure me and encourage me to open up changed the way I approached college... Explore Lehigh gave me the will to develop a clearer vision of what my future life might look like.
College:
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science
Academics:
Major:
Bioengineering
Hometown:
Herndon, Virginia
Activities:
Student Coordinator for the Community Service Office, Global Social Impact Fellow (fieldwork in Kazakhstan in the Summer of 2026 related to reducing excessive salt consumption), Lehigh Table Tennis Club, Society of Women Engineers
Q: What is one thing you would want a prospective student to know about Lehigh?
A: The Lehigh network is very interconnected, meaning the faculty here genuinely want to interact and explore ideas with you. Whether you are unsure about what you want to study, you have a question about a lecture, or you simply want to share something with your professor, they will listen to you. So don't be afraid to reach out. Classes are run in a way where every student has an opportunity to share their voice, and this is what makes college very different from high school. Lehigh won't allow you to simply sit back; it will teach you to engage and learn something new at any given moment!
Q: What is your favorite thing about Lehigh?
A: My favorite thing about Lehigh is how much effort students put into everything they do. You can tell that the students here genuinely want to learn and you can count on them to give you valuable feedback and thoughtful advice. I see this not only in classmates but also faculty, Gryphons, club leaders, and friends. Being surrounded by this makes me more motivated to try new things and branch out.
Q: How did Explore Lehigh help you develop your vision of what you want to do in college and beyond?
A: Our Explore Lehigh professor, Chris Kauzmann, provided countless insights when it came to life lessons, but I believe the most impactful thing he said to me was, "you are interesting”. It sounds silly, but having someone there to reassure me and encourage me to open up changed the way I approached college. I had spent most of my life driven by the value of being individualistic. And while this made me stronger in some ways, it often made me think there wasn't value in sharing ideas with others. Explore Lehigh gave me the will to change this and therefore develop a clearer vision of what my future life might look like. After speaking to my classmates and the numerous guest speakers/mentors of the program, I decided to pursue a major in bioengineering. This path will allow me to work with companies or potentially patients in order to improve the health and experience of those around me. If you have the opportunity to join Explore Lehigh -- even if you think you are certain of what you want to major in -- apply! I decided to become part of the program in order to understand all of my options when it came to majors, but I learned so much more.
Q: What inspired you to become a Global Social Impact Fellow, preparing to do fieldwork in Kazakhstan? What does this opportunity mean to you?
A: The single most important concept emphasized by the GSIF program is impact. As a student, it can be easy to focus solely on your own learning journey, but this program forces you to think about how the work you do affects more than just yourself and more than just Lehigh. It encourages you to ignore limits and do anything humanly possible in order to make an impact on, in my case, the public health of Kazakhstan. I was originally interested in becoming an Impact Fellow because I cared about the problem my team was tackling (reducing excessive salt consumption) and I was thrilled by the opportunity to travel outside of the country. However, this experience has turned into a much larger learning opportunity. I now realize what the full definition of impact really is and how to start creating it.
Q: If you could fast-forward to your senior year, what’s one mark you hope to have left on this community?
A: One mark I hope to leave on Lehigh is being someone that other students, especially younger students, can look up to. By getting more involved on campus over my next three years, I will actively look for ways to utilize my background and experience in order to give valuable advice to others. Likewise, I hope to leave a mark on South Bethlehem as a whole. I have the amazing opportunity to work in the Community Service Office (CSO) as a Student Coordinator. Here, I get to work with other students to lead volunteer events that uplift the lives of Bethlehem families. Having a greater presence in this realm and ensuring that I do my part to support a community that supports me is another goal of mine.
Q: If you had to sum up your Lehigh journey so far in three authentic-to-you words, what would they be?
A: Refreshing, Intriguing, Exciting
Q: Where is your study spot of choice on campus?
A: Obvious but true answer: Linderman, particularly the couches and tables by the fireplace. Shoutout to HST with its indoor gardens as well!
Q: What is your favorite food spot, either on campus or in SouthSide Bethlehem?
A: I tried buffalo sauce for the first time at Lehigh and never looked back. My favorite food has to be the buffalo wings at the Lehigh Pub. Saxby's grilled cheese, Sizzling Bites, and The Grind's smoothies are also my go-to's.