Insightful Experience
As a Global Social Impact Fellow working with mothers in Sierra Leone, every day was a new experience. The work made me think, ‘This is who I want to be.’ I want to give those without voices a voice by telling their stories.
College:
College of Arts & Sciences
Program(s):
Major:
Journalism
Minor:
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Hometown:
Philadelphia, PA
Activities:
Photo editor for The Brown and White, Marcon Institute Documentarian
Q: What is one thing you would want a prospective student to know about Lehigh?
A: I would want prospective students to know in general that the college experience is different for everyone, what really matters is allowing yourself the ability to be yourself unapologetically—especially on a campus like Lehigh. You’re going to compare yourself to others, times might be tough and you might reconsider some things, but at the end of the day only you can control your path—no one else.
Q: How has Lehigh prepared you to take on tomorrow’s challenges?
A: Lehigh has definitely prepared me with a range of skills and lessons, one of them being career and professional development—thanks to the career center (Center for Career & Professional Development), I became more confident in my networking skills which is something that I believe is important no matter what it will and can get you somewhere far.
Q: As a first-generation student, where have you found support and mentorship at Lehigh? How has it shaped your experience?
A: I have found support and mentorship through the journalism department. I remember before I even began my freshman year, Professor Lule had reached out and met me over Zoom and I’m so grateful that he did. That meeting had a part in helping me settle into Lehigh and gave me a sneak peek at how supportive the journalism department is.
Q: What classroom or extracurricular activity at Lehigh helped you determine what you want to pursue in the future?
A: A class that helped me determine what I wanted to pursue in the future was actually my freshman seminar which was iPhoneography. It was basically a class where students took photos with their phones and learned how to edit those photos in Lightroom and how to change the settings on their iPhones to get really cool results. Combined with my interest in journalism, it just made me want to pursue photojournalism even more.
Q: Through Lehigh’s Global Social Impact Fellowship (GSIF) you went to Sierra Leone and were able to work to create a short documentary focused on addressing sustainable development challenges in low-income countries. Can you tell us about this experience?
A: Working with Global Social Impact Fellowship (GSIF), specifically Mothers of Sierra Leone, was such an insightful and eye-opening experience. I had never been abroad before so every day was a new experience for me and one that I will always look back on. Working with a community outside of my own and hearing the stories of mothers in Sierra Leone really made me grow as a person. The type of work made me think “This is who I really want to be.” I wanted to be someone to give those without voices a voice by telling their stories visually appealingly. In addition, I was lucky enough to have the team that I did. It felt like we were always helping each other and learning from one another.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Lehigh?
A: My favorite thing about Lehigh is definitely the Farmers Market that is hosted at Farrington Square every Thursday. I love just looking at all the vendors and what they have to offer.
Q: Where is your favorite study spot or place to relax on campus?
A: My favorite spot to study is the Lehigh University Art Gallery. Looking at the art that they have to offer is wonderful and it’s always so peaceful there.