Hey there! So much has changed over the past three years. I started out as a shy freshman from a small town in Southwest Virginia. I had no idea what I wanted to major or minor in, but I knew I’d be sticking to the natural sciences, and my course of study would have absolutely nothing to do with the arts—drawing would have to remain a hobby I made no time for. Ideally, I would join a lab and commit to it for the next four years.
I am now a rising senior majoring in psychology and minoring in visual arts on the pre-med track, and I couldn’t be more content with these decisions. I’ve been involved in numerous research projects in STEM and medicine, have taken a variety of interesting courses across disciplines, and am currently presiding over an art club I founded. More generally, I’ve made concrete steps toward achieving my career goals and creative dreams.
Amidst all this change, the Baldwin Scholars have been an anchor in my life. I am grounded by regular check-ins, trips to the Washington Duke Inn for afternoon tea, and our director’s fantastic baking. Moreover, I’ve become more comfortable embracing my own style of leadership, without feeling the need to fit a particular mold or follow a set path. Baldwin has changed me for the better, and I’d like to think I’ve made a mark of my own. I may be graduating in a year, but I know I'll always be a part of this amazing community (Alumni Network, here I come!).