What makes you a Difference Maker?

I'm a Difference Maker because of my involvement in student orgs, teams and groups that vary greatly. I feel connected to the local community through Mentors for a Brighter Day in which we go into Dearborn elementary schools, but Irish American Club and Model Arab League enabled me to explore the international community. Beyond that, I'm a student athlete as part of UM-Dearborn's Honors College and the women's varsity cross country team. As cross country captain, I'm involved with both the team and the athletics department through SAAC and ELC. Sometimes it's difficult to balance school, athletics, campus involvement and a job, but I love to be busy. Hopefully, these experiences at UM-Dearborn have been as impactful on the campus community as they have been on me.

Highlight your campus achievements:

Throughout involvement in various orgs and groups, I've managed to produce a solid academic career in the Honors College, as a Chancellor's Scholar, and as an athlete (NAIA Scholar-Athlete 2016-2017). On the cross country team, I was awarded the WHAC Champions of Character by the conference after the 2016-2017 season. After participating in Model Arab League for the first time this year, I received the Outstanding Delegate award for my representation of Oman.

Highlight your leadership experiences both on and off campus:

I’ve been a member of the UM-Dearborn women's cross country team since 2014, and was named captain prior to the 2016 season. As captain, I also serve as the women's cross country representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. I currently serve as treasurer/vice president of Mentors for a Brighter Day (MBD) after taking over the org in 2015. As a student org, MBD operates off campus in various Dearborn elementary schools in order to pair mentors with students. It's been incredibly rewarding to watch the program and students grow over the years. This fall, I helped create the Irish American Club and currently sit on the original executive board as secretary. All of these opportunities have shaped me into a more well-rounded leader.

What is your dream career and/or long term life goal?

Because of my honors and political science professors, I’m constantly reminded that I'm moving in the right direction in terms of a career, but transitioning from college to the workforce is daunting. I'm passionate about politics and a broader awareness of our place in the global community. So whether or not I pursue a graduate degree immediately, the dream is to work campaigns, in international development, or even the policymaking process in the future. Recently I received some excellent advice: try everything, stay proactive. While the political science career path is not linear, staying involved and engaged will ultimately lead me to a fulfilling career, I hope.

What was your most defining moment at UM-Dearborn?

My most defining moment at UM-Dearborn is my internship with Peace Corps in Washington, D.C. over the summer of 2016. Peace Corps and D.C. proved a testing ground for application of the knowledge and the experiences I had accumulated on campus. Not only was I introduced to the inner workings of the federal government, but I also took part as a liaison between government/non-government actors, the Hill, the State Department and PC host country envoys. Living and working in such close proximity to the action confirmed that I was in the right place. Most importantly, this moment served as a reminder that I'm capable of existing in the political world, and as encouragement to return to D.C. as a contributor to meaningful change—in whatever capacity that may be.