Honors GOALS

1. Global Awareness

My intended coursework and my previous coursework has helped me to develop my Global Awareness.  Studies of African American Literature, Roman Classics, Spanish, and the History of HIV/AIDS have focused on understanding cultures that are different from my own.  I intend to continue studying other cultures through literature as part of my English major.  Additionally, I am on the rowing team where I daily interact with students from many other countries.  Out of the eight rowers in my boat, six are international students from five different countries.  Working with them and getting to know them and the other international students on the team has allowed me to better understand the differences between our cultures as well as the similarities.  I would like to further develop my global awareness by engaging in a medical mission trip or study abroad service trip in the summer of my junior year.

2. Original Inquiry

I have always been very interested in the field of immunology in medicine.  This past summer, I worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the department of allergy and immunology investigating the creation of mucus cells in epithelial lung cells following post-viral asthma.  This initial foray into the realm of research has motivated me to undertake further research in immunology.  This upcoming summer, I will be working with Dr. Alexa Meara at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center on several of her projects connected to rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and lupus.  Through this research, I will also be specifically looking at the importance of patient-physician communication in medicine.  I hope to continue research in immunology either by further work with Dr. Meara or by undertaking my own individual research in the future.

3. Academic Enrichment

I have a very unorthodox realm of academic interests.  As indicated on my contract, I am an English major on the pre-medicine track.  The diversity in my academic interests is demonstrated by my dedication to both the humanities and the sciences.  My studies in English literature serve to help me understand human nature throughout history and between cultures as I study literature from different places and time periods.  English is also a subject for which I have always cherished a strong passion.  I also think that a strong background in the humanities will help me to be a better physician in the future.  I will be able to communicate effectively with patients and coworkers to ensure that I can administer the best care possible.  My pre-medicine pathway is also accompanied by a biology major with many of the courses revolving around human anatomy, human physiology, and biochemistry which will definitely be useful for a career in medicine.  My academic pathway allows me to follow both my passion for English and medicine while still challenging myself by taking several additional upper division level classes and honors classes.

4. Leadership Development

I am a member of the Ohio State Women’s Varsity Rowing Team.  Being a Division 1 athlete requires a large amount of time management and organizational skills.  Specifically on the rowing team, we have a very disciplined schedule and a strong team culture focused on a good work ethic and team work.  With two daily practices, weekend training, training trips over breaks, and races all over the country in the spring, I have become very good at managing my time so that I can be a dedicated teammate and continue to excel in the classroom.  Furthermore, I hold a unique position on the team as the first varsity 8 coxswain.  A coxswain is in charge of steering the shell safely, motivating the rowers, and leading them to success both during practices and on race day.  I am responsible for my rowers, my boat, and making sure that we have the best races and practices possible.  Being the coxswain of the top boat also requires me to be an excellent coxswain and a leader for all of my teammates.  I help other coxswains to develop their skills and I work with all of my teammates throughout the year to help them improve.  Despite being one of the smallest members of the team, my role is first and foremost to be a strong leader.  Rowing has taught me the importance of being an organized, disciplined, and dedicated leader.  I have become a strong leader on my team early in my career and because of the culture on my team, I have learned to lead people to a level of excellence that was once beyond their imaginations.  This has been the most impactful experience of my collegiate career and I intend to continue rowing and growing as a leader.

5. Service Engagement

I volunteer weekly at the James Cancer Hospital as part of the Restful Nights program.  We visit patient rooms and provide donated goods such as books, magazines, knit hats, word searches and other puzzles, and other items to help make the patient more comfortable during their stay at the James.  We are able to interact with patients and their families and bring them a small bit of joy during a difficult time.  I have found this experience to be very uplifting because I feel like I am able to brighten up the patient’s day by a short visit.  I also participate in the 2^nd&7 program through the Athletic Department.  We read to 2^nd graders at elementary schools in the Columbus area weekly to teach them the importance of healthy living, education, and hard work.  I have enjoyed interacting with these kids because I am able to give them some tools for a successful life.  Especially when we attend underprivileged schools, I feel as if I am able to make a difference in the futures of some of the students.  I am planning on continuing with the 2^nd&7 program as well as volunteering at the James in order to positively imp