G.O.A.L.S. is the basis behind the Honors and Scholars programs at The Ohio State University. This motto is used to help develop well rounded, active, conscientious students. Each student is to have their own spin on their G.O.A.L.S., and work toward achieving better goals throughout their career at The Ohio State University. Mine are currently as follows:

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. In the past few years I have been an active member of the Ulster Project. The Ulster Project is an exchange program between The United States and Northern Ireland that is centered around ending the disputes in Northern Ireland between Protestants and Catholics by integrating Protestant and Catholic teens from Northern Ireland and educating them about their similarities and the lack of necessity for an ongoing war over an issue started 100 years ago. My family has also adopted two kids from Bogota, Colombia, and integrated their culture into our house as we have raised them from a broken past to a promising future. These past experiences have led me to want to continue assistance in places less fortune than a sheltered campus in Columbus, and to help the world be a better place.
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. As a first year without any current external research my inquiry has been limited to the classroom. In my engineering classes I have had two major open ended projects. In the first project, a partner and I coded a video game of our creation on a Proteus Microcontroller. The second project which included the most original inquiry was a cross project between nanotechnology and microtechnology in a group of four members. In the micro portion of the project the adhesion of yeast cells to a PDMS surface in a microchip was evaluated with respect to variables such as the pH of the solution used to shear the cells. The variables were chosen and researched by the team. In the nanotechnology portion of the project a drop of human blood was to be assessed for a disease or condition of choice. Our group chose to create a nano chip that takes in a drop of blood, moves it through a chip uses differences in pressure, and breaks the blood down to analyze it for genetic codes related to mental disease. The coding project was completed with an A, but the technology project is not yet finished. External research is also in my sights for the near future.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom. In my first year at The Ohio State University through the engineering program I have taken seven core classes and completed eighteen honors credit hours. My current schedule has pushed me to the limits and forced me to expand those limits beyond what I thought was possible. In addition to the rigorous yet extremely beneficial academic schedule, I have expanded my musical knowledge by joining a competitive acappella group and independently studying vocals and guitar.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society. As a first year, not many opportunities for leadership have been available, except for those in engineering projects. In my engineering projects for both groups I have been in charge of the schedule and the distribution of assignments for the group. I am also campaigning for the position of President of the acappella group next year.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community. Coming into college my main service experience was in the aforementioned Ulster Project, but since being at The Ohio State University I have supported and contributed to both Off The Lake Productions and Mount Leadership Scholars in their service efforts and trips.