1. Global Awareness
Expanding my knowledge and appreciation for global diversity is important for my growth as a global citizen. In an ever-connected, global society, it is crucial to possess effective skills of understanding, collaboration, and communication. During my time at Ohio State I have had multiple opportunities to expand my global awareness. I am currently a part of the Morril Scholars Program, through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. As a Morril Scholar I have been presented me with an array of opportunities to learn about other cultures and persons. The Morril Scholars Program holds many events that provide in depth lessons about accepting diversity of thought and being. In addition it has been a forum to learn how to better promote diversity within my local, Ohio State, and global community. For example, through an ODI hosted event I was able to listen to the President of the NAACP speak about community respect and acceptance.
2. Original Inquiry
I have had the exciting opportunity to engage in original inquiry by working as an undergraduate research assistant. This past fall, I was selected to work with Ohio State Law School Professor, Creola Johnson. Ms. Johnson was working on writing a paper for the Duke Law Journal about Consumer Debt Criminalization and Extortion Tactics. Specifically I investigated the work of a creditor company, CashBiz, and their strategies to extort finances from their indignant customers. I highly enjoyed researching this topic as I hope to pursue a career in law, and this project gave me a glimpse into better understanding financial law. In the future, I hope to further my work towards original inquiry by working as an intern at the Ohio State House to broaden my political science degree experience. I am enticed by an internship with state government officials because of the breadth of knowledge that I will acquire, as well as the system of networking it will help to create.
3. Academic Enrichment
Academically, I am a high achieving student with a strong sense of inquiry. I demonstrate disciplined work skill habits, both in and out of the classroom. My academic interests include opportunities to participate in collaborative work group discussions. I benefit from assignments that provide the opportunity to publicly present. I have discovered that I have a strong thirst to learn, with a motivation to excel. In school, I have a strong interest in the area of social sciences. I enjoy examining the past and how it applies for a better understanding of the present. The cause and effect of human interaction fascinates me because human decision-making is complex.
I have pursued, and plan to continue seeking academic enrichment at Ohio State by taking a rigorous course load. As my honors contract demonstrates, I like to challenge myself by taking upper level courses in a wide range of subject fields. In addition, I have attempted to further challenge by minoring in two subject areas. In regards to my major, I am enticed by Political Science because this dynamic field offers unique challenges for peace development, impartial political power, and equitable/fair justice. To align with my academic and career interests I have attempted to take General Education courses that I believe will help develop the skills and knowledge set desired for my professional aspirations.
4. Leadership Development
I have worked to be actively involved outside of my academic work. For the past two years I have been a member of the Undergraduate Government. My experience within USG has included work as both a Committee Representative (Health & Safety; Student Affairs) and as a General Assembly Senator. My service in USG has shaped my ability for understanding how to better lead a diverse group with diverse opinions to prosperity. I have learned how to better accept the ideas of others and that compromise is essential in the survival of the political game. In addition, the Undergraduate Student Government has allotted me with the opportunity to understand how to best collaborate with my peers and administrators. Through my work as a committee representative and a senator, I was taught how to reach out to faculty and administrators. I learned how to maintain professionalism while actively seeking support on committee projects.
The Undergraduate Student Government has helped to foster my leadership skills, while allowing the opportunity to provide essential service support for the Ohio State community. As a USG leader I have been able to promote remedies for achieving university affordability, operational management, and resource stewardship. The experience with Ohio State’s University, Undergraduate Student Government has helped prepare me for a potential career in law and politics by teaching me how to best access my civic strengths, while bridging a path towards civic involvement.
Another extracurricular that has been essential in the development of my skills as a leader has been my sorority, Pi Beta Phi. As a sorority woman I have been able to network with even more students of the Ohio State Community, while working to serve my chapter as a positive agent of change. Within Pi Phi, I have had the opportunity to represent my chapter in front of the Pan-Hellenic Association and work as historian. As historian, I have been able to ensure that our traditions and annual events are properly documented for future years. Pi Phi has taught me acceptance and communication; skills crucial for successful leadership.
5. Service Engagement
I have actively served my local, national, and global community through dedication to my sorority’s philanthropy. Our philanthropy is Read.Lead.Achieve, a national organization that works to combat childhood illiteracy. I have demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting literacy through book drives, volunteering in an impoverished school district, and fundraising at organized service events where all proceeds go to Read.Lead.Achieve. Thanks to Pi Phi I have become connected with a service organization that promotes a cause I am passionate about. In the future, I plan to continue my work for Read.Lead. Achieve, and I hope to volunteer for other organizations like BuckeyeThon, or College Mentors for Kids.