Global Awareness: So far, I have developed my awareness of the global world through several classes. In my Honors Sociology class on race, gender, and social class stratification I learned about the global economy and the effects of globalization on the world economy and between-nation inequality. Additionally, I am currently taking a contemporary art history class and classic mythology, each of these granting me new ways in which to view global art forms, whether that be the visual arts or literature. Most importantly perhaps, I intend to study abroad in London at Richmond American International University the spring 2018 semester during my junior year. This experience, coupled with independent travel to other European countries during the semester, will teach me to understand and appreciate different global perspectives through complete immersion into new cultures. I would also love to participate in service in a different country sometime in my undergraduate career, possibly through OSU’s Buck-I-Serv program.

Original Inquiry: Through History of Art 4640, we have learned to examine not only the product, but also the creative process of making art. I have also began to question more thoroughly what constitutes art and who makes these seemingly arbitrary rules through open discussion led by the instructor. Moreover, I plan to begin research in a psychology lab this upcoming 2017 summer as well as all the following semesters I will be at OSU. Through close work with a faculty member or graduate student, I will learn about the vital processes of research and the importance of asking questions to this work. I hope to work in a lab that aligns with my interest in clinical work with children, so that I may further develop my understanding of the topic and the direction in which I want to apply these aspirations through independent undergraduate work or graduate level research.

Academic Enrichment: My Honors Contract demonstrates a diverse combination of liberal arts classes paired with the sciences with over 50 credit hours of upper level classes. My major in Psychology will prepare me for entering a PhD Child Clinical Psychology program in graduate school, whereas my minor in biology demonstrates my dedication to rigorous coursework and interest in the foundations of science. The GE courses selected represent my deep interest in cultural arts and in fact, some of my GE courses have been my favorite classes I have ever taken in my life. I wanted to choose classes that allow me to dig deeper into the cultural foundations of society and how the arts manifest themselves differently in our daily lives. Likewise, engaging in the STEP program at OSU has exposed me to the importance of the humanities and carrying out a balanced life in order to gain as valuable an experience as possible from my undergraduate education.

Leadership Development: I have gained leadership skills through many different activities during my college career thus far. For example, in my Youth and Family Instructor position at the RPAC I have learned how to actively engage not only with children on a frequent basis, but also how to attend to the varying needs and requirements of certain parents. During a Buck-I-Serv trip to New Orleans I actively engaged in various service types, which granted me tools on how to become an active and knowledgeable leader within a community. This particular experience has inspired me to want to not only attend another future service trip, but also apply for a leadership position on that trip so that I may guide my peers in having meaningful interactions with the community. Finally, I consider my most valuable leadership experience to have been through my internship at Super Kids Camp in Baltimore, Maryland this past summer. For seven weeks I independently taught environmental education and language arts skills to a class of about 15 students, ranging from incoming 2nd to 4th graders, in the one of the neediest areas of the Baltimore city. I learned to implement behavior management and empathize with children from many differing and diverse background. I was extremely nervous going into the internship as I had absolutely no previous experience with teaching, but in pushing myself out of my comfort zone I gained leadership skills and a unique experience that will be vital to any future leadership role I may obtain. My previous work with children and the empathy gained through experience in diverse cultures will aid me in preparing for a future career as a Clinical Child Psychologist

Service Engagement: Over the past two years of my time at Ohio State, I have participated in several service organizations. Primarily, I attended a Buck-I-Serve trip with the Break A Difference organization to New Orleans spring break of my freshman year. On this trip, we engaged in different service organizations around the city each day in order to gain exposure to a variety of ways in which to serve a diverse community. Furthermore, starting in March of my freshman year I began volunteering in the NICU of Grant Medical Center in downtown Columbus. This volunteering is continual to this current semester, however, I plan to begin service in a different field starting the Autumn 2017 semester. Hopefully I will find a position more suited to my future career in psychology, ideally I would like to volunteer at a suicide hotline as this is more in line with my therapy aspirations. I also would like to attend another Buck-I-Serv trip, except as a leader this time and to a foreign country as to push myself further out of my comfort zone and garner fresh perspectives.