An important component of my OSU journey is the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.; G.O.A.L.S. stands for: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. In discussing G.O.A.L.S., I will be writing about my current, planned, and future activities that fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness is a focal point of my experience thus far in college. Currently I am a member of the International Affairs Scholars Program (IA). This scholars program is a community of students dedicated to engaging in the international world and forming a more global perspective. This program has, and continues to, broaden my mind to the issues others face and the personal biases that limit me. This program especially broadened my view, as I participated in my first study abroad program while a member. I studied Indian Culture and Eastern Religion fora semester, followed by studying abroad in India for two weeks. This taught me that, often times, hands-on experiences are the best way to broaden your view. I am forever changed for the better with regard to my perspectives, thanks to the IA program.  I intend to continue developing my understanding of the world through my next study abroad opportunity, which will be an internship with Canadian Parliament in Summer of 2016.

Original Inquiry is an important step in an individuals academic development. It is, for many, the birth of individual critical thinking and is what teaches students how to ask questions in the real world. I have already begun doing this through a policy paper I composed on the Dayton, Ohio Manufacturing Job Crisis. I outlined the issues facing this city, how they came about, their effects, and how to go about remedying them. I intend to continue my efforts with original inquiry through my next research study in my Canadian Politics class. This research will focus on the socioeconomic barriers Aboriginal Candians face, how they came about, why they persist, what the Canadian populations’ opinion on the issues are, and how dealing with these issues can begin. Through my strides with original inquiry, I hope to learn about the issues different populations face, how to analyze issues, and how to create solutions to those issues. Original inquiry is especially important, as it teaches me how to understand and solve problems.

Academic Enrichment is a topic I hope to fully utilize to better prepare myself to perform strongly in the workforce. My goal is to have a career focused on improving the communities around me, which is why I major in Political Science. However, I also know that to understand the communities around me you must also understand businesses, how to make them prosperous, how they affect people, and how they are affected by people. Businesses are a fundamental component of what makes any community run. Therefore, I am double majoring in Business as well. In effort to keep myself globally minded, I also have a minor in German. Through diversifying my education in these ways, I hope to have uniquely developed perspectives and experiences that will allow me to solve community problems in effective ways. This diversified and rigorously challenging course-load demonstrates my commitment to my education. I hope to graduate not only a highly educated student, but also one who took to the time to enrich my education to make myself a unique individual.

Leadership Development is crucial in fostering responsibility and growth in any individual. I have immersed myself in leadership roles through my role as Director of Academics in Learning for the Board of Activities for Smith-Steeb (Our Residence-Hall’s Leadership Council). I was tasked with forming programs that brought the OSU community together, while keeping these programs Academically geared. It was through experiences like these that I learned how effective leadership roles can be. They can help bring a community together, and teach both the leader and others. I have been hired to be a Residents’ Advisor next year where I hope to lead residents and form stronger communities amongst them! These experiences have shaped me as a leader. I am a person who must lead by example. I have found that when a leader is heavily involved with all of their teammates, it not only makes the team more cohesive, but furthers productivity. As I enter my career, these skills will be crucial for working effectively with my coworkers and effectively accomplishing work-related goals.

Service Engagement is an important part of giving back, and paying forward, in any community. I have grown deeply fond and involved in BuckeyeThon; A year long fundraiser that culminates in a 24-hour dance-marathon, where all funds raised go to children of the Hematology/Oncology/BMT Department of Columbus’ Nationwide Children’s Hospital. I was a fundraising member my first year with the program, and became a Captain of fundraising for my International Affairs Scholars Program this year. I helped organize my teammates fundraising efforts and we ended the year with over $1800 raised! I plan to continue working with BuckeyeThon throughout the rest of my college experience. This organization has shown me the power people can have when they come together to help deal with issues.