Retrospective Reflection [2022-2026]

My volunteering at IU Indianapolis-specific events is evidence that my work achieves the IUI Honors College goal of contributing to my community. Specific volunteering events I have done on campus include Give Kids A Smile, Dental Hygiene Day, and Dental Hygiene Class of 2027 Orientation. These events showed me the importance of giving back to my community and providing services to them.

At Give Kids A Smile (2024-2026), I directly contributed to the community by interacting with families that came to the school for dental care. I was able to provide preventative care to children and communicate the necessity of that care to the guardians. These events are very large and each year, over 100 children were given free dental care. I contributed to my community greatly by helping numerous children each year. The statistics released for 2026 include: 115 patients treated, 170 sealants placed, and an estimated $26,019 in free services rendered. For many children at this event, it was the first time they had ever been to the dentist. After the event, 77 children will come back to the school and continue care. It is amazing to be able to support the community by volunteering at events like this. 

Dental Hygiene Class of 2027 Orientation (2025) gave me the opportunity to learn about the students in the year below me. I was able to be on a Q&A panel and answer questions as they started the program. It ranged from "Where should I live" to "What textbooks should I actually purchase". This small community definitely benefitted during this orientation, so that they were prepared for their first week of classes. I especially enjoyed getting to form a connection with the new students, so that they know they can come to me for advice during the next 1.5 years. 

During Dental Hygiene Day (2026), I was able to talk with prospective students about the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs at IUI. The attendees ranged from college students to freshman in high school. I was able to help them figure out if this is the right career for them and if they would like to attend this program. I was able to grow closer and communicate with those in the overall prospective dental hygiene community. After this event was completed, we received feedback from the attendants, which was overwhelmingly positive. They all had an enjoyable time at the school and believed that the experience benefitted them greatly. 

My Honors Projects are evidence that my work achieves the IUI Honors College goal of developing a connection to the Honors College and the Honors community. In Spring of 2023, I was able to work with my HER-E 105: Beginning Painting I Professor, Douglas Daniel to develop an Honors Project. We agreed that I would do an extra oil painting that I would present to the class. I decided to paint a realistic portrait of a plant at my apartment. I was inspired to create a realistic oil painting, as this was the first project we learned in HER-E 105. Overall, I was proud of how my painting turned out and have continued to paint since. This class gave me a creative outlet while also allowing me to communicate with other honors students in the class about their paintings too. Pictured below is the oil painting that was presented to my peers, along with the reference photo and other paintings I completed in class. 

In Fall of 2023, I began my journey at the IU School of Dentistry. This is not typical of an Honors College Student, so I had to work closely with my advisor to make sure that I was meeting all of the necessary requirements. Typically, a student selects their own classes and has freedom over the professor or time of the classes. At the School of Dentistry, my classes were mandatory, in-person 8am-5pm with specific professors. I had no freedom, except to select additional electives when I could fit them in. I met with Emily Clossin, my Honors Advisor, and determined which classes I could use for Honors Projects. We determined this by looking at a past students transcript, but also incorporating my unique electives that I still needed. That fall, I was able to work with the Dental Assisting Program Director, Michelle Priest, and create a project completely inspired by me. I used my need to help others and combined that with research of modifications for patients. I developed a brochure that could be handed out to geriatric patients, to make them more motivated to better their dental health. Included below are photos of one of the dental aids that I created and the brochure. Since the creation of this brochure, I have mostly done Honors Contracts for my courses at IU School of Dentistry. I have been able to incorporate my clinical experience into my honors work. However, this project taught me that if desired, I could have complete freedom to develop my own project experience. 

These past four years as an Honors College student have helped me to develop numerous skills that I will take with me into my personal and professional life. I have learned that giving back to my community is extremely important and gives me purpose. Once I graduate, I plan to volunteer at dental clinics at least once a month. I also enjoy getting to know my peers, which was made easy with my experience of the friendliness of the students in the Honors College. Overall, being an Honors College Student has expanded my life drastically and allowed me to discover passions and connections that I otherwise would not have had.