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Embracing New Experiences
Embracing New Experiences
When I began my freshman year at IU Indianapolis, I thought I knew exactly how the next four years were going to go. Like most students, I had a whole list of goals I wanted to reach and accomplish before I graduated, with a final goal of graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, and becoming some type of healthcare provider. At the time, I thought the most important thing was to follow the path I developed in my mind. As a soon-to-be graduate, I can confidently say I am glad I did not follow my pre-planned path. With support from the Honors College, I have been able to explore many different opportunities that have developed and enhanced the path I am currently on. The Honors College pushed me to participate in a study abroad trip to Costa Rica, pursue mentoring and leadership opportunities, gain involvement in multiple student organizations, and seek service-learning opportunities where I can apply knowledge from my undergraduate coursework. Through these experiences, I have been able to develop skills that will enhance my ability to succeed in my Anesthesiologist Assistant Program.
Jagathon 2026 Morale Committee Member
Personal and Professional Growth
Personal and Professional Growth
When looking back on who I was in H200, it is evident how much growth I have experienced over the last four years. This course taught me to actively participate in my undergraduate experience, specifically, by seeking opportunities outside of my comfort zone, engaging and serving in nearby, distant, and international locations, pursuing leadership experiences, and strengthening my professionalism, problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and academic knowledge through research experiences. Along my journey in the Honors Program, I developed a strong sense of community, long-lasting connections, and my closest friendships.
My Showcase 1 Statements and Journey Maps highlight what I wanted my journey to be like in comparison to how my journey actually occurred. On a professional level, I developed strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills through my mentoring position in the Honors Peer Mentor Program, and my role as a mentor and team leader for the First-Year Seminar Program. In terms of personal development, being a mentor allowed me to learn from my students. They taught me the importance of building a welcoming, supportive, and communicative environment, how to be patient in tough situations, and how to be the kind of leader who prioritizes growth in all academic, professional, and personal settings.
On my journey map page, I included this quote from John Dewey: "Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another." I believe that there is no limit on how much goal-setting and growth is experienced in our lives. This was reflective of my undergraduate journey, and my future experiences, because once one goal is met I continue to set and reach more.
First-Year Seminar Mentor and Team Leader - Fall 2025
Another group photo from my Costa Rica Study Abroad Trip
One of the requirements I had as an honors student was to complete at least 10 volunteer hours a year. This requirement motivated me to seek long-term volunteer positions. Initially, I volunteered in The Riley Hospital for Children Emergency Department for 7 months. This experience taught me that volunteering is not only good for the community being served, but also the volunteer. As a volunteer, I learned the hospital dynamics, how to communicate effectively and professionally with patients and medical providers, and career opportunities I no longer wanted to pursue. I learned really quickly that I did not want to work in an emergency department due to the limited time spent with patients, which is why I ended up switching my volunteer position to the Ronald McDonald House. I have been a volunteer there for almost a year and a half, and I have furthered my ability to interact with patients and their families in an environment that is more aligned with my goals and values.
Ultimately, I grew in my passion for service, which led me to participate in the Honors College Service-Learning Study Abroad to Costa Rica. This trip allowed me to further fulfill the Honors College learning goals of participating in engaged learning through an international and cultural experience, and developing a long-lasting connection with my honors community. I made so many long-lasting friendships with other members of the Honors College through this trip.
Showcase Artifact 2 demonstrates the growth I experienced through this trip, but I would like to further emphasize how my perspective and commitment to service was significantly expanded. Before this trip, I had a limited understanding of global needs, ecotourism and sustainability, and Costa Rican culture. This trip shifted my perspective, allowing me to see firsthand the importance of academic and personal experiences outside of one's comfort zone. Through the course associated with the trip, I was able to reflect on my growth as a learner, allowing me to achieve another Honors College learning goal. Ultimately, I grew in my passion for service, while developing a passion for global service. I believe that when we limit ourselves to one location we limit our personal and professional growth. Because of this, I included a quote from Jo Andrews in my Showcase 2 Artifact: "It's a big world out there, it would be a shame not to experience it."
Campus Ambassador dinner to celebrate the end of the semester - Fall 2025
Showcase Artifact 3 includes a compilation of three experiences that have led to the development of my emerging expertise. However, there are many other opportunities, such as my experience in a professional work environment as a Campus Ambassador and Medical Receptionist, that also contributed to this expertise. In both of these roles, I furthered my abilities in professional communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and leading others. I learned that not every work environment is going to run perfectly, but being open-minded to changing and exploring other directions is vital to success in the professional world.
When reflecting on Showcase 3, these experiences were some of the most defining opportunities in my undergraduate journey. This showcase demonstrates how I was able to fulfill the Honors College learning goals of being an active participant in my intellectual experiences, engaging in research, and developing strong problem-solving and communication skills.
As an LHSI intern, I learned innovative and research techniques that related to my coursework, allowing me to actively participate in my education. I worked to develop strong problem-solving and communication skills as an intern, which have followed me into all opportunities. The Honors Contract I completed for my Systems Neuroscience class, once again, led to my enhanced understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. I was able to use this complex knowledge in real-world experiences; specifically, in my role as an intern, on a medical mission trip, in other courses, and in my current neuroscience capstone focused on Alzheimer's Disease research. As I mentioned above, local and global service is a passion of mine, which is why I participated in a medical mission trip to Honduras and a house build mission trip to the Dominican Republic. These opportunities, like many of the other ones I have mentioned, provided me with hands-on experience and shifted my perspective by providing me with enhanced awareness of global needs.
Prepared for the Future
Prepared for the Future
The Honors College has set me up for success as a future Anesthesiologist Assistant by providing resources and setting the foundation for the experiences I have described above. All of my involvement pushed me to learn how to manage my time, communicate professionally, and build connections. Along with these skills, I learned the importance of prioritizing time with friends and family to make sure I had a support system through this journey. As a freshman, I thought my life was defined by my academic success. However, I soon learned the problem with this fixed mindset and became more confident in who I am as a person outside of academic success. Knowing this as a graduating senior, I will already have a better perspective, and growth mindset, when starting my graduate program in the fall. The Honors College provided me with the ability, motivation, and attitude to be successful in my academic, professional, and personal endeavors. As Lou Holtz once said, "ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." Without these skills and values the Honors College set me up to develop, I would not have been accepted into my top choice Anesthesiologist Assistant Program through the IU School of Medicine. I am leaving IU Indianapolis a better and more prepared individual through the Honors College.
To this day, two of my closest friends are from my Honors Pre-Professional First-Year Seminar course that I completed freshman year
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