I had the privilege of serving as a peer mentor for six wonderful young women over the course of two years. In this program, mentors were responsible for supporting first-year students as they navigated their transition to college, including adjusting to living away from home, managing the academic workload of their classes, and becoming involved in organizations across campus.

This experience challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and overcome the anxiety I initially felt when communicating with others. Through regular meetings and open conversations with my mentees, my confidence and communication skills grew tremendously. I also learned how to listen thoughtfully, offer advice, and adapt to meet each mentee's individual needs.

Serving as a mentor allowed me to be a positive role model both in the classroom and throughout campus. All six of the students I mentored were pursuing degrees in STEM fields, which gave us an immediate connection. Because I had already navigated many of the challenges they were experiencing, I was able to provide educated guidance and encouragement as they progressed through their first semester.

This role strengthened my leadership abilities by teaching me how to support others, build meaningful relationships, and guide individuals through new experiences. Through mentorship, I learned that effective leadership is not only about providing direction, but also about empowering others with the confidence and providing them with the resources they need to succeed.

I had the honor of representing my community as a participant in the 500 Festival Princess Program, an experience that greatly strengthened my leadership and public engagement skills. Through this program, princesses serve as ambassadors for the 500 Festival by participating in community events, visiting schools, and promoting values such as education, leadership, and service throughout the state of Indiana.

This experience challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and confidently engage with a wide variety of audiences. Whether speaking with students in classrooms, connecting with community members at events, or representing the program at public appearances, I developed stronger communication and public speaking skills. These opportunities allowed me to grow more confident in my ability to connect with others and represent something larger than myself.

Serving as a 500 Festival Princess also allowed me to be a positive role model for young students, encouraging them to pursue their goals and value education and community involvement. Through these interactions, the importance of using my voice to inspire and supporting others was made very clear to me.

This program strengthened my leadership abilities by teaching me how to represent my community with professionalism, engage meaningfully with diverse groups of people, and lead through service and example.

I had the opportunity to found and serve as the president of the A Kid Again Club at IU Indianapolis, an experience that significantly strengthened my leadership and organizational skills. As the founder, I was responsible for establishing the club’s mission, recruiting members, and coordinating activities that supported the organization’s goal of providing fun-filled events for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Starting a new organization required me to take initiative and accountability, communicate effectively with both students and university personnel, and guide members toward a shared purpose that care very deeply for. Through organizing meetings, planning service opportunities, and delegating responsibilities, I developed stronger skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making. These responsibilities challenged me to think strategically and ensure that our club remained engaged and aligned with the mission of A Kid Again.

Serving as president also allowed me to lead by example by demonstrating commitment to service and encouraging others to become involved in meaningful volunteer work. Watching members become passionate about supporting A Kid Again families was one of the most rewarding aspects of this experience.

Founding and leading this club strengthened my leadership abilities by teaching me how to build a team, inspire others to serve their community, and turn an idea into a meaningful initiative that positively impacts others.