path & purpose
path & purpose
As an undergraduate at James Madison College (JMC) at Michigan State University, studying social policy and urban planning, I found an academic home that not only challenged me intellectually but also opened my eyes to the broad landscape of public policy issues that aligned with my passions. I began interning with the Center for Community & Economic Development and quickly fell in love with the work. That experience sparked my early pursuit of a career centered on housing and economic development.
At the time, I thought my passion was about housing policy. What I came to realize, however, was that it was about something deeper - I was thriving because of the sense of purpose I found in the work and the people who surrounded me. Two key lessons from that experience have continued to shape my path:
Focus my professional energy on easing the burdens of others. I began asking myself: Could I use my strengths in navigating complicated policies and systems to help vulnerable people during their most difficult moments?
Find work environments that foster creative problem-solving alongside people who refuse to settle. I want to align myself with organizations and people that have high standards and see the best version of what we, and our work, can be.
Finding My Place in Purposeful Work
I found that kind of environment again with City Year, where youthful energy and collaboration infused every part of the work. It was dynamic, energizing, and deeply rewarding. My time there taught me the power and fulfillment of investing in others through opportunity and education. That experience reconnected me with the students and staff at JMC and MSU. So, when a position opened at JMC, it felt like a natural next step.
Growing Within One Institution
Though my résumé shows a long tenure at MSU, each chapter has brought new roles, challenges, and opportunities for growth. I’ve held four distinct roles within the same college, each offering a new vantage point. Through that, I’ve come to understand the organization deeply and I carry that insight into everything I do. I’m better for it, and so is my work.
The Lesson That Lasts
I care deeply about our community at JMC, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my institutional knowledge to help guide us through complex moments. But that’s not what I’ll carry with me whenever my time at MSU comes to an end.
What I’ll remember most are the graduating seniors who stop by during their final days, not to thank me for override approvals or academic planning, but for believing in them when they were unsure, sharing a laugh in hard times, and making the transition into adulthood feel less lonely.
Through those goodbye conversations, I’ve come to understand something important: helping people navigate difficult experiences isn’t really about the navigating—it’s about how they’re treated along the way.
Nothing matters more than kindness, connection, and community.
In some small way, I hope this lesson continues to serve my students and the communities they will one day be part of. I want them to surround themselves with people who bring positivity into their lives and help them feel connected to the world, even when things are hard. And when they find themselves in a position to help others, I hope they remember the power of a kind word, a helping hand, or even a simple smile.
Guiding others through their journeys reminds me of my own, and I’m grateful that the lesson I once learned is now the one I get to teach.