I am a first-generation college student, first-born, and Filipino-American who is a Public Health Major and Diversity Minor at the University of Washington (UW). My family and friends make my life more fun and have helped me be who I am today. Laughing, smiling, reading for fun (when I have time), and listening to music are just a few activities that I enjoy doing. I have been privileged and grateful to have learned so much about myself and pursued various opportunities at this prestigious institution.

Throughout my time at UW, I have learned that my core values are a significant part in everything that I do. My five core values are:

1. Equity - Treating others equally no matter what the circumstance, and providing resources and services that are necessary for someone to have the same opportunity as another who is more privileged to attain a better life is a value that I believe so strongly about. I believe that thinking of the ones who are less privileged and helping them is such a powerful way to grow and be a better person.
2. Determination - Reflecting upon the experiences that I have had thus far, it would have been much easier to give up at times when it seemed so challenging to attend the University of Washington (my dream school) and do as well as I have. However, I always find a way to overcome those obstacles, stay motivated, and do the best that I can.
3. Loyalty - It is so important to be committed and finish what one starts because it shows how reliable and hardworking that person is. I think that being supportive and giving continued allegiance to anything makes someone understand complexities, motivations, and aspects that are necessary to work toward efficiency and effectiveness.
4. Mindfulness - Being reflective and aware of how I got to where I am today is significant in appreciating how much I have grown and can do as I continue to move forward in life. I feel that taking the time to be mindful of accomplishments and participating in new experiences is very beneficial in appreciating oneself and being more humble.
5. Achievement - Accomplishing goals, taking on new experiences, and finally feeling confident enough are all aspirations that I hope to truly achieve one day. When I do have moments of achievement, they become even more meaningful because of all of my family, friends, and mentors who have inspired me to excel and grow more into the person and leader that I hope to become one day. Also, achieving something that is in service of others and is a step toward societal improvement overall creates a feeling of satisfaction and content, in my opinion.

Additionally, the development of my unique leadership identities are reflective of my core values and key learning experiences that I have had the honor of participating in. As someone who is the first person in her immediate family to attend a university and graduate, it has been a challenging, yet rewarding experience. It was difficult, at first, for me to navigate the large institution and realize what I was truly passionate and interested in. However, by being an influential relationship enthusiast, I have built bonds with my academic advisers, intern/volunteering/capstone site supervisors, and professors who care about knowing students and their success. These personal relationships have helped me to feel included in the UW community, challenged me to grow by trying new feats, and supported me through my pursuit in higher education and potential career options. My supportive family bonds have also influenced my motivation in doing well in college and find a career that makes me happy and supports them. I am also a supportive academic mentor who enjoys sharing my knowledge from mistakes and past experiences, so they can learn from them and have a better sense of how to use that information to better themselves.Thus, being a Dream Project Mentor and a Public Health Dawg have been rewarding, fun, and fulfilling positions where I have enjoyed teaching others from my experiences/knowledge. Helping and teaching high school seniors to pursue higher education, especially if they do not think they can, and aiding college freshmen/sophomores in considering a major within a growing, impactful field in health is part of why I love being who I am as a helpful person. Being a health equity advocate has been shown through my service as a Child and Teen Services Intern at a non-profit organization called Parent Trust for Washington Children that believes in raising healthy, happy children by providing services to parents, especially for families who are disproportionately affected. Additionally, being a Public Health major who studies about health disparities, ethics, social justice and is learning how to put it in action as a Project Research Intern for capstone at SEIU Healthcare 1199NW have all influenced my identity as someone who wants to work toward equitable health for all and be a source of providing a voice to people who need to be heard. Furthermore, as a volunteer encourager, volunteering at UW Medical Center for a longer time than expected allowed me to see how every role matters and the significance of serving for the betterment of others.

I do what I do because my ultimate goals in life are (1) to support my family and make them proud, and (2) to make a positive impact on everyone that I meet and are affected by my actions. I have faced hardships, betrayal, discrimination, failure, rejection, and loss. Despite those negative aspects in my life, I overcame them with my drive and goal be a supportive, compassionate person to others. My loving and loyal family, friends, and mentors have also motivated me to work hard for my dreams to become a reality. Thus, building personal relationships and being a supporter/advocate for others influences my passions in serving others and creating a positive difference in many lives.

In regards to how I envision engaging in leadership in the future, I see myself participating in it everyday no matter what my title is or who I am with. Leadership is a growing process that should never end, and all effective leaders should remember that. I will continue to be the leader that I am for my younger siblings and my mom, but also keep growing in being more confident and versatile with my leadership competencies as I gain more experiences. Furthermore, I want to use my leadership skills in my community as a competent, effective public health professional who works toward health equity and decreasing health disparities at local and state levels through healthcare administration, education, promotion, and/or policy.

*Note: All of the images are property of Danafe D. Matusalem unless cited otherwise