Public Manifesto

Looking forward, the most important qualities I have developed while earning my liberal arts degree, improving in professionalism, and becoming more aware of and active in my place in the world around me include passion, open-mindedness, and philanthropy. I came to High Point University expecting that my capacity to create meaningful change and develop an impactful legacy on this campus and the High Point community would be limited. Who was I to be a highly involved student? Who was I to confidently promote and pursue ideas that require the support of the student body? With time, courage, and dedication, I was able to answer these questions as I began to finally understand the significance of a famous quote by Marianne Williamson from one of my favorite childhood movies, Akeelah and the Bee: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure... We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God... It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." When I let go of my fear of failure, I exchanged it for confidence in my own passions and open-mindedness to wholly pursue the leadership opportunities with which I was entrusted. In doing so, I became more engaged in my liberal arts education, more practiced in my potential as a professional, and more intentional about recognizing my place in the world around me; ultimately developing my authentic self. 

Attending classes where I normally would have only worried about earning an A, my focus shifted to prioritizing an equal balance between academic excellence and discussion-based learning opportunities. By engaging in my close knit High Point learning community (and the even-closer knit Honors Scholars Program community), I have grown in communication skills, respectful discussion and even adaptation of perspectives that were previously completely unfamiliar to me. Being removed from an echo-chamber-like high school setting has been priceless, and my time at HPU as an undergraduate student is largely responsible for my developed impartial mindset (or as HPU would put it: Growth Mindset). 

The most noticeable change I believe I've undergone during my years at HPU has been my professional development. This has not only provided me with numerous opportunities to exercise professionalism, but has also made the concept much less foreign by allowing me to pursue subjects I'm passionate about and make them my own (whether that take the form of advocacy, a leadership role, or a job/internship). Passion for my areas of focus bring me closer to them, so my professional settings are rid of imposter syndrome because they involve issues I care about, I'm comfortable with, and confident in. Sure, there are some times when professional settings still feel manufactured or unfamiliar, but having had the opportunity to hold professional leadership positions and work for offices that prioritize justice, advocacy, and equity (three subjects I enjoy pursuing in research and direct efforts) has helped me to find meaning and value in my role as a current and future professional. 

In addition to my role as a student and a professional, my role as a citizen within the greater High Point community (or even the nation) has become clear to me over time, primarily through community service and my political science studies. Though I engaged in community service through high school, college gave me the opportunity to be intentional about getting involved in giving back. My time as a member of the national co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, as well as service conducted through Student Government Association and through the university has connected me with the community both inside and outside of HPU's gates. In addition to these regular acts of service, having a major that focuses my attention on the social sciences and my place in the world around me has been a helpful guide in becoming a more intentional member of the collective, working towards a common good. This combination has led to my prioritization of philanthropy and encourages me to continue to meaningfully engage in whatever community I may find myself in the future.