Personal Statement

Having worked closely with under-resourced communities, I know that projects must be rooted in community values, needs, and assets--not in those that I personally impose. I believe that to bring positive and effective change, leaders should work to uplift and prioritize the goals and desires that a community drives and embraces. Part of my civic engagement includes volunteering and interning with the Happy Hearts Center in the New Washington Heights neighborhood and receiving and developing a grant project through Projects for Peace at the Poe Mill Achievement Center, in which I collaborated with various organizations and stakeholders and worked to honor community voices. Additionally, I believe facilitating constructive dialogue around uncomfortable topics is vital to innovative development, as having tough conversations that challenge certain beliefs is how new perspectives and understandings are developed, ultimately creating impactful change. My education and various opportunities through Furman have exposed me to realities that greatly differ from my own and I have walked away from these experiences with a more inclusive perspective and greater understanding of social issues, as well as an increased openness to continue challenging and developing any beliefs and values I may hold.