Before coming to the Plains, I lived in the exciting and growing city of Birmingham, AL all of my life. This is where my love for interacting with people began. I was raised by two wonderful parents whose love for reading and service did not fail to rub off on me. Their example built the foundation for my passion for books, learning, and serving others.

 

Throughout my high school years, learning about people became an interest and a huge part of my lifestyle. I spent time reading various  books and studies by renowned researchers as well as learning about up and coming research in the area of mental health. In high school, I was involved in groups that allowed me to volunteer to help students. By the end of high school I knew I had a passion for working with adolescents. By the time I was ready to head off to college, I was fully embarked on a journey to strengthen my knowledge and start pursuing my passions.

 

I came to Auburn in the fall of 2015 knowing after I earned my diploma I would attend graduate school in order to be a counselor for students. With my desire to help those struggling in mental health, I realized that my emerging abilities in empathy and relatability would be best served in pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family Studies which, in a nutshell, is the study of how people grow over the lifespan and factors that can contribute to that growth. I graduated from Auburn University in May 2015 obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Middle Childhood and Adolescence.

 

Through my experiences in the past few years, I have started developing the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful counselor. I am currently refining and adding to those skills through the School Counseling Master's program at Auburn; after which, I hope to serve in a secondary setting as a professional school counselor. This will allow me to serve and advocate for students through their academic, career, and social/emotional development. My greatest strengths are in relatability, connectedness, and working one-on-one with individuals. 

 

I invite you to explore this ePortfolio further and learn more about me, my experiences, interests, and the connections between my future goals and my current activities!