| Personal Statement |
For many of us, communicating is second nature. It is a lens of self-expression or a means to inquire and probe the greater world around us.
Communication has always been at the forefront of my mind; not just as a means of expressiveness, but as a window through which I witnessed the struggles and triumphs of individuals close to my heart. Growing up, I saw my younger brother wrestle with a language disorder that made his everyday interactions frustrating and isolating. This past year, I witnessed my grandfather, who I greatly admire for his humor and positive outlook on life, lose and then regain his voice after a series of debilitating strokes.
For a time, it wasn’t just their speech impacted, it was a deeper loss of humor and confidence that most defined the journey. Working with therapists in the pursuit of their voice was transformative, and inspired me to lead my own empowered life. Those experiences became a turning point, not just in how I viewed communication, but in how I viewed myself and the life I wanted to lead. They laid the foundation for the person I would become at Lafayette.
My time at Lafayette has not been characterized by perfection, but rather pursuit. A yearning for growth, capitalizing on every opportunity possible, and reflecting enough to acknowledge the weight of my time here. The shy, timid girl who had no confidence in raising her hand in class and truthfully had never really practiced using the word “no” is someone I no longer recognize within myself. I am opinionated. I am bold and expressive. Most importantly, I am confident in my voice and my ability to advocate for what I believe in. Each position and organization I’ve joined has shown me the value an individual can have when working towards something bigger than themself. It is because of my time at Lafayette that I have gained this insight, and I can only hope to carry it with me into every new space moving forward, lifting others along the way as well. |
| Other Information |
| While I do not have an official minor, I have been working to prepare myself for graduate school in Speech Language Pathology. Over the past two years, I have been dual-enrolling at other institutions to self-design a prerequisite program in Communication Disorders, totaling seven unique courses. I currently am a student at three additional universities as well as a research assistant at a fourth, while maintaining my commitment to involvement and academics on campus at Lafayette. I learned the importance of self-advocacy and deliberate planning to navigate unfamiliar territory, ensuring I stayed along the right path toward my graduate school goals and further deepening my appreciation for the field. My academic journey in neuroscience at Lafayette College has uniquely prepared me to understand the connectedness between intricate neural mechanisms, cognition, and language. I’ve been allowed a great deal of freedom to design a program of studies to match my personal interests, which has allowed me to develop a deep appreciation for the scientific foundation of speech and language processes. |
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| Academic Activity / Award |
Total years participated |
Briefly describe your involvement |
| Research Assistant – Parents Plus Language Coach Program |
1 year |
This past year I have worked with the Parents Plus Language Coach Program as an employed research assistant. Parents Plus is a federally-funded Institute of Education Sciences grant study out of Lehigh University. The program is a parent-implemented telehealth intervention to teach parents how to promote the language development of their preschool children with language delays, connecting families with accessible services in underserved areas. I conduct home visits for pre-, post-, and follow-up data collection, implementing standardized measures and play-based practices to elicit language samples. By doing so, I have had the joy of working with families all across the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas, building rapport and connections with the children in the program. Additionally, I collaborate with the research team to coordinate visits and maintain compliance with study protocols and ethical standards. |
| Chi Alpha Sigma Honors Society |
1 year |
I am a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honors Society, a non profit organization established to recognize four-year college student-athletes who excel academically and athletically. |
| Marquis Award Recipient |
4 years |
I earned a merit scholarship to attend Lafayette College with my acceptance and have maintained the necessary requirements to renew it every year. |
| Dean’s List |
4 years |
I have maintained at least a 3.6 GPA in Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Fall 2024 semesters. |
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| Campus Service Activity/Award |
Total years participated |
Briefly describe your involvement |
| Pards Against Sexual Assault |
4 years |
I am proud to have been a member of Pards Against Sexual Assault (PASA) since my first year at Lafayette as a part of the programming committee. As a programming committee member, I attended weekly meetings to help brainstorm, plan, and execute programming initiatives aiming to increase dialogue and advocacy for issues surrounding campus sexual assault. We have worked to bring various keynote speakers to campus, powerfully delivering messages about survivorship and what it means to be an ally in this community. We have worked to hold an annual 5k, educational tabling, and open discussions for the campus as a whole. This year as a senior, I took on the role of Co-President. As Co-President, I oversee weekly executive board meetings, bi-weekly general body meetings, and attend bi-weekly advisor meetings. We made it our goal to become more prominent on campus once again, encouraging the community with support that is so important but often hard to attain when dealing with these issues. We have worked to cosponsor and partner with other campus organizations to reach greater audiences with messaging and programming. This fall we held an interactive “Chalk Back” workshop, to empower students to take back their story and denormalize sexual assault and harassment. It was empowering and moving, and I was proud to help bring this message to campus. I am most excited for the upcoming Sexual Assault Awareness Month, where we have planned a “Walk in Her Shoes” event with Phi Sigma Chi Multicultural Fraternity, Pot Painting, and resource tabling on Denim Day to open conversation about this historic day of action and month-long fundraising efforts for the Crime Victims Council. We are culminating the month with a keynote event, focusing on intersectionality in the realm of survivorship, a space where there is always more work to be done. A goal has been to engage more student groups in events to spread the mission through cosponsorship and availability. In this way, we have been able to spread our message as far as possible and shine a light on the nuanced world of sexual assault prevention and education. |
| President’s Advisory Council |
2 years |
I was honored to be nominated to serve on the President’s Advisory Council (PAC) during its inaugural year in the Spring of 2024. The PAC is made up of a group of students as well as President Nicole Hurd and members of her staff. I attend monthly meetings to discuss campus culture and climate, current events in our community, and offer input in strategic planning. |
| Resident Advisor |
1 year |
I am grateful to have worked as a Resident Advisor during the 2023-2024 academic year. As an RA, I facilitated a healthy living environment, mediated conflict, and aided residents in their daily needs and personal endeavors. One of my greatest goals was to develop a true sense of community and make the living environment a place where residents felt comfortable and wanted to spend time. I planned and executed programming events focusing on intellectual pursuits, community building, life skills, and culture & the arts. Through upwards of 20 official programs over the academic year and many other impromptu events, I helped develop the community in our residence hall. Weekly movie nights, canvas painting events, discussions and materials during various “awareness months”, and volunteer opportunities helped bring our hall together. I also managed a yearly budget to plan these programs effectively. |
| Residence Life – All Staff Community Builder of the Year |
1 year |
As a Resident Advisor, I was awarded the All Staff – Community Builder of the Year award. This award was given to one first-year and one upper-level RA to celebrate their commitment and dedication to building a sense of community in the residence hall and supporting their residents. |
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| Community Service |
Total years participated |
Briefly describe your involvement |
| Warren Arc Special Olympics Coach |
4 years |
Throughout the past four years, I have volunteered as a coach for the Warren Arc Special Olympics team. The Arc of Warren County “helps people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities … and creates the kind of universal environment where the people are accepted and respected in the community.” As a coach, I plan and lead individualized swim training sessions for athletes of diverse abilities. The practices focus on skill development, safety, building confidence, and most importantly, cultivating a fun and supportive environment for all participants. It is a wonderful opportunity to promote team-building and involvement for all involved. |
| Miracle League Lehigh Valley |
3 years |
In my time in college, as well as in high school, I have volunteered as a “buddy” for the Miracle League. The Miracle League provides children and young adults with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. I support their vision of creating an environment where everyone is “welcomed, accepted, and loved.” As a “buddy”, I assist players on the field, offering encouragement and assistance to help contribute to creating an inclusive and fun environment for all participants. |
| Cheston Elementary After School Program |
1 year |
I am excited to be volunteering weekly at the Cheston Elementary After School Program. Along with a group of volunteers, we promote an exciting and enriching after school experience for the students. I help facilitate organized activities and games for the children. |
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| Athletic Activity/Award |
Total years participated |
Briefly describe your involvement |
| Varsity Swimming and Diving |
4 years |
I have competed as a member of the Varsity Swimming and Diving team here at Lafayette for all four years. Our season runs from the first day of classes until mid-February, averaging between 15 and 20 hours of commitments a week. The team has significantly shaped me into who I am today, creating a positive environment where I could grow and develop. I am committed to the training and maintaining discipline and focus when appropriate, but also to fostering a positive, uplifting environment that makes swimming something everyone looks forward to and feels supported at. As a senior, I was honored to be chosen as a team captain, serving as a liaison between the coaching staff and my teammates, addressing concerns, and providing support during training and competition. I’ve helped plan team bonding events, such as dinners, and movie nights, and organize opportunities to become involved outside the athletics realm. I seek to provide encouragement and support for my teammates, helping with mental and physical recovery, and fostering a healthy team culture through unity and resilience. |
| OAKS Leadership Academy |
3 years |
At the end of my first year, I was nominated and accepted into the OAKS Leadership Academy. The academy aims to “develop, challenge, and support Lafayette student-athletes and coaches in their quest to become effective leaders in academics, athletics and life.” During my sophomore and junior years, I attended monthly leadership seminars and workshops to learn and expand my leadership practices, actively engaging in peer mentoring and coaching sessions to bring valuable insights back to my team and other organizations. I used what I learned to facilitate communication between the academy and my team, promoting leadership principles in academics, athletics, and life. I supported my teammates by sharing resources and strategies learned through sessions. While I still attend sessions as a senior, I have also taken on the role of Senior Fellow. There are two OAKS Senior Fellows, and we additionally attend underclassman learning sessions to help facilitate discussions, provide guidance, and support their academic and athletic development. I now serve as a resource, offering mentorship and promoting a supportive environment for student-athletes navigating their collegiate journey. I worked with the OAKS leadership team and the athletic department to launch and co-host a podcast highlighting the student-athlete experience, sharing stories and insights to foster connection and community. |
| Coach William Lawson Memorial Sportsmanship Award |
1 year |
This award is given annually to one athlete from Lafayette College who best exemplifies the values of late Coach William Lawson. This award is given in acknowledgement for exhibiting the personal qualities of leadership, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to the advancement of the swimming & diving programs at Lafayette College. |
| Team Spirit Award |
2 years |
I was proud to be awarded the Lafayette College Swim and Dive teams’ “Team Spirit Award” in both 2022 and 2023. “This award is about being there for the team, putting a smile on everyone’s face, being a role model, working hard everyday and taking whatever comes at you in stride. It’s about seeing an opportunity rather than only seeing a hurdle to overcome or one more thing that is getting in the way.” |
| Legacy Emerging Leader Award |
1 year |
The Lafayette Swim and Dive team has a tradition of passing down an embroidered parka each year to a first year student who exhibits a promise of leadership. Passed down through generations, this symbolic award embodies the enduring spirit of initiative and community stewardship. It serves as a tangible reminder of the recipient’s commitment to cultivating a sense of camaraderie and developing leadership capabilities. |
| T. Gordon Yates, Most Improved Award |
1 year |
I received the T. Gordon Yates award in 2023 which acknowledges the most improved swimmer or diver of the season. |
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| Special Interest Activity/Award |
Total years participated |
Briefly describe your involvement |
| Delta Gamma |
3 years |
I have been a member of Delta Gamma for the past three years, most recently serving as the Vice President and overseeing social standards. In this role, I oversaw accountability and education within our organization. I was the presiding officer of the DEI committee, which was committed to creating an inclusive environment where all members feel seen, valued, and empowered. I helped develop and promote educational initiatives that foster understanding and growth in DEI topics, such as facets that make up our own unique identity, while acknowledging the structural inadequacies and biases inherently present in Greek Life. Additionally, I served in a member support manner, chairing the judicial board to aid members, maintain accountability, and conduct check-ins. As a board, we met weekly to discuss current events and climate within the chapter. We sought to facilitate open dialogue to address concerns and met with members for both random and purposeful check-in meetings. Another area of my role was providing academic and personal support through study plans and resource referrals. I maintained a running database of campus, local, and national resources to refer members to, creating and outlining action plans to move forward. I am trained in confidentiality, peer mediation, and mental health practices to address sensitive issues effectively. Finally, during my time in Delta Gamma, I have also served on the Foundation Committee, aiding the chapter in organizing and tracking community service opportunities. |
| Dual Enrollment Student |
2 years |
For the past two years, I have been a dual enrollment student at DeSales University, Moravian University, and Arizona State University (online). I have commuted between 2-5 days a week to these schools to attend classes in prerequisite courses for Speech Language Pathology. While remaining active on campus at Lafayette, this significant commitment has refined my time-management skills and critical planning abilities to make sure I properly balance my Lafayette degree, extracurricular activities, and future planning. |
| Community Swim Coach/Lesson Instructor |
7 years |
For the past several years I have been employed at my local community pool as a swim instructor. I have had the absolute joy of working with the families in my area in this meaningful way. At the pool, I am responsible for planning and leading swim practices that are both fun and productive, while tailoring them to all different swim levels. Our pool provides lessons starting at three years old and offers coaching until children are 18. I’ve specialized in working with children with additional behavioral and medical needs, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. For many of these kids, it’s the first time they’ve had the opportunity to be a part of a team and feel that unconditional love and encouragement that I so value. I’ve spent many years improving my communication to interact effectively with the children, ensuring understanding and engagement during practices and lessons. |
| Extern – St. Lukes Neurology Rehabilitation Center |
1 year |
This December I completed an externship at the St. Lukes Neurology Rehab Center in Bethlehem, PA. I shadowed a Speech Language Pathologist to get a sense of her daily responsibilities and tasks. During my time, I observed individual therapy sessions for patients with various voicing, articulation, language, and cognitive goals. I interacted with patients when appropriate and solidified my desire to enter the field. |
| Extern – The St. Elizabeth School |
1 year |
This December I completed an externship at the St. Elizabeth School in Baltimore, MD. I shadowed a Speech Language Pathologist in a school for children with diverse abilities to get a sense of this side of the field. I observed classroom pull-out and push-in support sessions with elementary and middle school children. I interacted with the students and participated in the sessions when appropriate. |
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