Where do you call “home” or your “hometown?” 

Home to me is Snohomish, Washington.

What do you study/what is your area of interest? And why did you choose this area?

I currently double major in English and Sociology! I'm interested in the role that various forms of media, such as literature, social media, and digital tools, play as both products and producers of both society and culture. These two areas of study allow me to explore this interdisciplinary concept from a variety of different frameworks and perspectives to come to the most complete understanding possible!

Do you have a faculty mentor? If so, whom? 

Yes! I have had the privilege of working under a number of different faculty mentors for a variety of projects including Dr. Jasmine Mahmoud, Dr. Habiba Ibrahim, Dr. Stephanie Clare, and others.

Have you studied abroad? If so, where? Tell us a little about this experience. If you have not studied abroad, where would you love to study abroad if you got to choose? 

I was able to study abroad through the Interdisciplinary Honors Program the summer between my freshman and sophomore years! My program was located in Copenhagen, Denmark and explored themes of colonialism, public art, and activism. Much of our coursework consisted of attending numerous art galleries and museums around the city, historical walking tours, guest lectures with a variety of Danish professors and professionals, and featured a significant emphasis on reflection as a tool for engaging with different cultures and perspectives of the world. There is something so indescribable about being in the physical spaces where the history that you are learning about actually took place. Diving into the various artistic representations of such historical moments also served to immerse the class in the content both in and across time. For my final project I was able to design and create a beaded embroidery that hangs on my wall today to always serve as a reminder of this experience. Studying abroad was definitely one of the best things I have had the chance to do in college!

Where is your favorite place to study on-campus? 

If I need to get work done, I love finding a quiet desk in Allen Library overlooking the HUB lawn. The lighting is always just perfect! If I'm hosting a social study session, I'm a big fan of the HUB. There are so many secret spots around the building to fit any vibe you're looking for. It also doesn't hurt that it offers access to all the study snacks one could want!

What is one of the many humanities courses you recommend taking?  

My absolute favorite humanities course I've taken was HUM 498, the Summer Institute for the Arts and Humanities! SIAH is an intensive research program and was the most rigorous academic experience of my undergraduate career. In a cohort of less than 25 students and with the support of three professors and a graduate student across various disciplines in the humanities, I was pushed to think in ways I never previously had and engage our topic through all of my senses. I grew, both as a student and an individual, more than I thought possible that summer. This was my first foray into research and it laid the groundwork for a number of other opportunities I have been lucky enough to engage in since, including presenting my work at the 2023 American Society for Theatre Research national conference! It also helped to shape my intention to eventually pursue a doctoral degree. If you are interested in expanding your horizons, I cannot recommend this program enough!

What has been an unforgettable experience during your time at UW thus far? 

One unforgettable experience I've had at UW is being a campus tour guide! I have found such strong community and friendships through this job with other outgoing students who love to perform, connect, and share their husky experiences. Through this, I've had the opportunity to represent UW at a number of events including Admitted Students' Day, national college fairs, alumni association events, and more.

How have you used the Humanities Academic Services advising office while on your journey?  

The HAS (Humanities Academic Services) has been an incredible place of support for me throughout college. Whether I needed help choosing which class to take in the upcoming quarter, more holistic degree planning, information about how to take my learning outside of the classroom, or support in applications for graduate degree programs, the advising team has always been there for me. Particularly my adviser, Rachel Zuraek. The length and depth of our email threads are a testament to how much they and their team want to see students succeed!

What advice would you give a new student in the humanities? 

To new students in the humanities, I would say that the work you are doing matters! UW is a school with a strong emphasis on some of our STEM fields, and it can be easy to feel a bit lost in that environment. No matter your discipline, be it linguistics, theatre, fine arts, cultural studies, or literature, you are doing indispensable work and learning vital skills to connect us to one another as people and root our world in that social experience. This connection is the basis of all industries and fields, no matter what you choose to pursue. The education you obtain through studying the humanities is crucial to continue to understand one another and create the world in which we want to live. Thank you for the work you are doing, it is so, so important.