Before the University of Lynchburg

Sweet Briar College, Class of 2018, Bachelor of Arts with Honors in History and Psychology.

In 2014, I made the decision to begin my collegiate career at a small all-women's college in Sweet Briar, Virginia. Little did I know, the large swooping greenery and empowered environment would soon become a large part of my identity.

​

In 2015, the college announced that it would close its doors at the end of the academic year. Crushed, I found myself finding little purpose and struggling to maintain academics, athletics, and student leadership. Eventually, I isolated myself from it all. Without the support of the Chaplain, fierce alumnae, outraged professors and staff, and the local community - I would have felt entirely alone. It was in that moment that I decided that whatever I did with my future, I wanted to help others.

​

The alumnae banded together, raising over 12 million dollars and reclaiming the keys to the college. The people who almost ruined my education left campus and were replaced with incredible members of the community who deeply cared about each student. I will never be able to thank President Phil Stone for all he did for Sweet Briar during his tenure, as well as the Sweet Briar women (and male supporters) who helped me get to where I am today.

​

Upon the saving of the college, I continued my program, nearly uninterrupted. I was to be an Education student with a desire to teach middle or high school History. I began doing my experience in the classroom and found myself yearning for something different. I added a Psychology major after taking a course with who would quickly become the most influential professor, mentor, and shoulder to lean on during Statistics or when learning about the neuron, Dr. Tim Loboschefski (Lobo, for short). I was impressed by the program and wanted to learn more.

​

I decided that I wanted to attend law school to work for the Innocence Project, a non-profit I found after watching Making a Murderer. I was outraged by the misconduct within the cases and wanted desperately to be a part of the team that would release Brendan Dassey from prison. I began writing my honors thesis on the topic of wrongful convictions in the United States, trying to figure out why it is that we incarcerate innocent people and what could be done to support and educate people who are at risk.

​

After completing an internship for Virginia Cooperative Extension within the Campbell County 4-H Leadership Development branch, I realized that I am not hardwired to complete briefs and defend in court. I wanted to be with people, and help them find their way within their own personal journies.  After a lot of reflection, I recognized that this meant that I would not be applying to law schools, but would be looking into Counseling programs. I found a home at the University of Lynchburg, and graduated alongside nearly 80 other women who took a chance on a place too beautiful to lose.

​

Within this page, you can find some examples of work I competed as an undergraduate at Sweet Briar College. Some information may be redacted to protect client confidentiality and personal information.