What department are you a graduate student in?

Political Science. I study public policy and state politics.

Why did you decide to go to graduate school?

As an undergraduate student, I became passionate about investigating and discussing complex issues. This inspired me to pursue a career as a professor. Throughout graduate school I have been able to study topics that interest me and engage in important conversations about those same topics in the classroom.

Did your interests change throughout your program?

Absolutely! As I took more classes and worked with various mentors, I found new areas of interest. Now, I am working on several projects with faculty and independently that allow me to explore policy, state politics, and interdisciplinary work.

What do you want to do with your advanced degree?

I plan on applying for academic jobs as I would like to continue to research and teach. I am passionate about searching for solutions to puzzles in political science, and inspire others to do the same through my teaching.