Majors: Anthropology, Political Science, and Theatre
Hometown: Cumberland, RI

What makes the College of Arts and Sciences at URI unique?
For me, as a theatre major, it’s the flexibility of the curriculums. Despite pursuing a BFA in theatre (which requires over 70 credits within the major to graduate), I was able to complete two other majors as well, and I finished it all in four years! The College of Arts and Sciences allowed me to tailor my academic experience to my interests and goals, and I’m very prepared for life after graduation because of it.

What accomplishments and/or activities are you most proud of while at URI?
I’m really proud of all of the theatre productions I’ve contributed to! Being a writing tutor for five semesters was a fantastic experience as well. Helping other students with their writing is some of the most important work I’ve done at URI. 

What, if any, research projects, internships, and/or study abroad programs did you participate in at URI? How did they enhance your education? 
I think the closest thing I’ve had to this is my TEDx Talk. In my sophomore year, I gave a TEDx Talk here at URI about a topic that I’m invested in: the prospects of arts majors. URI offered me a platform to challenge the idea that arts majors have poor outcomes after graduation. (Watch Erik’s Tedx Talk about “The Myth of the Starving Artist” here!)

What do you value about your liberal arts education? 
I’m really grateful for all the skills my liberal arts education has given me, like writing, public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork. But I’m even more grateful for how it has developed me as a person. My liberal arts education has taught me things like empathy, compassion, resilience, and ethics. Not every type of education emphasizes these things, but they are critical.

What’s next for you?
I plan on pursuing a PhD in Anthropology. I hope to study the intersection between climate change and culture. My goal is to combine research and advocacy to help find and implement solutions to climate change.