Majors: Anthropology and Spanish
Minor: Sustainability
Hometown: Cody, Wyoming 

What makes the College of Arts and Sciences at URI unique?
The College of Arts and Sciences is a strong community of dedicated students who are eager to learn. I have loved being an Anthropology major because I have had the privilege of getting to know all of my professors well as well as many other students in the major. This group of faculty and students and the study of cultural anthropology has been integral in my formation of a world view more broad, compassionate, and meaningful. In addition, it has helped me understand cultural differences and why people think and act the way they do.

What accomplishments and activities are you most proud of doing while at URI?As I look back at my four undergraduate years, I am proud to be able to call myself a founder of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, a member of the Lambda Alpha Anthropology Honors fraternity, a member of Engineers of a Sustainable World (an organization I joined before I switched my major to Anthropology), and a student graduating as part of the rigorous Honors Program at URI. My time as a Rotaract member has also been a valuable experience.

What research projects, internships, and/or study abroad programs did you participate in at URI? How did they enhance your education?
The time I spent in Cuba, Argentina, Spain, and Peru as a study abroad student has given me the ability to appreciate other cultures, learn a new language, and make life-long connections and friendships. While spending a semester in Argentina, I was fortunate enough to work with an amazing organization called EcoAndina in Jujuy, a town in the upper Northwest part of the country. Their mission to provide poor, indigenous people with a sustainable and effective way to heat water and cook food opened my eyes and mind. Interning for this organization truly enhanced my world view and helped me to better understand the trials many people face every day.

What do you value about your liberal arts education?
A liberal arts education means more than just a degree or a diploma. While I was an engineering major, I was tested on my math abilities and my knowledge of the periodic table, but it wasn’t until I changed my major to Anthropology that I truly got a global education. Through courses such as “Environmental Injustices,” “Anthropological Theory,” and “Latinxs in the US,” I learned how to think critically, write more intently, and see the world through a different, more meaningful lens.