Why did you choose graduate school at IUPUI?
IUPUI has the best mix of location and the programs I wanted to study. On top of that, everyone I met at IUPUI before and during the application process was helpful, down-to-earth, and supportive of my goals.
What has been your favorite academic accomplishment since you’ve been here?
Last semester, my project partner and I finished an academic poster for the CEA Scholars Showcase. We shared it with our community partner, and they were so excited to learn that we had presented on the topic and put it together in a way that represented their priorities, not just our academic goals. It felt really good to do something meaningful to our community.
What do you enjoy most about life in Indianapolis?
many people who find ways to give back and take an interest in the community life of their neighborhoods, which gives me hope for the future of the city. I’ve even started joining my own neighborhood meetings, which is in large part due to these role models.
Please provide some details about your work/research as a graduate student and/or any activities you are involved in.
For the last year, I’ve been working with Dr. Sue Hyatt on a project related to increasing access to higher education for people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system, with assistance from the Community Engagement Associate scholars program and a partnership with PACE (Public Advocates in Community re-Entry) Indy. I’m also working on a project with Dr. Sean Grant researching the use of evidence-based practices in the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program. Last summer, I had the pleasure of interning with the IUPUI ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Center, which brings together interprofessional groups of health professionals to discuss lecture and case presentations. When I’m not doing that, I am usually with the folks from the MPH Student Association and Eta Sigma Gamma health education honor society, planning activities and service events.