Why did you choose to come to Iowa? 

I grew up a Hawkeye. I was always coming with my parents to football games, basketball games, wrestling, all the sports. So, when it came time to choose a school, there was nowhere else I wanted to go.

When it came to dental school, I applied to one school and one school only. I put all my eggs in one basket. There was just nowhere else I wanted to go. I love Iowa City. I also really love the early clinical experience that you get through the Iowa College of Dentistry. That’s something you don't get everywhere else. Those unique aspects made it an easy decision.

What was your most memorable experience or your best memory? 

When the Penn State football team came to town my freshman year. Iowa City was just electric that day. I'll never forget when we scored that go-ahead touchdown. The joy that was shared with 70,000 other people in Kinnick Stadium was just incredible. And I really believe I took one step closer to becoming deaf that day because it was so loud in there.

What provided you with the greatest sense of belonging while at the University of Iowa?

The community of people that I have built, whether it was my first year in the residence halls, the people on my floor that I met and who became my close friends, or partaking in clubs and activities. Finding people that share your career path and goals and aspirations, it’s really been helpful to have those people around me as I go on my journey.

What did you get out of your Iowa experience that you don’t feel you would have gotten elsewhere?

I think it comes down to community. The “Iowa Nice” thing is real. Being part of such a close-knit community that has so much pride wearing the black and gold and has such pride in the state, I just don't think you would get that somewhere else.

Also, the Lifetime Leisure Skills classes have been a great way to try out new things. Through winter camping, I spent the night outdoors in a little hut that we built out of sticks in 10-degree weather and snow. I’m also trying mountain biking. It’s just a really cool way to be able to take your mind off classwork and school and meet new people and have a good time through the university.

What is one of the most valuable things you learned?

Time management. That is something that has been huge for me. You know, Mom and Dad were not walking me through every day of college the same way they were in high school. Learning how to manage my time, how to be independent, how to do things on my own, and to be on top of my own things has been huge.

Who was your most important mentor here, and what role did they play in your experience?

I took a professional prep course with Lee Eilers, and he had a ton of real-world experience to share about taking that next step into the professional world, practicing interview questions, developing a résumé, and more. He helped me prepare for what’s next after graduation. But on top of that, I really grew as a person through talking with him, meeting with him, and learning from him.

What advice do you have for future Hawkeyes?

Say yes to things. Take on new opportunities. Broaden your horizons with new experiences. That was something coming in that I did not do right away. It was something that I kind of had to push myself to do. But looking back, I'm so glad I did that because my experience has been so much richer, and I have so many more memories because of it. 

Is there anyone you’d like to thank? 

Thank you to both my parents for being just a phone call away whenever I needed them, whether it was to help me get through a difficult exam or just talk me off the ledge when I was super stressed out. Thank you both for always being there for me.