In what way(s) did you personally grow this year? How did you demonstrate or rebuild the resilience needed to move forward? How will you utilize resources and your support network to hold yourself accountable in continuing this growth?

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This school year was a complete year of growth for me. I came in a naive 17 year old ready to leave home and explore the world of public relations and communications and left a strong and spirited early childhood education major. Teaching was always something I had dreamed of pursuing but I was always too afraid to do so. Coming to the University of Cincinnati and being a part of programs like the University Honors Program as well as the Darwin T. Turner Scholars helped me to better believe in myself and my abilities to follow my dreams. 

I always knew that college was what I wanted to do once I left high school but I did not realize that it was something that I could do with the help of others. I always thought I was just supposed to walk in and get my work done without interacting with professors and classmates, however college is the complete opposite. In order to truly succeed in college you need relationships, mentorships, and so much more to help you to get even farther than you may think you need. It took me a while to open these doors and truly join clubs and organizations to interact with people, but once I did I realized that this is what I need to better myself for these next 4 years. 

An organization I joined throughout my first year here at the University of Cincinnati was the Pr1ze mentorship program. In this, students are put with a facility member in a subject/topic similar to what the student wants to pursue and their mentor is there for any kind of help that they may need. As a Black woman at this university I do not see many others that look like me in the classroom, so having a Black mentor was something that was super important to me. My mentor gave great advice and had great ideas that helped push me to continue to follow my dreams and I am forever grateful to have experienced this during my first year. 

So while I did not leave this school year how I came in, I am grateful for the woman and student that I became and am ready to take on the next school year with the knowledge I gained in this previous one. I will be sure to continue joining different clubs and organizations that not only better my experience, but others as well.