I graduated after three years during the pandemic. After graduation, I completed a year of AmeriCorps in NYC for ProBono Net, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving access to justice. During this, I was studying for the LSAT and applying to law school. I decided to attend law school at Notre Dame, and recently wrapped up my first year.
How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for law school?
The courses that I took at L&C consisted of heavy reading and writing. I strongly believe that the work I did here prepared me for my first year of law school, particularly because the professors gave such great feedback. Furthermore, having attended such a close-knit liberal arts college, I was able to develop my interpersonal skills. This was helpful in several areas of my life beyond work and grad school.
What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?
I met several people, including professors, at L&C that continue to be an influential part of my life. I would have missed these connections if I didn’t take the time to learn more about my opportunities on campus and step outside of my comfort zone. L&C is a special place: take advantage of it!
How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?
I am still close to people that I graduated with. I also played basketball while I was at L&C, so I stay in contact with old teammates and watch almost every season game online. Also, all of my law school recommendations were written by L&C professors, who I still keep in touch with.
Have you been to Alumni Weekend or other programming, like Homecoming, etc.? What did you enjoy about the event(s)?
I wanted to attend the L&C women’s basketball alumni event, but couldn’t make it because of scheduling issues!
Life at L&C
What’s your favorite class? How has it expanded your knowledge?
My favorite class so far has been Human Rights and International Politics with Heather Smith-Cannoy. At the end of the semester, we were asked to choose a human rights violation and find a solution to fix it. Accomplishing this definitely gave me a better understanding of how international affairs work and how it can be influenced into solving human rights crises.
Who is your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?
I met my mentors through the women’s basketball team. One of them is my teammate, Lauren Woods BA ’18, who graduated last year and is now attending law school. Since I want to do the same after graduation, I always look to her for advice on how she balanced both athletics and academics.
Another one of my mentors is my head coach, Kristina Williams. During my freshman year, I went through normal stages that freshmen usually go through, such as issues with adjusting and simply missing home. Coach K helped me through all of that. She’s always willing to listen and give advice.
What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?
I wanted to attend Lewis & Clark because of its size. Being able to walk around campus and see familiar faces was important to me. I liked the idea of being able to develop a connection with my professors while knowing the majority of my classmates. On top of that, the campus is beautiful!
Why do you choose to play basketball at a DIII school? How do you balance athletics and academics?
I chose to play basketball at a DIII school because I wanted to be able to focus on academics while playing competitive basketball. To me, playing at a DIII was important because I thought I would be able to pursue all of my academic interests and learn what it means to be a well-rounded student-athlete.
To balance all of this, you need good time management skills. I am constantly writing things down and working ahead because it can get really busy. Another thing that helps me is making to-do lists. I feel like that keeps me on track, especially on my busiest days where I have lifts, practice, and film sessions.
How did you decide on a major?
I wanted to find a major that not only interested me, but also would help me improve my reading and writing skills because I plan to attend law school after graduation. For that reason, I focused on taking a variety of courses in social sciences. I ended up liking Sociology and Anthropology classes the most, so I decided that was the best choice for me.
Where do you find community on campus?
I find my community not only with women’s basketball team, but also with the entire athletic organization. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer this year, I had so much support. Everyone—from the athletic trainers, Coach Ange (strength and conditioning coach), my teammates, coaches, and many more—constantly check-in with me and offer a helping hand. This experience showed me that I had a family here at Lewis & Clark away from my home.
