In my experience working with co-curricular student opportunities, I have come to appreciate the significant impact of getting students off campus and into their community, which yields substantial returns on investment both inside and outside the classroom.

A rich educational experience emerges from the integration of classroom and non-classroom settings, fostering a holistic sense of belonging through deliberate connections.

There are immersive and experiential opportunities available through study abroad and classroom-based programs, which provide incredible learning experiences. My work focuses on offering various voluntary opportunities for students to engage with the community and collaborative projects with peers from a different perspective. It's important to provide a low-stakes learning environment that fosters curiosity at no cost to students, removing barriers related to out-of-pocket expenses or time commitments associated with certain experiences.

My work is focused on the idea that when students feel a sense of belonging, they are more likely to seek the support they need to succeed in college. While most of my experience has been in student affairs and residential settings, I recognize that students are primarily concerned with choosing a major and career path when they start college. By fostering connections between students and faculty outside of the classroom and creating mentorship programs, we can provide students with more opportunities to pursue success.

Working in student success reveals that many institutional realities hinder the development of meaningful collaborations and partnerships across departments and divisions. My professional and educational work is focused on addressing these challenges related to department boundaries and partnership development. This work is crucial for bringing about meaningful change and meeting the increasing needs of higher education, particularly in terms of student, faculty, and staff experiences.