What inspires you to work in public service?
I'm inspired to work in public service to tangibly serve the communities and people I love. Furthermore, as a Catholic, it's my mission to spread my faith and engage in good works that help the less fortunate in our society.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
Major: Public Management, Leadership & Policy. Minor: Economics.
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
Introduction to the New Testament (HISTORY 2221) with Bert Harrill had a profound effect on shaping my policy-related interests because it was a challenging class that gave me the skills needed to understand complex historical policy issues and contextually justify claims around those issues. Furthermore, taking Public Policy Analysis (PUBAFRS 3000) with Victor St. John and Public Sector Data Science (PUBAFRS 4040) with Josh Hawley shaped my interests because they're both amazing professors whose expertise was crucial in how I frame policy issues and use data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, R, and Python) to find solutions. Finally, participating in the Ohio Government Internship Program (OGIP) was truly one of the biggest honors of my undergraduate career so far because it allowed me to work in Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office and experience what it's like to work within state government.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
My experience with student leadership positions on campus, including my service as a Senator for the John Glenn College in Ohio State's Undergraduate Student Government, has allowed me to take initiative in my involvements (e.g., organizing events) and be forthright with people who count on me to do the right things. As a Civil Discourse Fellow, I have strong conflict resolution skills and the ability to navigate complex policy debates through curiosity rather than set ideological perspectives. With my curiosity, I try to be thoughtful in how I approach conversations and ask questions whenever I don't understand something. As an administrative intern in Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office, I have learned to quickly adapt to administrative processes and manage confidential information. Through my experience at the Ohio Association of Nonprofit Organizations (OANO), I have exposure to non-profit operations and the pressures they experience. Finally, as a student steward at Traditions at Kennedy, I have experience working in a fast-paced environment to maintain sanitary conditions and uphold the highest standards of customer service. Overall, I bring a strong administrative and leadership background as a John Glenn Fellow.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
When I'm collaborating with others, I like to rely most on my honesty, patience, and attention to detail. I like to set expectations for success and create an inclusive team culture where everyone feels valued. I make sure everyone plays an equal role in meeting expectations and use my attention-to-detail skills to verify that they're completing their work in a timely manner. When expectations for success are not met, I try to analyze the causes and address them directly through an understanding and patient manner.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
My career goals include working as a program administrator for a state agency or as a lobbyist. Through this fellowship, I hope to connect with like-minded D.C. professionals who want to understand me and support me throughout my professional journey. Furthermore, I hope this experience pushes me outside of my comfort zone through an intense workload and networking opportunities in a way that will allow me to be fully utilized during this pivotal moment in our nation's history. Finally, I'm excited to work and learn from an excellent group of fellows whose professional backgrounds will shape how I approach future opportunities. Being a John Glenn Fellow will put me in the spotlight and I'm excited to see what it has to offer.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
My most impactful project was my work at Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office, where I vetted candidates for state-wide boards and commissions. Being able to vet these candidates and see the impact they've made for Ohioans in their commissions was truly transformative. Furthermore, it was satisfying knowing that my work was not going to waste and that I was being treated like a professional.