What inspires you to work in public service?
I am inspired to work in public service of the internal drive I feel to help others and improve the lives of people in communities around me. Whether through policy, advocacy, or direct services, I want to help create and improve systems that are fair and responsive to people's needs. Public service allows me to build and execute solutions that have real and lasting impacts.
What is your major, and do you have any minors or specializations?
Majors: Linguistics/Russian/Public Management, Leadership, and Policy
What coursework or academic experiences have most shaped your interests in policy, leadership or public service?
My interests in public service have been shaped by my academic background in linguistics. In linguistics, we study how language use is impacted by policies and ideologies of dominant groups in society. Marginalized and colonized communities almost always have their language stigmatized and even repressed, resulting in loss of opportunities and cultural knowledge. Linguistics as a field has a strong focus on trying to reverse or slow these processes and support marginalized communities in reclaiming their language and culture. Studying these dynamics has given me an understanding of how structural and cultural forces at large can harm communities, and I have also learned perspectives of how to start supporting these communities. I have learned the importance of engaging directly with communities and understanding their lived experiences when crafting solutions. I hope to use this background to support vulnerable communities in equitable and grounded ways.
What specific skills or experiences do you bring to your internship?
I bring research skills and interpersonal skills to any role. Through my work as a Research Assistant in linguistics and public affairs, I have developed skills in both experimental methods and more database driven work. In both of these positions I have also strengthened my analytical skills and written communication skills. My role as a Resident Advisor and intern at a community-facing nonprofit (CRIS) have developed my leadership, relation-building, and cross-cultural communication skills. I have also developed organizational and time management skills, juggling the many scattered responsibilities of being an RA with my other academic and extracurricular commitments. In my internship this summer, I hope to contribute analytical rigor and a collaborative approach.
What strengths do you most rely on when collaborating with others?
I rely most on my empathy when collaborating with others. In teamwork settings, I make conscious efforts to understand everyone's perspectives and ensure everyone feels heard. This enables me to communicate more effectively and contribute to a collaborative team environment.
What are your career goals and how do you hope this fellowship will support your professional journey?
My goals are to work either in nonprofit administration or in policy research. I hope this fellowship will give me the experience I need to further define my career goals to a specific sector, to develop critical professional skills for career success, and to make connections in the center of the American policy world; Washington DC.
What is your favorite or most impactful project from a previous role?
My internship at Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) in Fall of 2025 gave me incredibly impactful experiences. Most impactful of all was being able to help with developing food assistance programs when SNAP benefits were paused or entirely cut off for most of CRIS's clients. Seeing how nonprofits adapt and work to meet emerging needs within their communities was incredibly insightful and interesting from a professional perspective. But more than anything, it was immensely fulfilling contributing to meeting community needs and providing essential resources for a vulnerable population like immigrants and refugees.