I was born in Montana — close to Glacier National Park. My family moved to Vermont for two years for my dad to complete his fellowship for medical school. Once my dad finished, he found his first position as a doctor back in Billings, Montana. My parents would soon get divorced when I was 11, and this resulted in my moving to Arizona with my mom. I lived with my mom throughout the school year and spent vacations with my dad in Montana. I felt like I had the best of both worlds — Arizona winters and Montana summers.

Apart from coming from a broken family, I had a happy childhood. I was an independent, stubborn child, but I know that was due to having to grow up quickly as a child of divorce. I had great friends growing up, but nothing compared to my siblings. My siblings and I were very close, and they are my lifeline to this day. I have two older sisters and one older brother. They helped raise me in many ways, and therefore, we have all grown very close to one another.

Growing up, I tried every sport. Softball ended up being the one I liked most, and I stuck with it. I played softball from elementary until high school. I loved playing the sport, and it was an amazing bonding opportunity for both my dad and me. He would try to come to every game, and we would always get ice cream afterward.

Entering high school, I decided I no longer wanted to play sports, but I wanted to be around them as a student athletic trainer. By my senior year, I accumulated over 2,000 service-learning hours. I loved attending every athletic event. It taught me a handful of invaluable life lessons, such as accountability and learning from failure.

As high school ended, I struggled with what I wanted to do moving forward. My parents and siblings excelled in higher education, and I felt like I had big shoes to fill. Looking at colleges, I was not sure what I wanted to study, but I knew I wanted to leave Arizona. I heard good things about Utah Valley University (UVU) from some friends attending school at UVU, so I decided to go there. I started as a part-time student and worked until I gained residency. My plan was to transfer when I gained residency, but when the time came, I felt drawn to stay at UVU and began to get involved.

I first began getting involved with the peer mentor program at UVU. It was fundamental in helping me view UVU as home. I met great peers and mentors in the program, and it acted as the door that opened so many other doors for me. It was the confidence boost I needed to chase the college experience I wanted for myself. From that opportunity, I was able to be the UVU Mentor Program liaison on UVUSA. Though difficult, it was great to be a part of two programs at the same time. Following my time in that role, I assumed the position of chief justice on UVUSA.

In my role as chief justice, I was introduced to the opportunity to intern for the Utah System of Higher Education, a full-time position where the intern works on Capitol Hill during the legislative session. I applied and got the position — making me the first UVU student ever to receive the opportunity. In prior years, the majority of interns came from the University of Utah, so it was exciting to pave the way for UVU.

I loved the opportunity and took online classes to be able to be up at the state capitol during the semester. The COVID-19 pandemic hit during the session I served as an intern, so I was able to be involved with the press conferences and meetings about higher education’s plans to navigate the outbreak.

While interning at Capitol Hill, I met and worked with individuals from the Board of Higher Education, formerly known as the Utah State Board of Regents. The Board of Higher Education consists of 18 Utah residents, 15 regents, and one student regent appointed by the governor. I decided to apply for the student position and secured an interview. While scared at the magnitude of the position, I interviewed and soon received a call that I was offered the position as student regent. I cried out of joy when I heard the news. It was also humbling that the state trusted me to represent over 180,000 students.

At the same time, I was also extended an offer to serve as a UVU presidential intern under Kara Schneck, chief of staff and vice president of Marketing and Communications. It was great to meet and learn from different individuals on campus, especially fellow presidential interns. It was also unique to work alongside President Astrid S. Tuminez on the campus level as a presidential intern and on the state level as a student regent. I was fortunate to get to know her personally as well as her colleagues on the state level, including the other university presidents and the commissioner of higher education.

These incredible experiences solidified my desire to work in higher education on both the campus and state levels after my time at UVU. Following my graduation, I will be taking a gap year, then returning to school to get a master’s in public administration. After that, I am interested in working for Student Affairs or Student Leadership. I am also thinking about attending law school down the road. I am very fortunate for the opportunities that I have had at Utah Valley University and would not be where I am without them.

To any Wolverines struggling with their own path, I want you to know I walked through a million doors to find the one I finally wanted to go through. It is crucial to keep an open mind about your direction because new, greater doors open all the time — so shoot your shots and take risks. Your efforts will pay off.