What attracted you to Loyola?

I was attracted to Loyola because of how I was received by the community. A lot of the other schools I visited seemed impersonal. It was like they didn’t care if you came or not. At Loyola, it just felt like home. Everyone is so welcoming. People say that college is difficult because you’re on your own, but that’s not true. I chose Loyola because it felt like home and reminded me of how encouraging and loving my actual family is. Nothing can beat the support and love of family...I truly feel that without it, I don't know where I would be today.

Explain the ALANA mentoring program you’re involved with.ALANA is the African, Latino, Asian and Native American student services program. The department sponsors a bunch of ethnic clubs on campus and hosts different events throughout the year. The mentoring program is designed to help freshmen acclimate to campus life. I’ve been a mentor for the past three years and I was mentored my first year. It’s been a really rewarding experience seeing mentees grow up and get involved in campus. The program really encourages meeting new people and it is a great way to be an influence on somebody’s life.

Why did you volunteer at Mother Seton Academy? Mother Seton Academy is a Catholic middle school for children who are economically disadvantaged. I got involved because when I was in elementary school, we had people from high schools and colleges come and volunteer and it had a positive impact on me. It inspired me to be like them and to go to college. It’s fun volunteering and the kids really enjoy it. They look forward to homework help each week. Knowing you had something to do with changing their grades and their experience…that means a lot.

Where are you interning this year? I currently intern at the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Preston Street in Baltimore as a Legislative Liaison. My main duty is to review proposed legislative bills and try to decide if they are DBM-related. If they are, I have to research current bills and do bill reviews and fiscal notes to try and estimate the impact on the state if the bill was to be passed.

What are you doing after graduation? I have a conditional offer of employment with the government to be a budget analyst. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a six-year commitment and three years of it is an internship. I plan to go to grad school while I’m working.