What first got you interested in your field of choice?

When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to be a resource for families who had members that needed to stay in the hospital overnight. I was a volunteer who was able to listen to so many different stories and started to build a connection with these families. The instant comfort that the families felt was inspirational and I immediately knew that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

What type of obstacles have you had to overcome on the road to getting your education?

Being a part of a larger university created a barrier between students and faculty advisors. We were unable to build a true mentorship so as a first generation student I had to mostly Google everything and go along with a hunch. I learned from my mistakes and now I’m here getting a postbac degree and en-route to apply to optometry school.

How did you know that KGI was the right school for you?

I crave having a close relationship with all my peers and KGI’s classes/programs provide exactly that. Having students that are in the same journey provides me with confidence in myself and accountability for my actions. Also, I lacked research in my undergraduate career and KGI has immense networking opportunities that I am currently taking full advantage of.

Why did you want to become an Admissions Ambassador?

In Norcal, many of us do not know about Keck Graduate Institute and how much it offers. I want to connect with as many students as I can and educate them with all the network opportunities that KGI provides. I also want to be a person who incoming students can talk to about general experiences I’ve had in just a few months. I want everyone to have an overview of how amazing KGI is.

What is one fun and interesting fact about you?

I am a passionate coffee drinker. Since the quarantine began, I splurged on different types of at home coffee makers and broadened my skills in being a barista. I call myself famous on my personal social media for posting quick 10 second coffee making videos that are ultimately satisfying and relaxing to watch.