Leading Other Dragons to Success

Through my past three years, soon to be four, at Drexel, I have had a lot of great experiences. I have presented research overseas, gained three great work experiences through the co-op program, and have been challenged and inspired through the biomedical engineering curriculum. Through all of that, though, some of my most rewarding experiences have been through serving the Drexel community.

I like to think of myself as an older sister on campus to my residents, helping them in any way I can.

I started serving the Drexel community my sophomore year, as a peer mentor for the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems (Biomed). As a peer mentor, I am able to help incoming biomedical engineering students navigate the transition to Drexel and explore the possibilities of the biomedical engineering major. Later that year, I became the Recreation Coordinator for the Drexel Newman Catholic Community. There, I was able to help plan fun events like open mic nights, spikeball tournaments, and Frisbee tournaments to allow students to unwind after class.

During my pre-junior year, I became a resident assistant (RA) in Drexel Housing, another position I still hold today. Through being an RA, I am able to help incoming first-year students starting from their very first day at Drexel. I like to think of myself as an older sister on campus to my residents, helping them in any way I can.

During the summer, I became the peer mentor for the Velay Fellows within the STAR Scholars program, both of which I had participated in my first year. By being the mentor for the Velay Fellows, I was able to help young women entering the world of research the summer of their very first year, discussing and working through the challenges and joys of their fields.

This year, while I continue to be a Biomed peer mentor and RA, I am now the travel coordinator for Drexel's club sport climbing team. With the season just starting, I have had the greatest pleasure in watching new members join the team and experience competitive climbing. I love helping run and watch practice to see my fellow teammates work through struggles, try new things, and do things they didn't believe they could.

When I reflect upon what my greatest joys and achievements have been so far, these are the experiences I appreciate the most. Helping nervous first-year students become confident members of the Drexel community and watching tired students forget their stresses in activities I have helped plan may not seem like significant successes to some, but for me they are everything.