Hometown: Starkville, MS
High School: Indian Springs School
Major: International Politics & Economics with a focus on Western Europe
Minor: Arabic

Activities: Coxswain for Middlebury College Rowing Club, President of Middlebury Southern Society, International Students Organization Social Events Committee, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Wonnacott Commons Council

Study Abroad: Fall 2010 at Sciences Po in Paris, France; Spring 2011 in Beijing, China

Why did I want to be a Senior Fellow?

As a Freshman, I fell totally and unreservedly in love with Middlebury.  Beautiful fall days spent looking out the second floor window of the library, late nights philosophizing with my classmates and early morning crew practice on Lake Dunmore...  As a Sophomore and Junior, I continued to discover new things about Middlebury and loved it even more.  The reason I wanted to be a Senior Fellow, though, is not that I loved Middlebury  my Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years, but because I didn't know that I loved Middlebury until my Freshman year.

As a Senior Fellow, I hope to provide a look into real life at Middlebury, to personify the remarkable Middlebury College community, and to show prospective students the things that really make you fall in love with Middlebury.  Students should not and do not need to wait until Freshman year to see what makes Middlebury so special.  As a Senior Fellow, I hope to help you discover at least a fraction of the amazing things the College has to offer before your journey here even begins.

What was my college search like?

The college application and admissions process for me, like many, was a shot in the dark.  My family has historically attended public universities close to home, but when I began my search, I knew that was not the right choice for me.  As I shopped through liberal arts, ivy leagues, and even religious institutions it became increasingly clear that I didn’t know what I was looking for; size, academics, and location varied drastically in the schools that made my final list of colleges.  Without being able to visit most of the colleges on my list (including Middlebury), I was left to guess what each school’s community was like, what feeling the campus had to it, and how students, faculty, and staff came together to make up the college.   I am extremely lucky to have, largely by chance, chosen the ideal college for me!

Why Middlebury?

When I decided to go to Middlebury as a high school senior, I honestly could not have answered the question “Why Middlebury?”.  It was really just luck and the power of persuasion exercised by my friends and family that led me to the school.  Now, over three years later, I’m having trouble answering the question “Why not Middlebury?”.  While anyone could tell you about our superior academics, excellent extracurriculars, gorgeous campus, fabulous food, and ingenious professors, what they can’t explain is the strength and vibrancy of the Middlebury community.  Why Middlebury?  Simply, my fellow students.

What is life at Middlebury like?

Choosing a major

I knew before starting college that I wanted to combine my love of foreign languages and cultures with my interest in politics.  Economics seemed like a logical and necessary complement to studies in political science.  So, International Politics & Economics immediately stood out as the perfect major for me.

The biggest challenge in transitioning to college

Accepting that I can’t do everything I want to was definitely the hardest part of transitioning to life at Middlebury.  I quickly learned that I needed to prioritize among classes, sports, clubs, and other extracurriculars in order to be successful.  That isn’t to say you can’t try everything!  But, at some point you’ll need to decide which activities are worth really committing to and how best to use your time.

Fondest memory of Middlebury

Laying out on a blanket at 2 am one Tuesday with friends watching the meteor shower from the organic garden.

Favorite class or professor

I wouldn’t say I can choose a favorite, but a political science class with Professor James Morrison is a can’t miss.

What I do in my spare time

Sleep – a lot, catch up with friends, read BBC online, linger over lunch or dinner in Ross, hit the gym, watch Midd’s sports teams killing the competition...

What I did this past summer

With the help of Middlebury funding, I spent this past summer living in Bucharest, Romania while interning with the Department of State at Embassy Bucharest.  I had an amazing time working in the political section there and fell in love with Romania!  Aside from the wonderful people I met there, some great adventures in Transylvania, and invaluable work experience, the summer also inspired my “mini-thesis” on Roma political mobilization.