Leadership & Outreach Experiences
Science, Service, and Social Impact
I believe that impactful leadership stems from meaningful engagement, both within the academic community and beyond. My outreach experience spans a wide range of initiatives, from promoting science education and public health awareness to supporting causes centered on female empowerment, self-care, and social justice. Through my involvement with the ODU Tick Team and BGSO, I’ve contributed to STEM education, department relations, and public science literacy, while my work with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has allowed me to serve in roles that champion breast cancer awareness, domestic violence prevention, and community support through donation drives and wellness events. These experiences have taught me that true service means showing up where you're needed, using your voice and skills to uplift others, and making space for inclusive, empowering conversations. Whether I’m in a lab, a classroom, or the heart of the community, I’m committed to engaging with purpose and creating connections that foster learning, healing, and growth.
Biology Graduate Student Organization (BGSO)
As the 2024-2025 President of the Biology Graduate Student Organization, my goal has been to enhance faculty-student engagement and foster a supportive, collaborative environment within the ODU Department of Biological Sciences. Under my leadership, BGSO has worked to strengthen connections between graduate students and faculty by organizing programs and events that promote collaboration and engagement. I am honored to have been nominated for the 2025 ODU SEES Student Organization of the Year and 2025 New Leader of the Year awards.
An opportunity for graduate students with the Department of Biological Sciences to share their work.
Faculty and students went head to head in trivia! This was a revival of a tradition originally lost to the COVID pandemic.
Wetland Restoration Event in Collaboration with Lafayette Wetlands Partnership.
BGSO Sponsored a group of graduate students to visit the NYC Natural History Museum!
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Rho Nu Chapter
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As the 2021–2022 Second Vice President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Rho Nu Chapter at Old Dominion University, I focused on strengthening our chapter’s impact through intentional community and university engagement. My goals centered on optimizing our programming efforts, expanding outreach, and introducing events that promoted self-care, self-confidence, and personal growth. Under my leadership, we launched new initiatives and enhanced existing ones, leading to significant recognition through the ODU Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards. For my dedication and leadership, I was honored as the 2022 Zeta of the Year for the Rho Nu Chapter.
Award-winning events included:
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These HandZ Don’t Hurt (4th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Event) – Best Program in Risk Management (2022)
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SHE-E-O (Female CEO Empowerment Event) – Best Program in Community Service and Philanthropy (2022)
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ReflectionZ (New Self-Confidence & Self-Reflection Event) – Best Program in Leadership (2023)
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Healthy SpiritZ (New Mental Wellness & Self-Care Program) – Best Program in Risk Management (2023)
We hosted a panel of female CEOs who got to share their inspiration journey's and answer questions from the audience.
I coordinated a donation to the Alpha Xi Delta Winter Coat Drive on behalf of the Rho Nu chapter.
We joined the Zeta Gamma chapter for a campus clean up event!
Our chapter assisting with an activity hour hosted by Greek organizations!
A self-care event! Attendees got to make their own candles and assemble self-care bags and hear a presentation on the importance of self-care practices.
9th Annual Breast Cancer awareness event!
"I Knot My Hair" was a self-love and empowerment event designed to celebrate the beauty and versatility of natural hair while raising awareness about hair discrimination and the importance of the CROWN Act. I facilitated a collaboration with other Greek organizations on campus.
ReflectionZ is an event I personally developed to create a safe and empowering space for women to explore how societal norms, social media, and television shape our self-image and mental well-being. This program encourages open dialogue about the pressures women face and guides participants toward actionable ways to challenge unrealistic standards. Most importantly, ReflectionZ centers on celebrating authenticity and helping women cultivate self-love and appreciation for the reflection.
Our 4th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Program, These HandZ Don’t Hurt, was held virtually and featured powerful testimonies from survivors. Attendees received valuable information on campus resources and learned how to support friends and loved ones who may be experiencing similar situations.
ODU Tick Team
& Beyond
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My passion for community engagement is at the heart of my leadership & outreach experiences with the ODU Tick Team, Green Run High School NJROTC, and the STEM Summer Institute. With the Tick Team, I’ve participated in science communication and public outreach, educating students and families about tick ecology, disease prevention, and the role of science in protecting public health. As a proud alumna of Green Run Collegiate, I’ve remained an active sponsor and volunteer for the Green Run High School NJROTC program, mentoring cadets, supporting leadership-building efforts, and contributing resources to help the unit thrive. In 2023, I proudly served as both the Lead RA and the only Female RA for the STEM Summer Institute hosted by the Center for Bioelectronics at ODU, where I created a welcoming, empowering space for high school students pursuing STEM. I encouraged students through hands-on activities and helped them gain confidence in their research and public speaking. I also serve as a member of the Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA), where I advocate for graduate student needs and support opportunities for community-building and academic collaboration. These experiences continue to fuel my drive to serve, inspire, and connect with my community.
Pictured with Dr. Nathan Holland from the ODU Engineering Department