Carolina Scholar
Boiling Springs High School
Boiling Springs, S.C.
Chemistry
The professor had taken the time to memorize our names and faces before ever meeting any of us. It spoke volumes to the fact that I was a personal investment to my professors at this university and not another number in the back of a classroom.
Career plans: Following graduation, I am interested in pursuing a career that serves others. To that end, I am planning to obtain my Ph.D. in chemical oceanography related to climate change and ocean acidification. I want to work in a private or governmental research agency, but later work in an academic setting to give back. This may possibly look like being a professor or working with an underprivileged high school student population.
UofSC Story: A couple days before school started my freshman year, I was looking for my classrooms
when a professor pointed me to the room. When I got to class on Friday, the same professor
named every single student. I then realized that the professor had taken the time
to memorize our names and faces before ever meeting any of us. It spoke volumes to
the fact that I was a personal investment to my professors at this university and
not another number in the back of a classroom. Since then, I have been surrounded
by classmates, friends, and professors who have cared for me immensely. Research faculty
set aside time with me one-on-one to find topics that shifted my entire career trajectory
into water and environmental topics. I had professors and advisors going above and
beyond to ensure my success and care, making it so easy to call Carolina home and
so exciting to pursue what is next.
Most impactful experience: One of the most impactful experiences was studying abroad in Athens, Greece. I had
the opportunity to live 5,000 miles across the world and soak up an entirely different
culture centered on community. I adored my time with many people and the chance to
be surrounded by so many different backgrounds and cultures. While there for only
three months due to the pandemic, I was able to serve at a refugee center in the city,
where I buillt relationships with many people escaping the middle east.
Best part of the Top Scholars program: Being a Top Scholar has presented me with an immense number of resources, faculty
and opportunities at UofSC I would not have had otherwise. As a Top Scholar, I have
had the privilege to know and be involved in so many events on and off campus. I have
been connected to professors, faculty and staff who care about me personally beyond
just my classroom success.