Two months into my freshman year, everything changed. I was sitting in my biochemistry class when I got a call that something had happened. By the time I arrived at my parents’ house, the truth was clear—my mother had passed away. The grief was overwhelming, and the rhythm of college life suddenly felt impossible. By March 2022, I made the difficult decision to step away from school for a semester to prioritize my health and my family.
When I returned, I was uncertain about my path. I had started in nursing, but I no longer knew what I wanted to pursue. I explored public relations and advertising, drawn to the creativity and connection those fields offered, but nothing felt like the perfect fit. Then I discovered marketing.
Marketing gave me the chance to use creativity while also being strategic. It allowed me to connect with people, tell stories and make an impact. I had always loved social media and helping others, and marketing felt like the bridge between those passions. In the summer of 2024, I landed an internship with Marshall’s Marketing and Communications office where I worked alongside professionals who valued my perspective and ideas.
That internship became more than just an opportunity—it became a turning point. It helped me recognize both my strengths and areas where I could grow. Creating content with the other interns made work something I genuinely looked forward to, and it deepened my love for storytelling and creativity.
Alongside my major, I chose to pursue a minor in humanities, which has allowed me to explore topics I’m deeply passionate about. Those courses have broadened my outlook and given me perspectives I might not have found otherwise.
My time at Marshall has been anything but linear. I’ve faced setbacks, endured loss and reimagined my future more than once. Yet through it all, this community showed me that there is something beautiful here—something that supports and uplifts in even the darkest moments.
As I prepare to graduate, I carry not only the knowledge and skills I’ve gained but also a renewed sense of hope. I know my mom has been with me throughout this journey—I feel it every day.
My story isn’t just one of resilience, it’s also a testament to the power of a campus community that opens doors, even in life’s hardest seasons.
