What advice would you give a prospective Honors student?

Some advice that I would give to a prospective Honors student is to enjoy the moment. Throughout your time at Towson, you will experience many opportunities, challenges, or changes, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. Given the recent switch to remote learning due to the pandemic, I’m sure many of you do feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Make sure to take some time for yourself and make the most of each day. Also, be sure to get involved in the Honors College, and don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Why did you choose the Honors College?

I decided to join the Honors College because I could envision myself thriving in a community filled with intellectually curious scholars who seek to achieve academic excellence. I also appreciated the small class sizes that allowed me to build strong relationships with my Honors professors and network with students across a variety of disciplines. The Honors College provides students with numerous opportunities both on-campus and off-campus, and I wanted to take advantage of all of its opportunities.

What is an academic experience - like a book, project, or research paper - that has had an impact on your life?

An academic experience that has had an impact on my life is a legislative bill I wrote for my Honors Public Policy and Advocacy Class with Senator Sarah Elfreth. The purpose of my bill is to create restorative practices in Maryland public schools to help dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and provide an inclusive school environment for all students to thrive. From my work on this bill and my participation in the Undergraduate Research club, I had the opportunity to present my research at the Maryland Honors Collegiate Council Conference. I also had the opportunity to present my bill to different faculty on Towson’s campus. These opportunities have helped me to discover my passion for criminal justice reform in disenfranchised communities. I hope to continue to expand on my research in the future and use my experiences to become a powerful change agent in my community.

What is your favorite aspect of the Honors community?

My favorite aspect of the Honors community is the diversity of students. The Honors College community has students of different races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic statuses, interests, and backgrounds. I enjoy networking with Honors students in my classes or at Honors events to learn about their aspirations for the future. The Honors College is a close-knit community that allows students to learn from one another and feel comfortable voicing their perspectives on different issues.

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