I have always loved volunteering in my community and creating pieces of art. I began spending time at a nonprofit organization called Dwell with Dignity, where their mission is to help families escape poverty and homelessness through design, one household at a time. Dwell with Dignity allowed me to combine my eye for design with my heart for community service, and I was able to be creative and impact my community at the same time. During my high school and college careers, I have been able to intern with multiple firms giving me the chance to see how both large, international architectural firms and small interior design firms function. Following graduation I will be moving back to Dallas to begin work at Emily Summers Design Associates as a Design Assistant. I am very excited to be joining such an accomplished firm and am looking forward to beginning my career in interior design and this next chapter of my life!

Major

Interior Design

Extracurricular Activities

During my time as a Forty Acres Scholar I served as an ambassador where I conducted informational sessions about the program to prospective students and their parents. I also served on the service committee where I helped coordinate scholar service events. I am a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority where I have served as assistant new member coordinator, city recruitment captain, and legacy committee chair. During the summers I interned for Merriman Anderson Architects, Emily Summers Design Associates, and Kristen Nix Interiors. I enjoyed getting to experience how these different firms operated on a daily basis.

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?

I was drawn to the Forty Acres Scholars Program because of the wonderful connections and relationships that it provides scholars with both during and after college. It is very evident that the members and donors who sponsor this program invest so much of their time and energy into the scholars. I was also attracted to the Forty Acres Program because of the unique opportunity to study abroad which this program affords its scholars. Being able to study abroad allows scholars to gain more experience and knowledge in their specific field and gives us a competitive advantage when searching for jobs. Lastly, I was drawn to this program because it is a great way to meet other students who are motivated and passionate about life and learning. The University of Texas is a large school, but being part of a tight-knit group like the Forty Acres Scholars Program helps the university feel smaller and more personal. Not only will the Forty Acres Scholars Program provide me with connections both during and after college, it will allow me to meet friends that will last a lifetime.

Favorite FASP Memory:

My favorite memory from the Forty Acres Scholars Program is going to Belize with my senior cohort on the annual senior scholar trip. We had a blast hiking in the rainforest, tubing through caves, and snorkeling with sharks and stingrays! I will always remember this special trip we were able to take together and get to know each other even better than before.