Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am an honors broadcast journalism major and public relations minor from Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
I am proud to be elected the first e-board president of the Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honors Society. In this role, I’ve been able to be a resource for potential aspirants looking to join the society and connect with other first-gen students working to boost our presence and get people talking about the Center for First-Generation & Educational Equity office, as well as the honors society.
I am also a third-year resident assistant with Suffolk’s Office of Residence Life (Reslife). I’ve had the honor of advising about 200 students. It’s been great getting to connect with different identities and I love putting on creative programs that bring students out of their rooms and help them escape the stresses of college.
What inspired you to pursue your area of study?
I was originally a law major and I realized my first semester that it wasn’t what I wanted. I knew I loved storytelling, talking to people, visual art, public speaking, and writing. I finally found broadcast journalism where I can community stories and hard news to diverse audiences.
What practical experiences have you had in your program?
Since I changed my major to broadcast journalism, my home has been Studio 73 where I get to be an on-air reporter and host. I have had the honor through the studio and mentorship of Jerry Glendye and Patrick Lys to report live on-air with New England Cable News.
Reporting for NECN for the past year has been the most enriching experience I’ve had. Doing on-air reporting, going out to shoot a story, turning it around to go live, is exactly what I would be doing post-grad. Getting to practice those skills being mentored by NBC staff was beneficial for my network and career.
This past year I produced news packages for the network bringing Suffolk stories to life. I had the opportunity to conduct interviews at a local gala carpet event presented by The Museum of African American History and hosted by comedian and actor Anthony Anderson. I’ve also been able to host multiple shows for various departments, including “The On-Ramp,” a talk show produced by the Sawyer Business School. I have benefitted the most from this department because it solidified my love for journalism and has given me that true hands-on experience that you can’t get many other places.
I have completed four internships in my four years here at Suffolk; from GBH, to NECN, to Channel 5 and more. They made my schedule busy, but helped me find out if journalism was the career I wanted to pursue.
What course, project, or other experience has been the most compelling, interesting, or significant for you so far?
My internship at WCVB-Channel 5 has been the most significant experience in my career. Specifically, the chance to produce my own show for their “Cityline” program focusing on communities of color. I was head producer of a show I called, “Women of Color at the Intersection” that focused on how gender and race impact women of color in the workforce, healthcare system, and carceral system. I worked all summer to research, interview, write and bring this show together. It has aired multiple times on Channel 5 and is a project that I am especially proud of.
Are you involved in any other activities?
I have upheld a legacy in Reslife and among my peers with my hard work and dedication to serving the Suffolk community as a diversity peer educator with The Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion. This job has fueled my love for event planning and community building. I have been able to plan events and spaces specifically for students of color to thrive and feel safe. I led the charge with fellow student, Victor-Cruz Castro, in planning our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. week celebrations. The turnout of both of these events was quite special. The first event we had was called, “Dreams to Life: An Interactive Workshop and Dinner.” Our second event was “The MLK Awards Ceremony,” where we awarded an undergraduate student, a law student, a staff member, and a department for their efforts towards positive change in the community.
Thanks to The Center Community Engagement, (CCE) I have been able to travel for the very first time via plane as an Alternative Break Leader. I am able to lead a group of select students on community service trips in several locations. Last year, I led the Habitat for Humanity trip in Maryland and our politically focused trip to Puerto Rico. To end my time with the CCE, I will be spending senior week on a service trip to Ghana. From the beginning of the semester, I help teach lessons to the students pertaining to what it truly means to go into another community and serve. I’ve learned so much about myself as a leader and about working in teams as well.
As a first-generation student, how does your family and/or support system feel about you being the first to attend college? What does being first generation mean to you?
I know both of my parents are so proud of me for pursuing what I love and they love watching my dreams come to life. My friends are also so supportive of all the hard work I put into every position that I hold on campus. Being first-generation to me means exemplifying a higher level of resilience and determination each and every day. There’s this obligation to continue on because of those who support us, so it is important to always remember that.
What are your future career ambitions?
I just accepted an offer to be a news reporter at a local Massachusetts news station. In the long run, my dream is to become a host of a television program or become an entertainment/lifestyle reporter.
How will your degree or the experiences you’ve had at Suffolk help you achieve those goals?
I utilized as many resources as I could in my Suffolk journey. I have built a network that has also helped me navigate various life challenges. My classes have prepared me to go into the field, and my internships have taught me advanced skills that make me want to stay in the industry. Thanks to all of these experiences, I have secured a full-time job before I graduate in May.