• Hometown: Hamilton, OH
• High School: Hamilton High School
• Class: 2026
• Major: Digital Commerce

Why Miami University?

Going to Miami University’s regional campuses was part of my plan for the longest time. My sister attended Miami before me, and I also lived near the campus my whole life. As I continued through high school, it was clear that Miami University was the right fit for me to achieve my goals with a financial plan that made sense. As I have made my way through college, I know that this was the right decision for me, and with each passing semester, I am happy that this is where I chose to further my education.

How did you choose your major?

I am currently a Digital Commerce major. I declared this major when I first enrolled at Miami. Originally, this seemed like an interesting major that could open many doors for future opportunities and teach me about a variety of topics involving business and the online side of things. I did not know at the time what I wanted to do in the future, so I wanted something that could allow me to do a range of jobs. I originally entered this major with uncertainty, but as the years have gone on, I have become more confident in this decision. Throughout my time at Miami, I have learned about so many aspects of the business world, and I do feel prepared for any career that I may choose to pursue.

How have any faculty, staff, or mentors at the University played a significant role in your journey?

Through my time at Miami, the faculty and staff have helped to push me into my education and to learn more about what I can do. During my classes around my major, I have had multiple professors with much experience in the business world who have been able to share their firsthand stories about what my future career could look like. I have also taken many classes outside my major, both for requirements and personal curiosity. All these professors were encouraging and helped to teach me about topics that were more outside of my comfort zone. All the faculty and staff at Miami University have helped me to reach my full potential and continue to grow in my education.

Other Notable Experience 

​​​​I have had so many amazing experiences while attending Miami University, but some of the first to come to mind were declaring my two minors. When I first started at Miami, I decided to take an online Spanish course. This was a class I really enjoyed in high school and wanted to continue for another semester. It became clear to me that this was something I wanted to pursue, and I declared a Spanish minor at the end of that semester. This is something I am close to finishing now, and it has been an incredible experience to learn about the Spanish language itself and the culture around it. The other minor I have declared is in Studio Art. This was a recent decision I made after taking ART 111 as an extracurricular course. I love being creative, and through the encouragement I received in this course, I decided this was something I wanted to continue. Being able to add these educational endeavors to my journey has been so exciting, and I am so glad I have been able to learn more about these topics.

Advice to Prospective Students

​​My advice for other students would be: Take it slow; it can be very stressful to go through the college experience, and there are times when it feels you need to rush through things just to get to the next task at hand. While in college, there is always going to be another assignment, another semester, another year, and if you are constantly in a rush to get there, you may miss what is right in front of you. Take time to be aware and to enjoy the stage of life that you are currently in; the future will arrive eventually. Be patient with yourself; you are in college to learn, you’re not supposed to know everything before you get there. There are going to be certain topics and classes that are difficult; give yourself time to learn and give yourself some grace if things take some time to understand. Be open to new experiences; you never know what a new experience can lead to. Be willing to take courses and opportunities outside of your comfort zone. These new experiences can provide a newfound understanding of the world around you and change your perspectives. That course you’re afraid to take could become something you want to pursue. You’ll never know if you don’t try.

How have you used what you learned in different subjects to solve a problem or come up with a new idea?

I have been able to take a variety of classes during my time at Miami. This has helped me to gain many new perspectives that have affected my views. I took a creative writing class where we read an article about different kinds of thinking and problem-solving that greatly changed my perspective. This discussed the importance of thinking through multiple possibilities to solve a problem rather than just going with the first possible answer. This is a lesson I have carried with me to my classes involving business. There are often multiple solutions to one problem, and finding these can lead to a much better outcome rather than just going with what was decided first.

How have your experiences at Miami helped you develop an entrepreneurial mindset — like being resilient, adaptable, or willing to take risks?

I do feel I have developed a more entrepreneurial mindset during my time at Miami. I feel more capable now of doing difficult things. I am also more open to taking chances, letting the curiosity of what could come next overcome the fear of uncertainty.

How have you taken on leadership roles or responsibilities — whether in your classes, work, or community — during your time at Miami? What motivated you to step into those roles, and what impact did they have?

I have taken some leadership roles in my classes, primarily through group projects. I have always been very organized, and I felt that I was able to greatly benefit the groups I have worked in with good communication and work. Stepping into these roles has helped me to better see other perspectives and has greatly enhanced my communication skills.