I am from Florence, Alabama, a small town that sits close to the border of Tennessee. Florence is known as the birthplace of Helen Keller and the great Father of the Blues, W.C. Handy. I graduated from Alabama State University in 2022 with my bachelors in psychology. I’m also attending my alma mater online for my Master of Education in school counseling.

A few fun facts about me are that I love to dance and spend time with my cat, Keanu. I also love to watch anime and travel to new places.

At ASU, I faced many social, emotional, and academic obstacles that nearly made me want to give up. My first year, as a self-supporting student working 2 jobs, taking 15+credit hours, and being away from home, friends, and family, I struggled with anxiety and depression

When I felt like I had no one to turn to, my teachers and mentors uplifted me. With their encouragement, I began to take the initiative and crafted a worthwhile college experience

I joined clubs, organizations, and conferences, met people from various backgrounds, made new friends, and got the support I needed to push forward to the finish line.

Since then, I’ve continued to break barriers I never thought possible: continuing to graduate school, moving to another state for the College Advising Corps, and more. I’ve had first-hand experience of “coaches” and support systems motivating and pushing me to achieve my goals. By becoming a college coach, I get to “pay it forward” to students who are like I was in college.

During college, when I was figuring out how to deal with new emotions and experiences, I would often call my aunt. She steadily offered her comfort and grace in those times, and still does even now as I navigate adulthood.

Something she always says is, “This too shall pass.” These words have become a sort of mantra for me. When I am anxious, sad, angry, or experiencing any troubling emotion, this simple phrase serves as a reminder that no matter the situation or how deeply I am feeling about it, it is not permanent. There is always a brighter, happier day ahead. College is a life-changing and exciting experience, but it can also bring about many, many difficult emotions. It’s always important to remember that no matter what, “this too shall pass.”