I graduated from Henderson State University with both my AS, Pre-Dental Hygiene in May of 2022 and BS, Biology with a minor in Political Science in August of 2023.
In 2012, I was able to represent HSU as an Pre-Veterinary attendee to the St. George's University's Med/Vet Academy in Grenada, West Indies. The experience fortified topics that we had discussed and learned in lecture and lab courses and served to broaden my cultural and academic perspective through the exploration of Grenada's sea-side culture, the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, the Caribbean Ocean and its complex life systems, conservation programs such as Ocean Spirits, facilitated hands-on Veterinary care training, and provided exposure to a Graduate-level environment.
In 2013, a small group of peers and I were accompanied by Dr. James Engman to go on a spelunking expedition in the Blanchard Caverns of Northern Arkansas. On this trip, we were able to explore various rock and mineral types, observed the unique characteristics of cave fauna, and were educated on conservation efforts being made to support species of bats that have been affected by White Nose Syndrome.
Under the supervision of Dr. Cynthia Fuller I was allowed to volunteer as an Lab Assistant for middle school students in 2021 during a strawberry DNA replication lab, and in 2022 during a dissection demonstration lab at the same middle school. During the 2022 event, I supervised as my group of students cleaned and identified parts of a ex vivo pig pluck. What started out as "stinky and gross" turned into "disgusting and awesome!" and left the students asking more questions than we had time for.
It is my hope to use the aforementioned knowledge, skills, and experience to help other students likewise find the fun and exciting in the seemingly off-putting and difficult parts of education pertaining to Biology, English, and Chemistry. It is my hope to help students find the style of learning that works best for them so that they can succeed in spite of struggles in the years to come.
I've been with VT for about a year now and have successfully helped numerous students of various ages, with IEP and 504 plans, and those that simply wanted to have a more detailed explanation of the material. Whatever the situation is, we can get you through it together!