Think beyond

Major: Political Science

Q. What’s the best thing about Drew University?
A. The community! I love people. I love talking with people and learning about new cultures and new perspectives. I love it when people come out of their homes and offices to create community, and that’s what happens here at Drew. This is a school that’s not big and not small—but quite diverse.

Q. And have you had a chance to create community yourself?
A. Well, for one, I’m a resident adviser at Hoyt. My biggest responsibility is to make sure that residents feel comfortable and safe, but I also work hard to bring everyone out of their rooms to enjoy life. I try to be creative with the activities I plan, whether it’s movie night, smoothie night, a mini-golf trip or a program addressing a social issue.

Q. What other Drew experiences have been particularly meaningful for you?
A. Being a political science major planning a career in world affairs, I loved hearing former secretary of state Madeleine Albright speak on campus. There was a huge crowd, lots of students and faculty as well as people from outside the Drew community. And I was thrilled that Paul Rusesabagina—the real-life hero of the movie Hotel Rwanda—spoke here too. The whole theatre was full—it was so inspiring to hear him speak firsthand of his heroic efforts to save lives during the Rwandan genocide. 

Q. Since you are interested in world affairs, have you had a chance for international travel through Drew?
A. Last summer, some friends and I traveled to Uganda to volunteer in a village for children orphaned by AIDS. We helped to build a sidewalk for the village, but mainly we spent time with the kids, played soccer with them, showed them we cared. I grew up in Uganda, so it was an incredible experience.

Q. And what was the Drew connection to your trip?
A. I was inspired by a campus visit from the Watoto Children’s Choir, a choir that travels around the world to raise awareness of Uganda’s orphaned children. After my friends and I decided to spend the summer volunteering with these children, we had to raise money to pay for our trip. We got so much support from the Drew community, including a grant from Drew’s Presidential Initiatives Fund. I just called President Weisbuch’s office, made an appointment and got his support. 

Q. What are your career plans? And how has your Drew education helped prepare you? 
A. I want to work in world affairs and help to empower the people of developing countries. So many countries are in poverty, torn by war, devastated by HIV/AIDS—if we don’t do something to keep these countries from becoming unstable, there will be devastating global effects. I believe we need to take care of others to take care of ourselves. At Drew, I’ve had great opportunities to be a leader, to create community and to be an example to others.