English major and women’s studies minor: Upper Marlboro, Md.

Why Bucknell?

"On my first visit, I fell in love with the campus. Bucknell was among several liberal arts colleges that I considered, and I wouldn’t change coming here for the world – especially because of the people. I can’t just pinpoint one or two professors who have really influenced me at Bucknell. So many of them have taken time out of their busy lives to help me work toward my dreams and goals.

"In my major, which is English, the faculty really challenge us to think more critically about the ways that literature and art fit into academic life. My adviser, Professor Eric Faden, encourages me to think about how I want to get involved in film and media after I graduate. He’s going to mentor me this summer during my internship in Washington, D.C."

Interest in Film and Media

"I’ve had a passion for the arts, and film, and media ever since I was a little girl. I used to watch TV and say ‘How did they do that? And why did they do that?’ One day I began to really explore my questions and my thoughts about media and film and television. Since then, I knew that one day I wanted to study and work in that field.

"Bucknell doesn’t have a film major, but it does have a new concentration in film and media studies within the English major. The program at Bucknell fits right into my interests and career goals. English is also a great background for me because I want to write children’s books one day."

Women and Criminal Justice

"My favorite course right now is outside of English. I’m a women’s studies minor and as part of that, I’m taking Women and the Penal System with Professor Coralynn Davis. We go to a local correctional facility every Tuesday for class. The class is made up of 13 Bucknell students and 13 women in the prison. We discuss topics of criminal justice and how it affects women. The class really breaks through stereotypes. It really helps us to understand people’s humanity better. I’ve thought about things I’ve never thought about before."

Arts Experience

"This year I started an Arts Expression Poetry Night once a month on campus. It’s an open mic night where students can sing, dance, read poetry, or do whatever forms of creative expression they want. There’s a different theme each month, such as study abroad or diversity. Poetry Night features a mix of people and perspectives – it’s kind of like a modern day Harlem Renaissance.

"Arts Expression provides options and an outlet for discussion on campus, but it also enhances my academic experience because it gives me a chance to do something extracurricular that is important to me. In many cases, it relates to things that I’m doing in class.”

More About My Interests

• Department of English
• Brothers and Sisters Empowered
• Stop the Hate
• Women’s and Gender Studies