“The pursuit of science, and scientific excellence, is inseparable from the humans who animate it.”
—Panel on the State of the Profession and Societal Impacts (Astro 2020)

Letters to a Pre-Scientist

I participate in the Letters to a Pre-Scientist pen pal program, exchanging handwritten letters with middle school students to show them that scientists are real, approachable people, and that a career in science is absolutely within their reach too.

Black Hole Summer Camp with Flandrau

I helped plan fun and educational activities for a group of kids from 3rd-5th grade to learn more about black holes. Over the course of a week the students learned what black holes are, how they're formed, and how they affect the world around us!

Academia to Industry Talk Series

I organized a talk series at Steward Observatory bringing back alumni who had successfully transitioned from academia to industry giving current graduate students and postdocs a dedicated space to hear firsthand accounts of what that transition actually looks like: the decisions, the trade-offs, the skills needed. Getting a chance to hear firsthand what that path actually looks like helps students make more informed decisions about their own careers.

Polaris Mentorship Program

I helped to foster a mentor-mentee relationship with an underrepresented student for two semesters during which I advised them on a research project in astronomy. Especially during COVID, it was hard to feel a sense of community within the department. This program helped these students feel like they had a place to belong within astronomy.

Mount Leadership Society

Through this program I have had the pleasure of tutoring and engaging with 25+ students weekly at the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus, being a committee leader that worked with local businesses and schools to develop an anti-bullying workshop, and so much more.

Advocates for Women of the World

This is a global, intersectional, feminist organization that advocates for those who are marginalized on the basis of gender and/or sex. I was able to help raise money to help a woman in India go to college and hold a period drive to collect pads and tampons for those who could not afford them among many other activities.