Why did you pick your major?
I tried out for every sport in high school. Literally, you name it, I tried: softball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, cheerleading. I didn’t make a single team. I was devastated, thinking I had nothing I was good at. And then life happened and after some really hard times, I realized I was good at writing. So instead of playing sports, I joined the school newspaper. I really enjoyed it there but realized I like writing creatively even more. I loved them both, though, so instead of just choosing one, I went with both. Double majoring is time consuming but it’s the best decision I could’ve made.

Why did you pick Hofstra? 
Would you believe me if I told you another school – a really good school – offered me $42,000 in scholarships and I turned it down to go to Hofstra? I’m preparing myself for the “What were you thinking?”s. I was dead-set on my school choice but one of my friends was coming here for Admitted Student’s Day so I figured, why not? It was a terrible day – rainy, dark, cloudy – and despite that, I still thought it was the most beautiful place. The internship opportunities blew me away, too. And as cliché as it may sound, the second I stepped onto campus, I felt like I was home. It wasn’t about the money for me, it never has been. It’s about going some place you truly believe you fit and some place you know you’ll flourish. I whole-heartedly believe that if I had gone anywhere else, I would’ve never accomplished as much as I have.

Internships? Please list.
Virtual: ChickSpeak.Com, CanIGetAManWithThat.com, LoveTwenty.com
Field: Seventeen Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Sterling Publishing

Favorite campus activity:
Playing with the Hofstra cats! No, I’m kidding. I really love when it’s over 80 degrees out and everyone is lounging on the quad reading, doing their homework, hanging out, whatever.

Why?
It’s one of those moments that remind you to take a second to breathe and enjoy what’s around you.

Favorite class/professor:
I’ve loved the two creative writing workshops I took with Professor Paul Zimmerman. Of all the classes and professors I’ve had, nothing beats them.

Why?
I find the best professors and classes are the ones who let you be yourself and see the best in what you have to offer. They’re interested in molding your existing skills, not telling you you’re wrong. That’s why I love Creative Writing so much. There isn’t a right or wrong answer. There’s just you.

What have you found as your “Purpose”?
My purpose here was to show students how to get involved and make a difference.

Favorite thing about NY/Long Island:
I would say the beaches but I’m from RI so there’s nothing quite like our beaches. That being said, I’d have to go with its proximity to the city. That’s probably something everyone says but it’s true: with the city so close, the opportunities are endless. Whether those opportunities are jobs, internships, or just the discovery of yourself, they’re there.

Favorite campus eatery:
Au Bon Pain for sandwiches, Bits for salads, and Taro 13 for sushi – I can’t pick one!

Favorite campus spot: 
There’s a sundial in a little garden just outside Mason Hall that says, “Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.” That’s my favorite place. Even more so when it’s warm out.

What surprised you about Hofstra?
There’s someone for everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you enjoy, if you love Hofstra or hate Hofstra, if you commute or live on campus. No matter your place, there is someone here who understands you and wants to be your friend.

What is your idea of success in 5 years?  Or in 20 years?
In 5 years or 20 years, I’ll measure my success based on happiness and how much I’ve helped people. If I didn’t believe that, I’d have a completely different major and lifestyle. You could be making millions of dollars but what does it matter if you haven’t built relationships or enjoyments to celebrate it all with? And in the same breath, if you have all of that money and are using it for you and you alone, what good is that? Anyone can give a donation but it takes a special person to put that money toward a plane ticket, travel somewhere rural, and manually help people in need.  

Best Hofstra memory:
Looking back, it’s so hard to choose just one. The Debate was incredible, being on Fall Festival Court was awesome, the flash mob in the Student Center was insane, but above all, my best Hofstra memory was moving in my very first day. I won’t ever forget it and every year that I check residents into the Netherlands, I relive it and get so nostalgic. We don’t ever get that moment back.

Favorite (short) Hofstra story:
I love love, so the story behind Kate and Willy gets me every time. Strong couples are the driving force behind so many amazing things. This is one of them!

What do you take the most “Pride” in?
I greatly value the university’s welcoming of diversity.  We literally have all types of students at Hofstra and all are respected and accepted for their unique qualities.

What have you found as your “Purpose”?
My purpose here was to show students how to get involved and make a difference.  My freshman year I was not sure how I was going to fit into the Hofstra community, but quickly grew to become a very active member of the student body.  After being involved for a few semesters I knew it was my job to give back to Hofstra as much as they had given to me.