You earned your degree in Government & Politics at the University of Maryland. Tell us what inspired you to choose this line of study and what you took away from your undergraduate academic experience.
I was originally a computer science major, however, my freshman year I took several political science classes that changed my perspective. I think that political science is a great way to understand people and society at large, and public policy is a great way to help find solutions for everybody. My experience in my undergraduate program showed me how important diverse perspectives are for creating a brighter future.
You were a Teacher’s Assistant at the University of Maryland as well. How did being in front of the classroom change your perception of your fellow students and your professors?
Being a teaching assistant for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department at UMD gave me a lot of confidence in my ability to communicate ideas efficiently and to meet people where they are at. Having almost 100 students per semester was certainly a challenge, but I enjoyed being able to help them work through challenges and reduce some of the pressure they were under.
You’re from Frederick, Maryland, which is both rural and urban. So, do you consider yourself more of an urbanite or country or a bit of both? Explain your answer.
Personally, I enjoy the atmosphere of bigger cities more than suburban or rural areas. Having everything so close is a major convenience. I also think there is a certain sense of community that comes from being so close to so many other people.
What is your favorite way to chill and relax?
Something I have done for a long time to relax is play video games. I enjoy difficult games most of the time. Recently, I have been playing Elden Ring, which can be very challenging but beating a boss is way more rewarding because of it. Other than that, I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and family.
What cartoon or cartoons were your favorite/s as a kid and why?
As a kid I used to love watching SpongeBob with my family. I think that the first few seasons are some of the best cartoons ever made, and I’ll still watch some old episodes from time to time. Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack is another lesser-known cartoon that I really enjoyed, although it was cancelled after a few seasons for being too weird.
