Interview conducted by: Annaliese Clayton

What year did you graduate from UK? 

I graduated in 2018 with a dual degree in Psychology and Political Science with minors in Neuroscience and Biology.  

What were you involved in during your time in the UK PSY Department? 

I did and experienced so much during my time at UK that’s fun to reflect on now, including leadership positions in the Student Government Association (SGA), DanceBlue, FUSION, Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, the Student Activities Board, Society for the Promotion of Undergraduate Research (SPUR), and the Pre-Medical Activities Council.  

I was also a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, served on the University Dining Advisory Council, participated in the Healthcare Residential Living Learning Program, the EMPOWER Women’s Leadership Program, and the Leadership Development Program. I volunteered for four years with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, and was a K-Crew Leader, Peer Mentor for A&S WIRED, a mentor with College Mentors for Kids, and went on several ASB and MEDLIFE service trips.  

Within Psychology specifically, I was actively involved in Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society and undergraduate research under Dr. Mark Prendergast. I often spoke about my experiences with those as a College of Arts and Sciences Ambassador, Wildcat Ambassador and Tour Guide with the Visitor Center.  

Did you feel nervous thinking about the future as an undergrad? What advice do you have for undergraduate students who are beginning to think of the future? 

Oh of course! I remember feeling a lot of pressure to define my future early, to be the person that others wanted me to be and to pursue what looked good in their eyes. Unfortunately, we can spend a lot of time doing the thing we think we should be doing, and miss out on the thing we’re meant to be doing.  

To be candid, I spent my whole life planning to become a physician and when I finally got to the place post-undergrad to finish my first semester of medical school, I realized I couldn’t see myself spending yet another decade just to make other people happy. The passion wasn’t there for me. If I hadn’t taken the time to step back and reflect and really intentionally take steps towards my own happiness, I wouldn’t be where I am today and I might be stuck in a career I don’t love. Instead, I get to wake up every day knowing I make a

difference in the lives of others and that I’ve created the kind of lifestyle I want to live and am on the way to creating the legacy I want to be known for.  

Please know that it’s okay not to have it all figured out right now. It’s okay to change or to fail. Your future doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Your path will unfold through the choices you make, the people you meet, and even the mistakes you learn from. Give yourself permission to dream big, but also to grow. And every season you walk through teaches you something that will help you later, even if you don’t see it now. Remember, there’s power in the pivot and you can turn any tragedy into triumph.  

What opportunities during your time helped you be most successful? These could be research, internships, school resources, professors. 

The opportunities that helped me be most successful after college were those that allowed me to apply what I was learning in real-world contexts, connect with mentors, and build leadership skills. Serving in the Student Government Association gave me firsthand experience in policy, advocacy, and collaboration, all of which translated directly into my work in the nonprofit and public sectors. Participating in the EMPOWER Women’s Leadership Program and the Leadership Development Program taught me how to lead with purpose and resilience. My involvement in DanceBlue and Alternative Service Breaks instilled a deep commitment to service and strengthened my organizational and team leadership abilities. Joining Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, gave me the foundational knowledge and network to successfully launch and run a small business—an experience that sharpened my entrepreneurial mindset and financial acumen. These experiences, combined with mentoring relationships with faculty and advisors who believed in my potential, gave me the confidence and tools to pursue bold goals. Ultimately, the blend of leadership, service, entrepreneurship, and mentorship during college shaped the values and skills that have anchored my success.

What are you doing now? What are your future goals? 

Right now, my most important job is as the mom to an adorable epileptic puppy dog! I’m running a small pageant coaching business while also building bridges between small business owners and economic opportunity, between policy and community, and between systems and the people they’re meant to serve. At Interise, I support a national network of entrepreneurs—many from underrepresented backgrounds—helping them access the tools, capital, and connections needed to grow and build generational wealth. I also serve

on the boards of the Junior League of Nashville, Tennessee Justice Center, and Pawster, working locally to address poverty, literacy, housing insecurity and legislative inequities.  

In the future, I plan to become an Executive Director of a nonprofit, scale more companies successfully and to purchase a home here in Nashville—all goals that represent stability, impact, and growth. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m committed to learning, serving, and showing up fully in every space I enter. My journey has taught me that leadership starts with listening, and that lasting change happens when we stay curious, stay kind, and stay rooted in the communities we care about.

What is one lesson you learned as a PSY major that you still carry with you? This does not have to be entirely academic related. 

One of the most lasting lessons I learned is that identity is fluid and that resilience is built, not born. From developmental psychology to social psych, I saw how much change is possible over time. Life after college comes with uncertainty, but understanding how we adapt and adjust gave me perspective, which gave me the confidence to evolve—personally and professionally—without feeling like I had to have all the answers at 21. Fortunately, I’m not the same person I was at 19 that I am now at 29, and you won’t be either.  

Bonus: Favorite Quote  

“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” - Joseph Campbell