Student Stories

I chose Global Leadership Studies as my major because of my passion for international development and learning about international economics, politics and relations. This major has been a gateway to allow me to step into the international field with developed cultural awareness and emotional intelligence. My advisor has supported me from the moment I stepped into her office. Through her encouragement and help, I have obtained wonderful internships, met international scholars, developed a supportive network for post-graduation and most importantly, learned the impact women can have in executive leadership positions. Belmont has allowed me to pursue my passions in a supportive environment and grow in my faith and awareness of the world.

Favorite Experience in a GLS class

In Introduction to Global Leadership Studies, we were studying the impacts of girl’s education and during the process of writing a paper I analyzed the Gender Gap Index. I learned that Rwanda was ranked as the fifth most gender equal nation in the world, and immediately developed an interest. A year and a half later, I have completed my thesis on how Rwandan women were involved in the reconstruction of Rwanda, and I have that class to thank for sparking my intrigue.

Internships

Last year, I interned at A House on Beekman, an after-school non-profit in South Bronx, New York. This year I am interned at the Nashville Mayor’s Office in the Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement.

Study Abroad

I spent a Maymester in Greece, and studied abroad in Australia for a semester.

Career Plans

My thesis truly sparked my passion for Rwanda, and my time abroad has nurtured a love for travel, exploration and international organizations. After graduation, I will go work at a school in Rwanda, where I will tutor students, help teach music classes and help teach a women’s empowerment workshop. My hope is to learn hands-on how gender equality has evolved in Rwanda after the genocide, and apply all the knowledge I have obtained with my thesis writing through action in Rwanda. After volunteering in Rwanda I plan to obtain my Master’s Degree in International Development, Transatlantic Affairs, Humanitarian Assistance or Law and Diplomacy. Working in Rwanda will be essential in applying for jobs in the global sector and for Master’s Programs.

Due to my experience in Enactus, a social entrepreneurship organization on campus, my volunteering and interning experiences with non-profits locally and abroad, and my studies abroad, I have learned the power of giving people economic and financial agency. As a result, I hope to work in the international sector in order to create powerful, sustainable change to communities.

Why Belmont/Why Global Leadership Studies?

I chose Belmont because I loved the beauty of the campus, the friendly environment and its Christian values. Belmont is a place where driven, creative individuals thrive. I have always enjoyed learning about other cultures and learning languages and found the perfect fit for me at Belmont.

Global Leadership Studies (GLS) gives you the freedom to tailor your education to your interests and career goals by choosing classes from a wide range of subject areas. This major teaches you to lead within the context of different traditions, customs and ways of life.

If the major itself isn’t enough, the GLS advisors are some of the best at Belmont. They know your name and your story, and they genuinely care about you.

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class

My favorite experience was in our GLS Leadership Across Cultures class in Spring 2020. A major focus in this class was to stay up to date on current events. This meant that we began talking about COVID-19 very early on when news first came out of China. As it developed into a more serious and close-to-home issue, Dr. Barnard encouraged us to analyze responses and action plans made by global leaders.

Even though we had to go fully online as a result of COVID-19 and we really missed being in the classroom together, having this close-knit class to guide us through a time of major uncertainty was comforting. Our meetings online cheered us up and helped us feel connected at a time when the world seemed so turbulent.

Study Abroad

In 2019, I spent six months in Spain. For five of those months, I studied in Valladolid and stayed with a host family. After that, I spent my final month in Madrid, staying with friends I had met in a high school exchange program. Those six months were vivid and wonderful. I met so many friends from around the world, took tons of weekend trips and gained independence.

Even though I am fluent in Spanish and was already very familiar with Spanish customs, my time in Spain really pushed me outside of my comfort zone and expanded my heart and mind. It set me even more on fire for Global Leadership!

In May of 2020, I had plans to go on a Maymester to Costa Rica. Those plans changed when the trip was canceled due to COVID-19, but I was still able to take Maymester classes online. I completed 10 credit hours, including my Lab Science, Third Year Writing, and International Business. I am excited to travel to Costa Rica in the future with all of the knowledge I gained from those classes!

Internships

During the summer of 2020, I completed a virtual internship with a supply-chain company located in Madrid. Again, I was hoping to be in Madrid during those months, but I was unable to do so because of COVID-19. Even though I would have loved to be back in Spain, being a virtual intern gave me important global leadership skills I wouldn't have gained in-person.

I had to learn how to work with an international team across several time zones via Zoom, email, Microsoft Teams, and Dropbox. My role as an intern was to translate between English and Spanish and to complete research to help various companies and governments improve their supply chains in the wake of the global pandemic. It was an incredible experience, and I am thankful that GLS helped prepare me to adjust and adapt to the changing world around me.

Career Plans

I am unsure of exactly what my career will look like across the span of my life, but I have ideas and plans that really excite me. I know that God will open the doors that I am meant to walk through, and I am confident in all that Belmont has taught me over the years. Being a Global Leader can mean being the ambassador of a country, but it can also mean being an ambassador for unity and understanding no matter where you are or what you are doing. That is what I will carry with me from this program.

For my final semester at Belmont, I will be interning for two organizations. One focuses on empowering refugees, and the other is an online platform where I will do research and write about issues facing immigrant and refugee populations in the United States. I am excited to amplify voices from these communities.

After graduation, I hope to continue to work to empower immigrants and refugees. I would also like to pursue higher education within the next few years. Long-term, I think it would be fun to start something of my own, like a social enterprise that helps others. I hope to always foster creativity in my life and continue to serve others in any way that I can.

Campus Involvement

I have been a member of HSA (Hispanic Student Association) all four years of my college career. Through HSA, I have met great friends and I have been encouraged to explore my own identity and speak out about issues facing the Latino community.

I am also a Bruin Recruiter. It is such a blast and it makes me fall more and more in love with Belmont each Preview Day! Being a Bruin Recruiter constantly reminds me how glad I am to have chosen Belmont.

This year, I was inducted into Alpha Chi, which is a national honor society for students in the top 10%. It was such an honor to have my GLS advisor, Valerie Nichols, pin me at the ceremony.

Favorite Belmont Memory

Some of my all-time favorite Belmont memories come from living in Patton Hall freshman year. My roommate and I had so much fun going to “Rave in the Cave,” which was a 7-minute dance party before the start of quiet hours that happened every few weeks. I made so many friends in Patton that I still talk to all the time. Dorm life at Belmont, no matter what dorm you are in, will help you feel connected to the Bruin community! 

Why Belmont/ Why GLS? 

Anyone who has ever stepped foot on Belmont’s campus can tell you how immediate the feeling of belonging is. I have never experienced such a welcoming and accepting community than the one Belmont offers. It takes a village to support students as they enter college, and everyone--from the dining hall staff to those working in admissions to professors and your fellow classmates--actively works as a community to serve, challenge, and encourage every student to succeed.

I have always been interested in multiple areas of study. In high school, it was frustrating for me to be asked to "pick" just one area to study in college. Part of me wanted to study religion, as I found it fascinating. Part of me wanted to study social sciences such as philosophy and sociology because of my desire for understanding how people work in complex ways. Another part of me wanted to study international business, as this field would allow me to learn about other cultures while simultaneously teaching me about the art of intercultural communication. I did not want to feel like I was settling for a major that would not excite what I was passionate about.

Once I discovered the Global Leadership Studies (GLS) program at Belmont, I knew it was the right fit for me. I no longer had to choose one of my many passions because GLS allows me to engage all of them. Being in the GLS program for three years now, I can say with confidence that this major was the right choice for me because of how intentionally crafted it is. In every meeting, advising appointment, or interaction with my advisor I am always reassured that my education, my passions, my experiences, my well-being and my future are all cared for.

I know that this program might seem vague to some, but if anything, the fact that GLS does not have a clear and obvious job outcome excites me! I never want to limit myself and this program allows me to entertain big dreams while helping create the educational foundation I need to reach those goals. Overall, the GLS program at Belmont is home to me, as it has already helped to craft me into the person I have always wanted to be.

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class 

As a sophomore, I took Leadership Across Cultures with Dr. Mimi Barnard. This course is set up to engage students with real-life context of the hows and whys of leadership all over the world. We deconstructed different leadership styles, researched the sociology of different cultures and learned from the experiences of one another.

Our final assignment was to research and analyze an example of leadership, related to the material we had covered in class.This was such an exciting assignment to end our class on because it allowed each of us to dig into our passions, yet it challenged us to dissect what leadership looks like today. I ended up researching the treatment of mental health for those in the U.S. incarceration system, who the people currently fighting for this vulnerable population are, and how I can do my part with all that I have learned from GLS.

Career Plans

I want to advocate for those who suffer from mental illness.The end goal is to work within an organization that serves to be a voice for those affected by mental illness. I would love to be a part of a team that works strategically to pair psychological expertise with the real-life, lived experiences of those affected by a mental illness or disorder. In this way, I desire to act as a reminder to the world that those suffering from mental illness deserve respect, love, opportunity, and understanding.

Global Leadership Studies has helped me realize which of my many passions I can see myself working for the rest of my life. If it wasn’t for the dedicated professors, engaging course material, and willingness of everyone in the Interdisciplinary Studies and Global Education Department to support my passions, I would not have come to that realization.

Campus Involvement

During my time at Belmont thus far, I have served as a Plunge Trip Leader with Belmont Student Ministries, BOLD team leader with the Belmont Office of Leadership Development and program assistant for Belmont’s Interdisciplinary Studies and Global Education (ISGE).

Plunge is a trip for freshmen during their first fall break at Belmont, where different groups of students are led by upperclassmen and Belmont faculty to various locations within the United States to serve communities in new places.

BOLD is a leadership development program offered to all Belmont Students, with the opportunity to graduate with a certificate in leadership upon receiving your undergraduate degree.

ISGE houses Global Leadership Studies, Legal Studies, the Honors Program and more. Within the role of program assistant, I am able to support staff as they create the best possible environment for ISGE Students.

Favorite Belmont Memory 

Move-in day my freshman year will forever be one of my favorite Belmont memories. I will never forget the joy I saw in the student volunteers as my parents and I drove up. These upperclassmen students were cheering for me, helping me take all of my things into my dorm (I barely lifted a finger) and explaining how excited they were to welcome me into the Belmont family. I was able to be a part of this special crew the very next year and help create that experience for the freshman who came after me.

Why Belmont/ Why GLS?

As soon as I walked onto Belmont’s campus, I knew that it was the school for me. It had everything I was looking for--a stunning campus, close-knit community, more intimate class sizes and it is located in a vibrant city with many opportunities.

I was initially undecided on a major for my first year and a half at Belmont, and after much consideration I decided on a double major in Economics and Global Leadership Studies. I ended up choosing Global Leadership as one of my majors due to the well-rounded education it offers. I am able to take different classes across multiple fields of study that I'm interested in and see how they all intersect. 

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class

My favorite experience was during my Intro to GLS class. For our final project we had to contact a leader of our choice and interview them. Initially, I was pretty nervous about this portion of the project, but it wound up being my favorite part of the entire class as it forced me to get out of my comfort zone. It was also a great real life experience that allowed us to practice interview skills and learn from prominent leaders in many different areas.

Study Abroad 

I have been lucky enough to get to go on three short-term study abroad programs with Belmont. I went on a Maymester to Scotland after my freshman year, where I got to study sport history and sport psychology. After my sophomore year, I went on two back-to-back short-term study abroad programs. The first went to France, Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The second went to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Throughout all of these programs, I gained so many lifelong memories and friendships. The experiences I had studying abroad were more than I could have ever dreamed of! 

Career Plans

After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in International Hospitality Management. I want to work for a leading hotel company where I can make an impact on a person’s overall travel experience and be the one that makes their trip and overall experience something they will always remember. Eventually, I would love to open my own boutique hotel, where people from all areas of the world can visit and make connections with one another. 

Campus Involvement 

I am a member of the Belmont Women’s Tennis Team. Being a part of the tennis team has provided me with other leadership opportunities such as being a representative for the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee, where we make decisions that enhance the student-athlete experience and work to form connections between the University and community. Through my GLS studies, I have been able to be a better leader on and off the court. 

Favorite Belmont Memory 

My favorite Belmont memory was during my freshman year when Belmont hosted the 2018 Davis Cup tennis tournament.The Curb arena was transformed with a tennis court installed on top of the basketball court. It was so exciting to have some of the top players in the sport on our campus, and even better when we got to watch USA beat Belgium!

Why Belmont/ Why Global Leadership Studies? 

I chose Belmont because its academic and artistic values align directly with mine. The liberal arts approach allows me to study exactly what I’m passionate about — no matter how broad my interests! This is why GLS is the perfect fit for me. I’ve built my degree around my specific passions in pursuit of our program’s question, “What world problem do you want to solve?” Our program has completely transformed the way I view the world and has set me on a solid path personally, academically and professionally.

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class

In Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel’s Intro to Global Leadership Studies class, I was introduced to the book Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. This book exposed me to both the horrors of human trafficking and our world’s pressing need for international social workers. Dr. Wayne Barnard spoke to our class about his first-hand involvement with International Justice Mission, ultimately inspiring me to change the trajectory of my education and career path entirely. I now have a social justice minor and plan to graduate a year early in pursuit of an MSW degree in international social work, all thanks to this class and these wonderful professors!

Career Plans

After graduating, I plan to pursue a Masters of Social Work with an emphasis in Global Social Work Practice. I also hope to volunteer with the Peace Corps as part of my field placement, preparing me for a career in anti-human trafficking and refugee crisis management efforts.

Campus Involvement

Thanks to the GLS program’s flexibility, I have the opportunity to minor in theatre and remain active in the Arts scene! I regularly stage manage with the theatre department and am a member of the national theatre honors society, Alpha Psi Omega. I am also involved with the United Nations Association, Belmont’s Office of Leadership Development, and Belmont’s International Justice Mission chapter. I also serve as a Towering Traditions leader, allowing me to mentor incoming students and help them find their places at Belmont!

Favorite Belmont Memory

During the Spring 2020 semester, all Belmont operations moved online due to COVID-19, including Towering Traditions and other student organizations. Although we could have quit the program altogether, T.T. pressed on in preparation for the fall semester. All through quarantine, Orientation Council and T.T. leaders worked incessantly to take care of one another while preparing for the incoming class of 2024. I never thought we could cultivate such meaningful connections virtually, but the community we created around such a challenging circumstance was unassailable. I hold my T.T. experience so dear and cherish these relationships so deeply!

Why Belmont/ Why Global Leadership Studies?

I vividly remember being in Nashville for a tour at Vanderbilt, and my mom caught a glimpse of Belmont, leading us down a Google rabbit hole. Four years later, I am a senior at Belmont and could not imagine spending my undergraduate academic career anywhere else.

When it came to choosing Global Leadership Studies (GLS), I kind of fell into it. I came in as a Political Science major, only to change my mind during orientation. I found myself in Dr. Mimi Barnard’s office talking about my passions and vision for the future.

I was sold on GLS the minute Dr. Barnard told me that she created this major for me and others like me. In that moment I truly felt seen and heard, which immediately sold me on the major. I have since picked up minors in both Social Justice and Photography, but my love for GLS has never wavered. 

Study Abroad 

My first study abroad experience was spending the month of May in Haiti and the Dominican Republic after my freshman year. Looking back, I am proud of myself for studying abroad so early, despite being one of the youngest students there. That month only reinforced how helping can sometimes hurt, and how we as global citizens have a responsibility to be learners rather than saviors. 

My second study abroad experience was spending the fall of my junior year in Copenhagen, Denmark. My course program was Prostitution and The Sex Trade in Europe. This was hands-down the most life-changing experience I have had in college. I experienced the world at an entirely new level, learning about things that were tailored to my specific interests. 

Career Plans

As of right now, my passion for social justice has me stuck between pursuing law or social work. I am currently researching both masters programs and law schools in Chicago, Illinois. My plan is to spend a year in Chicago working at a non-profit, in hopes of having a clearer idea of what my next steps will be at the end of that year. 

I can see myself working internationally, as I know I can feel at home outside of the United States. I find beauty in not having all of the answers as a 21-year-old woman, and I am choosing to lean into that for the next season of my life. No matter what I end up doing, I know that I have been equipped with an expansive toolbox to take on the world.

Favorite Belmont Memory

If I had to pick a favorite memory from my time at Belmont it would be a simple one. I was sitting on a blanket on the historic lawn with the sun beating down on my face. I remember a feeling of relief and happiness wash over me while I was breathing in the fresh cut grass and blooming tulips. It was at that moment that I knew I had made the right decision in coming to Belmont. I felt at peace, which is something that takes my anxious heart a lot to come around to. Something about Belmont’s campus feels like a breath of fresh air, and that is my favorite thing.

Why Belmont/Why Global Leadership Studies?

The first time I toured Belmont, the Global Leadership Studies (GLS) program was just being born. My mother had convinced me to tour Belmont, and I was honestly not sure about going there. I completely changed my mind when I sat down and talked to Dr. Mimi Barnard. She asked me, “What world problem do you want to solve?” It’s almost as if I was waiting to be asked that question. That is when I knew the GLS program at Belmont is where I was supposed to be.

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class

In my Leadership Across Cultures course, I had the opportunity to research cultures and customs around the world.The class was held in a format similar to that of a Master’s course.This allowed for open and thoughtful discussion between my classmates and myself. I loved having the opportunity to build relationships with my fellow GLS majors through that course.

Career Plans

I want to go into the field of economic and community development, whether that be domestic or abroad. I am passionate about providing small businesses with marketing skills and education in order to create sustainable development. Regardless of where I work or how far up the leadership chain I am, I want to be working hands on with the community I am serving and GLS allows me to reach that goal.

Campus Involvement

Belmont has many opportunities to get involved on campus. I have been a Resident Assistant, a Spiritual Life Assistant, and a Towering Traditions leader. I have been involved in organizations such as HerCampus and International Justice Mission.

I have also participated in Up Til Dawn, one of my favorite events on campus that raises money for St. Jude. Lastly, I am a part of Greek life through our chapter of Phi Mu where I have served on the Chaplain Committee, performed in Greek Sing and am currently the Assistant to Vice Presidents.

Favorite Belmont Memory

My favorite Belmont memory is definitely being a part of Greek Sing. It is so fun to come together with all of Greek life to raise $25,000 for the kids! I look forward to Greek Sing taking over my schedule every year. I love spending multiple days a week dancing, singing and rapping with all of my best friends. Every sorority and fraternity pours their heart and soul into their theme and performance, all for the sake of something bigger than themselves.Things like this are what makes the Belmont community so special!

Why Belmont/Why Global Leadership Studies? 

I chose Belmont when I was 11 because I wanted to pursue a career as a Music Therapist. After living abroad for a year before college, I felt my heart being pulled towards justice and international relations. Global Leadership Studies (GLS) was the perfect choice for my goals and has allowed me to remain focused on those goals while also developing new ones throughout my college career. 

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class? 

My freshman year we visited Thistle Farms to observe the sustainability of that organization and their mission and reach here in Nashville.Their practice was something that I want to accomplish at some point in my career, and it was incredibly inspiring to hear from the women and learn more about the business. 

Study Abroad 

I studied abroad in the Dominican Republic, where we studied and shadowed several nonprofits and learned more about racial injustice and prostitution in the DR. It was an incredible experience and really impacted the rest of my college career. 

Internship 

I interned in Dallas with Imani Collective, an organization tailored around home goods made by women in Kenya and empowering communities domestically and abroad. It was an absolutely amazing experience and I am so thankful for the knowledge I gained from that opportunity. 

Career Plans

My next step is to pursue graduate school, where I plan to study Criminology and Criminal Justice. Following that, I hope to enter into Law School. My hopes are to enter into the criminal justice and nonprofit side of law and be able to represent prostitutes and sexual exploitation victims legally and systemically. This is a huge passion of mine, so I am really looking forward to the next step and thankful for all that GLS has prepared me for. 

Campus Involvement 

I have had the privilege of being a member and serving on the Executive Board of Kappa Alpha Theta, a sorority here at Belmont. I have also served as a Towering Traditions leader, welcoming Belmont freshman into the Belmont experience. Additionally, I am a Bruin Recruiter and Tour Guide for the admissions department here at Belmont. 

Favorite Belmont Memory 

It is difficult and a bit nostalgic to choose just one favorite memory here at Belmont because I feel like I have a million, but one of my favorite memories would have to be late nights walking around campus, driving around Nashville or getting ice cream on 12 South with my friends.

I hope those are the nights I never forget, as they are so simple, but have left such a lasting impact on who I am now. I am most thankful to Belmont for the people it has given me because there is absolutely nothing quite like the Belmont community and the fierce love it will grant you. 

Why Belmont/ Why Global Leadership Studies?

From the moment I stepped onto campus for the first time, Belmont University has felt like home. From the faculty and staff to the smiling faces of students across campus, the true magic of Belmont is its undeniable sense of community.

I chose GLS because of the flexibility of the program to help you discover your passions. With the guidance and support of my wonderful advisors and professors, GLS has opened my eyes to countless opportunities to serve my community, both here in Nashville and around the world.

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class

In my Introduction to Global Leadership Studies class, my favorite GLS experience was an interview we had to do as a part of our final assignment. Tasked with interviewing an influential leader in our lives, it was so insightful learning from the incredible leaders everyone in our class had chosen to interview.

Study Abroad

I spent the summer of a lifetime in Belfast, Northern Ireland at Queen’s University Belfast studying conflict transformation and social justice. Studying abroad was one of the best decisions that I have ever made, as this summer taught me more than I could ever say about myself and the world around me.

Career Plans

I have always wanted a career focused on serving the community. I am passionate about hearing people’s stories and have always enjoyed advocating for others.

Through my studies both at Belmont and in Belfast, GLS has really helped me shape these passions into a more direct career path. I now want to go to law school to help others find their voice in the midst of conflict and oppression. After law school, I hope to serve others in their fight for justice and peace by partnering with a non-profit or justice and missions organization.

Campus Involvement

As I am looking toward law school, I love spending my days in the courtroom with the Belmont Mock Trial Team. In addition to being an attorney on the team, I serve as the Mock Trial Representative for the Belmont Pre-Law Society. I am also very involved in campus ministries, serving on the leadership team for the Baptist Collegiate Ministries and as a Spiritual Life Assistant for the freshmen in Wright Hall.

Favorite Belmont Memory

My favorite Belmont memory was our regional Mock Trial competition in Louisville, Kentucky last year. After months of hard work in the courtroom and a long weekend competing against teams from across the south, Belmont earned the opportunity to advance to the next level of the national competition, and I was named one of the All-Region attorneys.

It was incredible to see just how much my teammates and I had grown over the course of the season, as we got to see our hard work pay off. This special moment with my team is one that I will never forget, because in that moment I knew I was exactly where I am supposed to be.

Why Belmont/ Why Global Leadership Studies? 

I chose Belmont because it encompasses two of my biggest passions, the arts and an encouraging Christian community. After committing to Belmont, I accepted a short-term internship in Ukraine before coming to college.There, I discovered my passion for cultivating cross-cultural relationships and more specifically, my love for advocating for orphan justice on a global scale.

The GLS program is such a tight knit community that never fails to make me feel seen and cared for in ways that go far beyond what is expected of a university program. My advisor, Valerie Nichols, has become a steady mentor in my life along with several of the upperclassmen in our program, who always remind me how valued I am and how supported I am as I continue my education at Belmont. I am honored to be a part of the GLS family. 

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class

During our Introduction to Global Leadership Studies course, we had the opportunity to visit Thistle Farms and see firsthand what it looks like to empower women who have survived abuse by providing them with jobs and an encouraging community. This “field trip” not only bonded me closer to my classmates, but also taught me some of the practical skills I would need to start and maintain a non-profit organization in the future. 

Career Plans

While I am not entirely sure what this will look like as a career, I know that I want my future to be centered around advocating for orphan justice and providing trauma counseling for kids who have experienced trauma, neglect or abuse. I am also passionate about empowering women who are at risk of losing their children due to lack of financial resources by providing them with jobs and affordable childcare. Whether these endeavors take me overseas or lead me to serve right here in Nashville, GLS is equipping me to achieve any one, or all of these goals. 

Campus Involvement

Belmont offers so many great ways to get plugged into our community! I had the opportunity to be a Towering Traditions leader this year, and growing closer to my fellow leaders along with the incoming freshmen was an incredible experience. I have also loved being a part of on-campus groups like the United Nations Association and Reformed University Ministries. I am also involved with Greek Life, where I am a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. 

Favorite Belmont Memory

Some of my most memorable Belmont experiences were snowy nights freshman year. As soon as it started to snow, freshmen from every dorm ran outside in our pajamas, no matter how late it was, and we all gathered on the lawn to play in the snow. Some students brought speakers and played fun music, and we played tag in the snow with complete strangers. Those were some of the most care-free, enjoyable moments I have experienced in college so far. 

Why Belmont/ Why Global Leadership Studies?

I chose Belmont because of the incredible welcoming spirit and the overwhelming feeling of being wanted that I experienced when I first arrived on campus for a Preview Day my junior year of high school. I was not sure what Belmont could offer me, but I knew that every person on this campus was passionate about helping me take my next steps in life.

I found out about the Global Leadership Studies (GLS) major through my admissions counselor, and immediately knew that it would be the perfect choice for me. I want to work in the missions field after graduation, and GLS stands as a great beginning to put me on an experienced path.

The GLS program at Belmont is unique, as it is almost impossible to find anything relatively close at other universities. I love the interdisciplinary aspect of GLS because I am able to take classes from every department and get a taste for what I want to study. Additionally, the opportunity to travel abroad and actually experience the things that I am learning about is unmatched. GLS has truly exceeded any expectations I could have possibly held.

Favorite Experience in a Global Leadership Studies Class

In our Introduction to GLS course, we took a field trip to a non-profit in Nashville called Thistle Farms. Thistle Farms works with getting women off the street and into a stable environment, giving them a home, a support system and a job until they get back on their feet. Having the opportunity to see the place where they work and hear from a woman and her daughter who had experienced the ins and outs of the program was a kind of awakening I had not expected. I was heartbroken for the reality of the situation these women are escaping from, but I was also filled with a mix of joy and hope that there are programs such as Thistle Farms working to serve their community in this way.

Study Abroad

In the summer of 2019, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Belfast, Northern Ireland at Queen’s University Belfast as a part of the Global Leadership and Conflict Transformation program. Going into the month abroad, I honestly was not as well versed in Northern Ireland history as I could have been, but I was astounded by the amount that I was able to learn during my time there.

Being someone who is extremely focused on the ways in which leaders respond to conflict and the ways societies respond to their leaders, I was constantly engaged. I learned how to address problems with failure in conflict situations, the ways conflict can change from physical to political and what it looks like when leadership struggles to find the right path to peace.

Career Plans

My goal in the future is to be an in-country liaison for a company or non-profit --companies such as the International Missions Board or Compassion International. I would ultimately love to live full-time in another country and work with churches, NGOs, and nonprofits based in the US who are wanting to send individuals and groups to serve the area I am a part of.

I would be the one telling them what kind of service we need and helping make sure that those who are coming in are doing more to help than harm. I am incredibly passionate about helpful versus harmful missions, making sure that leaders and servants are meeting people where they are. It is on the leader/server to see the need and to help rather than hinder individuals from future personal and community growth or development.

This is also where my minor in Spanish and my Honors project play a huge part in my preparation as well. If I were to stay domestically in the United States, I would love to serve as a Missions Coordinator for a church, doing this work on the domestic side.

Campus Involvement

I am a member of the Greek life community as a part of Kappa Alpha Theta, serving on the digital media committee and new member committee, as well as participating in Greek Sing. I also served as a Towering Traditions leader for the freshman orientation. I am also a part of the Honors Program.

Favorite Belmont Memory

One of my favorite Belmont memories was serving as a part of Towering Traditions and Welcome Week for the fall of 2019! Being able to pour into the incoming freshman and transfer students allowed me to make their transition to Belmont a little bit easier.

I will always say that I am fully convinced the Kingdom of God has come to earth by the way of the TT community. Whether it’s giving up the last week and a half before school starts to wearing crazy costumes, being vulnerable with your team, waking up at 4:30 am to welcome new students, or spending four days pouring out everything you have into one another and these new students, the TT community is the Kingdom on this side of heaven.

Being uplifted in so many ways, I have seen this part of Belmont as a beautiful community. Plus, being a part of TT allowed me to meet all of the new GLS students and I was so excited to see how much the program is growing! It is amazing to watch our program experience so much growth, filling up with students who are going to take on the world and change it for the better!