As an American attending McGill University, I had a higher education experience that was different from many of my high school peers. Even though Montreal was a mere 350 kilometers from home, attending McGill allowed me to become a strong and independent young adult who could think critically. I lived in the upper residences and was pushed out of my suburban upstate New York comfort zone by my fellow Molson Hall residents, several of whom became lifelong friends.
My coursework at McGill (I was a Psychology major with a double minor in International Relations and Cultural Studies) provided context and education far beyond what I was taught in high school. At McGill, I learned to ask "why?" and to build a framework for change. Foundational theories from my psychology coursework have allowed me to successfully examine human motivation and support sustainable change for states and communities.
A few years after graduation, I obtained a Master of Science in Organizational Development, with a concentration in Community Organizing. I currently work for the University of New England's Center for Excellence in Public Health. For the past decade of my career, I have supported communities across Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana and New Hampshire and helped people lead healthier and safer lives. In particular, I have worked in Colorado and Maine to support community education about retail/adult-use cannabis. My time at McGill fostered an inquisitive mind and helped me build a commitment to creating change.