Tell us a little bit about the Knight-Hennessy and what inspired you to apply.
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program is geared towards students who are passionate about global change-making and leadership, all with a civic heart. I felt that the mission of this scholarship resonated deeply with my own values and passions. I was applying for Stanford's joint MD-PhD program (also known as the MSTP), and while that track is already fully funded, I felt that it would be invaluable to find a tight-knit community of like-minded people who are passionate about justice, equity, and change-making in a broader Stanford community that is mostly so different from Wellesley. If I had surrounded myself with the Knight-Hennessy community, I believed, I would be taking a part of the Wellesley spirit with me.

How did you navigate the process, especially as Wellesley's first Knight-Hennessy scholar? What advice do you have for Wellesley students forging their own path, like you did?
I think gathering courage was one of the most difficult aspects of applying. Something about the lack of precedent instilled fear in me – but as many pioneers from Wellesley have taught me, courage is something we foster by believing that we can. So, I believed deeply in myself and embraced the facets of my identity that aligned with the values that the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship sought. Because of the shared mission I had with Knight-Hennessy, my application came rather naturally. By talking about the work I had done, such as my nonprofit work and global mission, I realized that there was so much to my story that aligned with the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship even without trying to fit a particular mold. I'd suggest other students think deeply about their values – the Knight-Hennessy Program is very much a value-driven community, just like Wellesley – and share their global mission. Be authentic to your own values, and don't be afraid to be a little silly for sharing the fun facts about yourself.

How did your time at Wellesley shape your interests, or encourage you along this path? Your professors? Career Education?
This is going to be a long response because there are so many facets of Wellesley that have shaped me into who I am today. I contend, even, that my scholarship was a direct byproduct of Wellesley's mission and vision that had become a part of my identity.
I loved Wellesley. I had professors who believed in me in ways that nobody had before – Prof. Jeremy Wilmer, for instance, provided me with more opportunities to showcase my strengths than I thought I deserved at the time, enabling me to truly shine in my research endeavors. He put me in touch with other scientists in the Boston Area, and I grew in ways I didn't know I could. Professors Casey Pattanayak and Deborah Bauer similarly became scientific mentors to me in ways I had never experienced in the past and helped me find confidence and excitement in the things I pursued. I had shied away from scientific inquiry before Wellesley because of the disempowering spaces I had been a part of; the science faculty at Wellesley really dismantled that belief and helped me combine my passion for social justice with scientific questions. 

Most importantly, I think Wellesley's most inspiring facet was its student leaders. I was constantly surrounded by changemakers. People were starting nonprofits, partaking in activism, conversing about social justice, and somehow did it all with such genuine authenticity that I could not help but crave to join the effort. Most of the work I have done during or after Wellesley was shaped by this inspiration from my peers: to help shape the world to be a more equitable place for the most vulnerable and disenfranchised.

I also fondly remember the number of times I had gone to Kate Dailinger at Career Education to cry tenderly about my fears, uncertainty, and lack of confidence. This fear, I think, is very common for students who have historically been a minority in any given community: fear of a path less trod. She embraced me in her own way, with incredible support and warmth, and stood by me and rejoiced with me. She reviewed applications with me, starting from my time applying for the Goldwater Scholarship, all the way until the end of the Knight Hennessy interviews. She reminded me that I could always call her during the interview day if I ever felt alone or anxious. I think that was such a generous offer. She also danced in her kitchen when the good news came.

What did you learn or gain from going through the application process?
I was extremely nervous. I was genuinely shocked when they called me for an interview, as I had no clue why I had been a good candidate at the time. Once I got my foot in the door – and went to the in-person interview that year – I wanted to make sure to practice and put my best foot forward. I called Kate and friends to practice over and over again, crafting wording that mirrors my full identity and mission. I think that must have helped. I also felt that some portions of the interview were difficult to practice for – such as the group interview; in those moments, focusing on being my full, authentic self and a good listener carried me a long way. Through that process, I knew I was not alone. I had scores of friends, family, and "Kate"s in my life I asked to listen for feedback. Feedback was hard because sometimes it felt personal, but knowing that the individuals who were speaking with me genuinely cared about me and my success helped me gather more courage to push onward.

What would you say to encourage your Wellesley sibs to apply? Do you have any advice for them?
First, there are not a whole lot of Historically Women's College graduates in the community. Not only so, I know that Wellesley uniquely fits the mission of the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship—global leadership, empowerment, and action—in a way incredibly special to our community. As such, I want to see more Wellesley students in the Knight-Hennessy community to help push the missions that we collectively share. It is also hard to be one of the very few individuals intimately familiar with pronouns, a culture of inclusivity, and gender-related empowerment in this community, and I would love for more Wellesley students to join me in my effort to further inclusion here at Stanford.

What excites you about this opportunity?
I feel that I have a team of supporters, peers, and cheerleaders I would not have otherwise had as I continue my MD-PhD degree for the next seven years. Not only so, I am granted a platform to share work in advocacy in a structured way: I am so excited to continue working with communities in Kenya for science education through my KHeystone Project, a seminal effort for all scholars to engage in leadership in their own unique ways. I am also nourished by talks with invited speakers who have pursued work serving the most vulnerable people across the world, which broadens my perspectives.