History has always been a deep-rooted passion of mine. I love learning about it, and I love seeing people’s faces light up when they connect the dots and understand how one event led to another. 

Why did you switch your major to history?

My original major was something I used to do as a hobby, and I realized it wasn’t something I wanted to pursue professionally. History has always interested me, and I realized it was something I wanted to pursue as a career. I’ve also always loved teaching and helping people understand things they might not have understood before. 

What do you plan on doing with your degree?

I want to be a high school history teacher, hopefully teaching subjects like world history and AP U.S history. I’ve always loved teaching, and I enjoy explaining things to people and seeing their faces light up when they connect the dots between why something happened and what happened as a result. It’s like dominoes, but with real life. I'd also like to help people better understand what certain words mean, especially in their historical context, so they can be better educated.

Why did you choose VCU?

There are a couple of main reasons. My mom has a close friend who moved to Richmond, and her friend's daughter attended VCU, so my family already had a connection to the area. It’s also just so beautiful here. Even looking out the library windows, I love seeing the different kinds of architecture. There are older buildings alongside newer, more modern ones, and the contrast is really interesting. VCU and the areas around here also have so many cool historical sites to explore. It’s an incredible place for someone interested in history. 

What historical figure would you like to spend an hour with, and why?

Alan Turing, he’s commonly known as the father of computer science. During World War II, he helped the Allied forces decode German military communications. His contributions weren’t fully acknowledged at the time because much of his work remained secret after the war. He was later prosecuted for being gay and forced to undergo chemical castration to avoid going to prison. He got very sick and died before the full significance of his work was widely recognized. Queen Elizabeth II eventually did grant him a posthumous pardon. I’m a big fan of Alan Turing, and I’d love to take him around Richmond and take him to experience some of the things connected to queer history.

What do you love about Richmond?

I love how beautiful Richmond is and how much history there is to explore. There are so many museums and historical sites. I love living in a city where there is so much to discover. I also like finding a community here. Richmond feels like a community-oriented place, with events happening throughout the city. It’s been great getting to experience that while learning more about the area.