People of Pathways

How would you describe your public service journey at UVA?

As someone who was deeply involved in my local New Orleans community at home, I came to UVA wanting to immerse myself in the Charlottesville community and find ways to give back. In the very beginning, it was difficult to orient myself because there was such a stark difference/line between locals and UVA students. I looked into opportunities with Madison House but with the plethora of students applying to those volunteer opportunities, I wanted to go my own route and find something to do that I was truly passionate about. I ended up connecting with a doctor at UVA Health that had been involved with similar service opportunities as myself in New Orleans. We discussed the issue of human trafficking in Albemarle County and Central Virginia as a whole. After doing some research, I realized that Virginia received thousands of trafficking tips annually and did not have the proper stabilization resources for trafficking victims specifically, as well as lacked other resource necessities. As a result, we decided that Central Virginia needed an emergency stabilization shelter for trafficking victims, and that we wanted to expand the Eden Centers branch from New Orleans into Charlottesville.

What is your favorite part about working with the communities you serve?

Being able to serve my local community allows me to form deeper and more meaningful connections with the people and organizations in the Albemarle/Charlottesville area. As someone from out of state, I wanted to integrate myself beyond just the UVA community. I feel like there is a noticeable disconnect between students and local residents, so I was drawn to work that helps bridge that gap and fosters stronger relationships between UVA and Albemarle.

Working in the local community is especially fulfilling because changes become visible and tangible, seeing the results of your actions directly in the lives of the people you serve. In contrast, working with larger organizations can sometimes feel distant, as you are far removed from the individuals affected by your efforts. Local volunteerism offers immediacy and accountability, and witnessing positive change firsthand is deeply motivating. That direct connection and sense of shared progress is the most rewarding part of the work and what continually inspires me to stay engaged and committed.

4. How do you balance volunteering, leadership, and service, whilst still being a UVA student?

I think with UVA’s rigorous curricula, it is definitely important to prioritize finding specific times during each day dedicated to getting work done outside of class. However, I think many UVA students have the mindset that they need to spend all day in the library or finishing work. For me, it is important to find time to do things I’m passionate about and work towards tangible goals. Additionally, taking a break from my studies to work on something I’m passionate about helps keep me grounded and prioritize other things in my life besides my education.

My best advice for trying to juggle multiple aspects of life would be to prioritize quality over quantity. During meetings or while working, it is best to be fully present rather than overcommit to something you cannot handle. My team at Eden Centers is adaptable and always willing to help out more when others have too much on their plate. It is important to work as a team and spend your time intentionally. I’ve found that planning ahead with time blocking and setting priorities for the day has been most helpful for me thus far. It is very important to maintain balance in your life and avoid taking on too much, risking burnout. Nonprofit leadership has become a compliment to my academics, not a distraction. I genuinely enjoy the work that I do and appreciate the time I spend working towards goals.

5. What inspired your major and how are you using that inspiration in how you do service now?

I went into college really not knowing what I wanted to do. My first semester at UVA I took classes in many disciplines to see what worked with me and what didn’t. I was in bio and psych classes, writing classes, economics and more – so I was all over the place. I really prioritized just taking as many different classes as possible and trying new things to figure out what realms I was really interested in. I always had an interest in law, which started in high school where I did a lot of research related to juvenile justice issues. After joining UJC at UVA, I started to consider the law path more seriously and decided I was prelaw my second year. For my major, I’d always wanted to apply to Batten because of my interest in policy as well as the resources that Batten offers. I also took the prerequisites for other majors/schools just in case I wanted to apply. In the end, I ended up only applying to Batten, as it was the one I was most interested in. For my psychology major, I found that I really just love the topic and wanted to take as many classes as I could fit in this area. As I took more courses, I realized I was able to complete the major if I kept the same pace, so I decided that’s what I’d do.

With service, I feel like I take a similar stance in that I both am passionate about what I’m doing and also work hard to achieve real-world goals. Studying public policy and psychology has shaped the way I approach service by encouraging me to think both at the individual and systemic levels. Service is not just about showing up but about being intentional, informed, and outcome-driven. Passion for a topic alone is not enough – it is also imperative to put in the work and dive deep into the outcomes you want to achieve. I strive to combine passion with preparation so that my work contributes to meaningful, sustainable impact both now and in the future.

What advice do you have for those interested in public service?

I would say to think outside the box and take a chance. There are endless opportunities in Charlottesville and beyond for public service. If there’s not something through UVA that you are passionate about, make connections and branch out to find something that drives you to create change. If you see a need and nothing currently addressing it, don’t be afraid to be the one to take initiative. Chances are that someone else also sees the problem and will work with you. I’d tell someone to be creative and confident in whichever realm of public service they wish to pursue, and to not let institutional, logistical, or perceived boundaries stop them from taking a chance and getting involved.

What was the story behind this amazing non-profit organization and what is your vision for it in
the future?

I’ve always been very service-oriented and started volunteering at the local Eden House for human trafficking victims in high school. While working there, I learned just how complex the recovery process and the range of resources needed for survivors truly are. Human trafficking is deeply complex, emotionally and physically devastating, and rarely limited to a single moment of harm. It is a prolonged trauma that affects every aspect of a survivor’s life. Trafficking is also far more prevalent than most people realize and often occurs in plain sight. Especially in New Orleans, where tourism, economic inequality, and transient populations intersect, trafficking can easily go unnoticed or be normalized, making awareness and community-based intervention even more critical.

Moving to Virginia, I took initiative to learn about the local community and how to get involved. As I touched on before, I connected with Dr. Mae Furr, who was also involved in Eden House NOLA previously. I became the intern for the Charlottesville-Albemarle HT Task Force and learned from advocates across fields about the trafficking situation in Virginia. The issue was much more prominent than I’d expected, and after some research, we realized that Virginia was still missing key resources for survivors. As a result, Dr. Mae Furr, Dr. Jennifer Andrews, and I decided to expand Eden Centers to create a Charlottesville branch, as there was an immediate need for change. The initial process, planning, and paperwork took months, but we finally had our first event in November of 2025, raising about $17,000. We decided that the largest need in Central Virginia is an emergency stabilization, 90 day shelter, for survivors, and we are currently in the process of planning our next steps. In the future, I envision Eden Centers as a resource for survivors in a multitude of realms. I also envision it as a template for future projects or expansions in survivor resources, spreading the word and creating change where it is most needed.

Which spot on Grounds is your favorite? 

My favorite spot on Grounds is inside the Rotunda – specifically in the study rooms upstairs. I find it very peaceful to get work done, study, or be with friends. When I need a break, I can just walk out to the Lawn to get fresh air and just appreciate being at UVA.