Hi, I’m Emma! I’m a third-year Applied Education student with a strong passion for both teaching and healthcare. I’m especially interested in how education connects with clinical research and nursing. Whether I’m mentoring students, designing educational content, or exploring data-driven solutions, I’m committed to making a meaningful impact. I’m also an active member of my community—both at NC State and back home. On campus, I serve as a student wellness educator, a member services supervisor, and an ambassador for the College of Education, where I help support and guide prospective students. At home, I stay involved through volunteer work, mentoring, and community-based education initiatives. Building connections and giving back is a core part of who I am.

Hometown

Cary, NC

Major(s)

Middle School Science Education, Applied Learning Design and Technology Education

Minor(s)

Psychology

Clubs, organizations & involvement

NCSU Campus Wellness and Recreation Facility Raleigh, NC Member Services Supervisor March 2025- Present Lead a team to ensure smooth guest entry and excellent customer service. Give tours of the facility to prospective students and their parents and various external organizations and student groups. Drive membership sales by engaging potential members, explaining benefits, and processing sign-ups, while assisting patrons with inquiries to enhance their overall experience. Member Services Entrance Assistant September 2024- Present Provide customer service to members and guests of the Wellness and Recreation Center which includes: answering general questions about programs and locations, assisting with member concerns and complaints, giving facility tours, etc Recognized as Employee of the Month (January 2025) for outstanding performance and dedication to the team. NCSU College of Education Raleigh, NC Leadership Institute of Future Teachers (LIFT) Mentor April 2025- May 2025 Mentorship & Student Engagement: Building meaningful connections with student participants and guiding them through their educational experience by sharing my passion for teaching and providing daily mentorship. Program Support & Supervision: Living on-site in the residence hall and providing 24​/​7 supervision, ensuring students’ safety, well-being, and active participation in all program activities. Leadership & Development: Leading nightly wrap-up sessions, helping students reflect on their experiences, and developing leadership skills through structured feedback and team collaboration. Activity Planning & Coordination: Organizing and implementing engaging student activities during leisure time, fostering a sense of community and supporting personal growth in a relaxed setting. Ruffalo Noel Levitz Raleigh, NC Engagement Ambassador May 2024- July 2024 Raised $1,280 for scholarships and student support through phone solicitations to alumni, parents, and donors. Developed strong communication, negotiation, and rapport-building skills, ensuring a positive donor experience.

Describe your college experience

My transition to college was anything but smooth—and that’s what made it meaningful. I switched majors early on, had to rebuild my friend group from scratch, navigated tough roommate situations, and realized that college academics were a whole different game. I had to learn how to actually be a student—how to study with intention, manage my time, and advocate for myself when things felt overwhelming. But through all of that, I’ve grown into someone I’m proud of. I found a major I love, connected with people who genuinely support me, and figured out how to balance being involved on campus while still taking care of myself. College has challenged me in every way, but it’s also helped me realize how resilient and capable I really am.

Tip for future students

🏠 Move-In & Dorm Life Bring more hangers than you think. You’ll rack up free t-shirts during orientation and Week 1. The tiny drawers won’t cut it. 2–3 sets of sheets minimum. Laundry schedules vary. If you want to nap during wash day, fresh sheets are a blessing. (Boys, this means weekly laundry.) Extra lighting is a must. Dorm rooms are often dim, so bring a desk lamp and safe string or LED lights—check dorm regulations first! Blankets & pillows = sleepover survival. Sylly Week = new friends crashing everywhere. You’ll want extras. TP and tissues you like. The school provides sad, 1-ply tissue-paper that’ll destroy your nose and soul. BYO-comfort. A fan. No explanation. Just bring one. 🍽️ Food & Dining Halls Save your money. Avoid eating out constantly on Hillsborough—your dining dollars and bank account will thank you. Use your parents' money for food. (Sorry, Mom.) Bring dry, non-perishable snacks you actually like: granola bars, oatmeal, crackers, PB, applesauce, tuna packets. Stay hydrated. Keep a metal water bottle in the fridge filled with ice from the dining hall. It hits different when the humidity is 90%. ✏️ School Supplies & Subscriptions Textbooks? Wait. Don’t buy anything until after the first week. You might drop the class, or your professor may hand out materials. Buy used or rent. Amazon ＞ campus bookstore. Annotated copies from past students can be gold. Use your student email for discounts on Amazon, Spotify, etc. (Khan Academy links too—sign in with Google!) What to Buy: Durable notebooks (that survive backpacks and 1am library flinging... looking at you, Charles) Mechanical pencils, pens, highlighters Whiteboard calendar for deadlines A sturdy backpack (my North Face has lasted since 5th grade) A solid laptop Index cards & sticky notes Note-Taking Tips: STEM classes: pencil & paper = less pain. Humanities: laptop if allowed—use it to take notes directly on the slide deck. 💪 Fitness, Health & Wellness Get in the gym. Stressed? Anxious? Mad? Go lift it out. Carmichael = great way to meet people (and stay sane). Buy energy drinks in bulk. Talley Market is a scam ($5 for one Reign? No thanks). Order online, stock your dorm. Get your shots. You’re stressed, sleep-deprived, and surrounded by people = weak immune system. COVID, flu, meningitis—just get them. Stock a dorm first-aid kit. Include: Hand sanitizer Tissues Band-aids Tylenol​/​Ibuprofen Cough drops Vicks vapor rub Q-tips Rubbing alcohol Safety pins Bug spray Thermometer Emergen-C ​/​ Pedialyte Tampons (yes, for nosebleeds too) (Cough cough) condoms Latex gloves Face masks Have a safe contact. Know a trusted upperclassman or RA who can take you to urgent care or the ER. I landed in the ICU with mono, COVID, strep, sepsis and pneumonia—and my sister (a senior) saved my life. Don’t wait to ask for help. 🎉 Parties, Drinking, & The Stuff Parents Pretend You Won’t Do Upperclassmen are your lifeline (for advice, not just parties). Don’t do drugs. Just don’t. If you drink, be smart. Stick with people you trust. Don’t flaunt it—anything in dorm common areas is fair game for RAs to report. Use protection. Also, keep $52.95 on hand—that’s how much Plan B costs at Hillsborough CVS. Panic mode? Pineapple juice. Don’t ask why, just know it helps. Avoid shared drinks and kissing sprees at frats. That’s how you get mono, strep, COVID, pneumonia, and sepsis all in one like me. (Seriously. ICU.)

Favorite class

BIO230- The Science of Studying Dinosaurs with Dr. Elena Schroeter My favorite class has been Intro to Biology with Professor Schroeter. It wasn’t just the content that made it memorable—it was the environment. For the first time, I felt safe to learn at my own pace, ask questions without fear, and just be a student without comparison or pressure. Professor Schroeter created a space where curiosity was welcomed, not judged, and where compassion was just as important as academic excellence. That class helped me fall in love with science again, and more importantly, reminded me why I wanted to teach in the first place. It shaped not just my semester, but my entire outlook on education; both from the educator and the student view.

Career goals

After college, I hope to pursue a career in educational research or work in corporate education, creating impactful training materials and HR manuals that help employees grow and succeed. I’m also deeply interested in clinical research, where I can combine my passion for helping people with my love for science to contribute to meaningful, real-world solutions. Whether in education or healthcare, my goal is to use what I’ve learned to make complex information more accessible, engaging, and human-centered.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal way to spend a free night is having uninterrupted time to myself to reconnect with my body and mind after a long day or week. Sometimes that means heading to the gym to work out and release any stress I’ve been holding onto—moving my body helps me feel grounded, strong, and reset. Other times, it’s about slowing down: curling up on the couch with a good book, watching a favorite movie, and having my dog right next to me. Whether I’m being active or just unwinding, what matters most is giving myself the space to breathe, reflect, and recharge.

High school or secondary school

Green Hope High School Cary, NC