Hi there! My name is Hattie and I am a current senior pursuing a double-major in IA and Public Health with a minor in German. I moved around a lot as a kid, but have grown to call DC as a home. I use the Ch. 33 GI Bill as well as the Yellow Ribbon Program, so I am very well acquainted with military-affiliated financial aid. I am passionate about my career and my studies, but I also have decent knowledge of things to do for fun both on and off campus. You will usually find me at Milken or Gelman studying, but if the weather is nice, I’ll be “doing work” in Kogan Plaza. I understand being a prospective university student can be stressful, especially when deciding if you want to live there for the next four years, but I know all the little places and things to do that will make your transition to an independent adult life a little easier. I can guarantee answers to 99.48% of your questions in addition to a catalogue of tips and tricks built on the trials and tribulations of my own college experience!

Hometown

Fort Payne, Alabama

Major(s)

International Affairs & Public Health

Minor(s)

German Language and Literature

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Sigma Iota Rho (SIR; Elliott School Honors co-ed fraternity), Alpha Phi Omega (APO; the national service co-ed fraternity), the Globe (Elliott School undergraduate academic journal), GW Badminton, Ukrainian American Student Association, GW Dining Committee, Resident Hall Association, Yarn Club

Describe your college experience

At first, it was very difficult living so far away from my family. I would call my parents every day, and I wondered if college was the right move for me. However, GW made the transition a little easier by providing multiple opportunities for students to connect with one another, in addition to peer support through older students who had gone through what we were currently experiencing. Being away from home got better with time, and my friends certainly helped the transition along the way.

Tip for future students

When I first came to campus, the peer advisor for my group gave us three tips: 1) avoid taking naps at all cost during the day since it will mess with your sleep schedule 2) if you think an assignment will take x amount of time, be sure to multiply that by 3x 3) take full advantage of district connections and club activities in order to make a wide variety of friend circles Living through three (going on four) years of university, I can tell you that I personally disagree with #1. But with that said, I have kept to #2 and #3 religiously and have gained the benefit of both insights respectively.

Favorite class

Infectious diseases and bioterrorism has been my favorite class because every day the professor did a deep dive on a new disease. We discussed the Hendra outbreak, how HIV​/​AIDS came about in humans, how smallpox was eradicated. After our infectious diseases unit (as the name suggests) we then moved on to how these diseases could be weaponized as bio-weapons of mass destruction. This class combined what I love most about both my majors: relations between biosecurity (IA) and infectious diseases (public health).

Career goals

My Plan A is to return to Alabama to work as a Disease Interventionist at the ADPH. I’m hoping to gain some field experience before I pursue my masters in either a MSPH​/​MPH or IA. I am currently working on a passion project of mine involving Chagas’ disease, a neglected tropical disease that predominantly affects Latin Americans. The incidence and prevalence and overall data pertaining to Chagas in the US is harmfully limited, therefore I am aiming to change that by measuring vital statistics in medically underserved regions with that target population.

Ideal way to spend a free night

It can be really difficult to find spare time in college when juggling classes, studying, internship schedules, and extracurriculars, so if I can get the time I’m definitely staying in at home. If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll invite my friends over for a movie​/​game night.

High school or secondary school

Fairfax High School

Favorite spot on campus

When I was a freshman, my friends and I would always hang out and study together at the Thurston Hall penthouse. Now as an upperclassman, I am usually at the Milken School of Public Health if I’m not in my dorm.