Hi, I’m Katherine! I’m a sophomore studying biochemistry, exploring the pre-medical and industrial biotech tracks. I like to think I know all the absolute best coffee spots around campus and I'm proudly caffeinated. Moving here from a small town in the South—knowing only my roommate—this place quickly turned into home. These days, you’ll catch me all over campus: mostly around central campus for classes, coffee runs, and Target trips, or over at the medical campus where I work and shadow doctors. I’m always happy to share the fun local traditions (rule #1: never step on the M!), show you the best pickleball courts, point out prime spots to lay out in the sun, or just give you a feel for what life is like at Michigan. Feel free to reach out with any questions, or just tag along on my day!

Hometown

Nashville, TN

Major(s)

Biochemistry

Minor(s)

Business

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Beyond the classroom, I have built my home within U-M’s massive campus community through professional work, leadership, faith, service, and staying active. As an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Internal Medicine at Michigan Medicine, I gain firsthand healthcare exposure while managing administrative operations for a major academic medical center. My commitment to medicine extends into campus involvement with Cardio Collective, a pre-med student organization focused on cardiology, where I engage in specialized learning and peer networking. On campus, I serve on the recruitment team for Kappa Alpha Theta, helping guide incoming members and foster a strong, supportive sisterhood. My faith and passion for community service remain central to my college journey; through Christian Students at UMich, I design creative craft activities for children’s ministry, and I regularly volunteer with Detroit Animal Care and Control to support animal welfare in the broader Detroit area. To maintain balance, stress relief, and stay grounded, I also love playing recreational pickleball with friends around campus.

Describe your college experience

Transitioning to the University of Michigan was both incredibly exciting and a massive cultural and personal adjustment. Coming from a small school in the South, I never envisioned myself at a large university up North. Moving here knowing only my roommate meant learning how to adapt to a brand-new environment, build a support system from scratch, and navigate true independence away from the comfort of home. I had to step into full adult responsibilities: managing my own schedule and finances, handling every situation on my own, and balancing a heavy academic load (a lesson I learned firsthand after taking 18 credits as a freshman!). What made my experience so rewarding was stepping outside my comfort zone in every possible way: culturally, intellectually, and socially. Along the way, I’ve found endless reasons to fall in love with Michigan. The incredible friendships I’ve been blessed with, a growing familiarity with campus, the amazing memories I made here. These experiences are like anchors that keep me grounded as I chase toward my goals. Michigan has challenged me to handle the business of college without losing myself, and it has given me every reason to keep fighting for my dreams.

Tip for future students

My biggest advice is to master your campus logistics and academic routine early. Before classes start, do a physical walkthrough of your schedule, not just to find the buildings, but to navigate inside them so you don't get lost on day one. Pay close attention to distances between back-to-back classes; making it from Central to North Campus in 10 minutes is impossible, and rushing from East Hall to North Quad is a serious workout! Academically, build a personal schedule from week one that explicitly blocks out time for office hours, help rooms, and study groups Utilizing the libraries, the science learning center and academic resources early prevents you from falling behind in difficult classes. Finally, make upperclassmen friends. They will give you firsthand insight on professors, classes, and navigating U-M. Their advice is invaluable and will save you so much time and stress along the way.

Favorite class

My favorite class so far is anthrcul 346: Colonial Latin America History. I took this class to fulfill my LSA Race and Ethnicity requirement, I anticipated a standard history class to memorize dates, names, and events. Instead, the course completely redefined how I view history as a subject. I realized history is such a vivid study of human power dynamics, economic systems, and cultural negotiation, even through it sometimes feels far away from us. Through examining colonial trade networks and social structures, I was introduced to concepts like ethnogenesis—the dynamic process through which new ethnic identities emerge and evolve. Studying these micro-level interactions taught me that in history, less is more, and more is more: zoom in on a single interaction or document, and you uncover entire networks of political strategy, racial hierarchy, and cultural adaptation. Most importantly, ANTHRCUL 346 bridged the gap between the past and the present. Seeing how colonial power structures continue to inform modern racial dynamics and social consciousness proved that history isn't just about where we've been. It's about understanding why our society operates the way it does today.

Career goals

After college, my primary goal is to attend medical school and become a physician. At the same time, I am actively exploring the field of industrial biotechnology—particularly how scientific innovation and biotech scale-up can revolutionize healthcare solutions, therapeutics, and patient outcomes. Whether applying medical knowledge directly at the bedside or driving health innovations through the biotech industry, my ultimate objective is be involved with healthcare, science, and clinical problem-solving.

Ideal way to spend a free night

For me, the ideal free night depends on the season, the weather, and where I am in the semester. Most often, you’ll find me out with friends. As an extrovert, meeting new people and spending quality time with my inner circle energizes me like nothing else—it’s why I loved living in the dorms so much! Friendship has been my single biggest blessing in college, so sharing a meal, going out, or just laughing with friends is my default way to recharge.However, I also deeply value a cozy, quiet night in. On rainy days or after a long week, nothing beats curling up with a good book and a warm cup of peppermint tea. And of course, when midterms or finals roll around, my "free" nights shift to the library, where I focus on getting ahead of coursework so I can truly enjoy my downtime later. Ultimately, whether I’m out making memories across campus or winding down on my own, my ideal night is all about balance.

High school or secondary school

Davison Academy

Favorite spot on campus

My favorite spot on campus is the UMMA Cafe inside the University of Michigan Museum of Art. It has become a cherished staple of my weekly routine, especially every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons when my class in the UMMA Auditorium ends. The cafe is the ultimate all-in-one space on campus. Its floor-to-ceiling windows bring in incredible natural light, making it an inviting place whether I’m locking in for a study session, catching up with friends, or hosting a coffee chat for club recruitment. The menu is fantastic with their rotating specials, great coffee, and refreshers. There's always something to match whatever mood I'm in that day. On top of the vibrant atmosphere and great drinks, its location right on State Street is unbeatable. Being just steps away from Hatcher and Shapiro libraries and surrounded by major academic buildings makes it the perfect central hub to recharge before diving into the rest of my day.