I am a graduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing a Master’s degree in Journalism with a concentration in Multimedia. I work as a student photographer for Fighting Illini Athletics and plan to graduate in December 2025. Prior to attending Illinois, I earned a Bachelor of Science in History from Illinois State University, with double minors in African American Studies and Political Science.

Hometown

Chicago, IL, USA

Major(s)

Journalism

Clubs, organizations & involvement

University of Illinois (2024-25): - Flashpoint Photography Club - member - Inline Insomniacs - member - Fighting Illini Hockey Club - Photographer - Daily Illini and The Illio (student newspaper and yearbook) - staff photographer - Fighting Illini Productions - student worker - UI7 Newsroom – Good Morning Illini - Assistant Producer (student news and broadcast) Illinois State University (2018-22) - Alpha Omega Campus Ministry - former president and member - ISU Photo Club - member - History Club - member - Redbird Productions - student worker

Describe your college experience

I graduated from Illinois State University in 2022. After working for a few years, my passion for journalism continued to grow, and I realized I wanted to pursue something greater. That led me to enroll at the University of Illinois—and I can honestly say, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My experience here has been incredible. At Illinois, you get hands-on opportunities to explore the field you want to pursue as a career. I’ve been able to branch out, explore campus, and connect with students and faculty who are like-minded and eager to help you grow. It hasn’t always been easy—there were definitely challenges along the way—but those moments are only temporary. Once you establish a routine, everything becomes more manageable, and it sets you up for long-term success.

Tip for future students

Be yourself. Don’t stay cooped up in your dorm all day—get out, explore campus, and meet new people. Stay on top of your classes, and make a habit of stopping by the financial aid office to see what scholarships or resources might be available to you. Figure out what you're passionate about, and if you have the time, consider getting a campus job. It’s a great way to gain experience and make connections. Network with your professors and different departments on campus—don’t be afraid to reach out if there's something you want or need. And finally… you don’t have to raise your hand to go to the bathroom. Just go.

Favorite class

JOUR 501​/​215 – Multimedia Storytelling is my favorite class because it has given me a deeper understanding of photojournalism, as well as other forms of journalism that are closely related to my career goals.

Career goals

After college, I hope to work as a sports photographer for Major League Baseball (MLB). I'm also open to opportunities with the National Hockey League (NHL), National Football League (NFL), or National Basketball Association (NBA). I’m interested in covering collegiate sports as well. Additionally, I would love to work as a photojournalist for a major Chicago newspaper or with organizations like the Associated Press (AP) or Getty Images.

Ideal way to spend a free night

In my free time, I enjoy skating around campus on my penny board—a small, plastic skateboard made by Penny Skateboards. I also like hanging out with friends, playing video games, and watching TV or sports. With so many sporting events happening on campus, I try to attend as many as I can. I also enjoy photographing both sports and everyday campus life.

High school or secondary school

Hansberry College Prep - a charter school located in Chicago, IL, USA

Previous college

I went to Illinois State University during my undergrad and I graduated in 2022.