Alumni Guest Columns provide a space for Barton graduates to share their unique experiences, insights, and stories with the College community. Throughout the year, we will feature alumni who reflect on their journey and how Barton shaped their life beyond campus. Through their words, we celebrate the lasting impact of a Barton education.
When I first stepped onto Barton’s campus in 2019, I had no idea that this time in my life would turn my world upside down. Looking back, the school was more than just my alma mater—it was a pillar of my journalistic career and the place where I discovered how to turn my curiosity into my craft.
At Barton, I wasn’t just another student navigating the usual pressures of college life. In my freshman year, my dad passed away, and I underwent brain surgery in my junior year. But the faculty, staff and my peers helped create an environment for me where I felt truly seen and supported. The small class sizes and personal connections I made with my professors shaped the way I approached my education.
They didn’t just teach; they mentored and challenged me to think critically, question the world around me and—most importantly—find my voice. And with that, I became a powerhouse advocate for a plethora of people.
From being an resident assistant, president of The Justice League, SVPCA stage manager, intern in the communication department at Barton and more, my experiences there gave me the confidence to take on leadership roles and pursue opportunities that I once found intimidating.
After graduating from Barton, I immediately continued my education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pursuing graduate studies in journalism that would give me a new set of challenges and opportunities. The foundation I built there has allowed me to excel in a fast-paced, ever-changing industry, where truthful storytelling is more important than ever.
At UNC, I’ve been able to delve deeper into the craft, exploring media outside of print, like radio and broadcasting, and social media, as it relates to younger audiences.
Now having both my bachelor’s and master’s degree in journalism, I’ve begun working as the multimedia reporter for Cardinal & Pine, a publication where I’ve covered things from North Carolina politics to community stories.
And my journey isn’t stopping there. From launching my own website, a platform dedicated to capturing voices from across the Tar Heel state and country, I plan to keep going. To keep writing and reporting on the stories that often go untold. Whether it’s covering the aftermath of a natural disaster or celebrating a community achievement, I’m driven by a desire to elevate the people and issues that matter most.
And in a way, it all started at Barton College.
As I reflect on my time at Barton, I realize just how much it helped shape the person I am today. The lessons I learned, the friendships I made, the friendships I lost, and the mentors who guided me along the way are all a part of my story. And now, as I continue to grow in my journalism career, I’m excited to give back to the Barton community in any way I can.
To the current students and recent graduates, I would offer this piece of advice: Don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t give up. Whether it’s pitching a story idea and getting rejected by an editor, pursuing a career path that scares you, or even going back to school to further your education, trust that the foundation you make for yourself—that self-fulfilling drive—will carry you forward.