Coming to Indiana University in the fall of 2012, I was an enthusiastic 18-year- old with a lot of drive and little direction. I became involved in groups and took classes that interested me, with focus ranging from mental health, sexual and domestic violence prevention, and disability rights. I decided to become a psychology major,

and while I enjoyed what I was studying, I wasunsure of how to make a career out of what I was learning.

That’s where P.A.C.E. came in — an academic program that allowed me to grow my knowledge base and gain real world experience effecting change in the areas I was most passionate. I took my first P.A.C.E. class in the fall of 2014, and quickly fell in love with the program. I took as many classes as I could fit into my schedule, and learned how to channel my passion into real - world political and civic engagement. I learned how our government works structurally, and the skills necessary to create change on local, state, and federal levels. I became a moderator for the P.A.C.E. issue forum, and was able to participate in democratic deliberations not only through

our department, but with other I.U. departments and in the Bloomington community. I served on the P.A.C.E.

Leadership Council, and was able to have a say in the direction that our growing program was taking. My work with P.A.C.E. culminated into two internships my senior year. For one, I worked with The Middle Way House’s crisis intervention team, helping individuals experiencing domestic and sexual violence. For the other, I pioneered a partnership between P.A.C.E. and The College Internship Program, an organization in town that serves young adults who have been diagnosed with autism. I worked alongside the staff to create ways for the students to become more engaged in their communities and government. My work with The College Internship Program earned me the 2016 P.A.C.E. Hutton Internship Award, an honor I am most proud of. Since graduating in 2016, I have embarked on a new adventure — law school. I have been fortunate enough to stay here at Indiana University, studying at the Maurer School of Law. I continue to utilize skills learned in the P.A.C.E. program: not only the doctrinal knowledge of the political and civic processes, but the softer skills, such as active listening and empathy. I have been able to continue working with communities I care deeply about, including creating an Autism Strategy Project, working to connect disabled individuals with legal resources. I also am heavily involved with the Protective Order Project, serving individuals who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. This coming year will be one of diverse opportunity and growth: I will be working at a law firm, serving as a judicial extern with a judge in Indianapolis, and acting as the Protective Order Project’s Case Management Supervisor. Wherever my career takes me, I have found that the lessons, skills, and connections I made with the P.A.C.E. program continue to serve me well.