2025 Torchbearer Award recipient gains a passion for leadership and service at Herbert
Where are you from, and why did you decide to attend the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee?
I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky, but my family currently lives in Dayton, Ohio. I came into the university originally in the College of Arts and Science as a psychology major, but when I changed my major to animal science, I joined the Herbert College of Agriculture. I like how Herbert is so much more personal due to the class sizes and really enjoyed all of the events they were always hosting.
What inspired you to major in animal science, and what interests you most about this field?
I grew up around animals and had a ton of different pets: cats, dogs, lizards, fish, and even horses, so switching to a major focused on animals naturally made sense. Although I no longer want to be a veterinarian, I thoroughly enjoyed my rigorous coursework and was really interested in my health management classes. I still want to work with animals and plan to pivot to wildlife biology or something of the sort.
Have there been any specific classes, research experiences, or professors at Herbert that have had a significant impact on your academic journey?
I have had a ton of good professors in Herbert, but three specifically come to mind: Dr. Cheryl Kojima, Dr. Jerome Grant, and Dr. Paxton Parker. All three of them have made a significant impact on my college career and I appreciate them very dearly. I am an undergraduate research lab assistant for Dr. Grant’s lab as well, and I have learned a lot. I learned how to pin insects which later gave me a head start on one of my entomology classes. Specific classes I have really enjoyed include Animal Anatomy and Physiology with Dr. Dan Mathew because the hands-on portions and dissections really helped me learn and Companion and Exotic Animal Management with Dr. Parker because of the extensive variety in our labs. We saw a demonstration from working canines on the police force, practiced drawing blood from animal simulators, toured Young-Williams Animal Center, and visited Zoo Knoxville’s Clayton Family Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Campus to see their herpetology exhibits. We are also going to a raptor center later in the semester which I am super excited for.
Congratulations on being named one of UT Knoxville’s 2025 Torchbearers! This honor reflects your dedication to the Volunteer spirit. How has your experience at Herbert helped shape your commitment to leadership and service?
My experience at Herbert has helped shape my commitment to leadership and service because it taught me the value of perseverance. To be honest, I took some of the hardest classes here that I have ever taken before, but despite the difficulty, I worked extremely hard to succeed in these classes. My grades were so much more rewarding because I had to work so hard for them and that is something I will take with me beyond my academic experience. This shaped my commitment to leadership and service because perseverance is one of the most important skills for any aspect of life. My perseverance helped me not only take on difficult leadership positions but also excel in them. My perseverance in service allowed me to fit volunteering into my tight schedule because I value giving back to the community.
You’ve held several leadership roles at UT, including being the inaugural president of the Multicultural Mentoring Program. What has that experience meant to you, and what impact do you hope the program has on future students?
The Multicultural Mentoring Program is the only program on campus that I have been involved in all four years of my college career. I started as a mentee my freshman year, became a first-year peer mentor my sophomore year, a senior peer mentor my junior year, and a senior peer mentor and the inaugural president my senior year. I have poured my heart into this program because the people mean so much to me. I have taken so much joy in having six mentees throughout my time as a mentor and watching them develop into leaders too has been very rewarding. The program helped me get involved and make friends when I was a freshman, and I hope that it can do the same for future students. As an out of state student, the program was especially helpful for me to find all the many resources that we have available at the university. We have so many resources at our disposal that a lot of people do not know about, so I hope that the program continues to be a light for other freshmen.
What advice would you give to future Herbert students who want to make the most of their time at UT, especially those interested in leadership and community engagement?
My advice would be to get as involved as possible. Although I kept a very busy schedule, I made lifelong connections with students, faculty, and staff that I will forever be grateful for. The people I met have created a lasting impact on me and developed me into a better leader, listener, and friend. As an out of state student, getting involved is also what helped me find my place on campus when I did not know anyone. It allowed me to find my home in an unfamiliar place and thoroughly enjoy my four years here.
What has been your most rewarding or memorable experience at Herbert?
My most memorable experience at Herbert would have to be a combination of my labs as an animal science major. My major is very hands on, and I have really enjoyed the variety of content in my classes and labs. I have stuck my hand in a cow’s cannula (twice) which leads directly into the cow’s rumen so we could pull out grass to look at the juice under a microscope. I had the opportunity to freeze brand cows for identification purposes. I was able to watch a working dog demonstration for the University of Tennessee Police Department’s K-9 unit that detects explosives. I also was able to go to the zoo and get a special tour of their herpetology exhibits! These are just a few of the hands-on learning opportunities that the program has offered, but I will remember these labs for many years!
With graduation approaching, what’s next for you? Do you have any specific career or educational goals that your time at Herbert has helped prepare you for?
I have an internship with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources that I am super excited about. I will be working in Hocking Hills State Park which is one of the few hemlock forests left in Ohio. I will be helping protect the hemlocks from hemlock woolly adelgid and other negative factors. After that I plan to pursue my master’s in wildlife ecology or wildlife biology in Fall 2026.
How do you hope to continue carrying the Torchbearer spirit beyond UT, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind for future students?
I hope to continue carrying the Torchbearer spirit beyond UT by continuing to exemplify the Volunteer spirit wherever I go. This means being someone who leads by example and demonstrates through consistent, selfless actions what it means to be a leader to their peers. Being a Torchbearer means embodying the Volunteer spirit by serving the university through hard work and dedication to make a lasting impact on students, staff, and the university alike, and I hope that this is the legacy I am leaving behind for future students. I want to inspire people to pour into others and shine light on them even if it is at the cost of their own self recognition.
What are some of your hobbies or a fun fact about you that people might be surprised to learn?
My go to fun fact is that I am a certified scuba diver! I took a scuba diving class my first semester here and got certified. I have an official license and everything! Some of my favorite hobbies include hiking, kayaking, and reading. I love to read a good book on a nice day. I also really enjoy spending time at the Humane Society. Socializing the dogs helps me decompress and is great for them too!
