Where are you from, and how did you get to where you are today?
It’s quite a long story, but to put it briefly, I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and then moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, during my third year of high school. After graduation, I moved to New York City to begin my studies at Parsons, and after about a year and a half, I decided I wanted to complete my degree in Paris!

How does Paris inspire you in your work?
Oh, wow — Paris is one of the most inspiring cities that I have lived in thus far. I would say, compared with New York, Denver, etc., the fundamental history that is embedded in this city is absolutely magnificent. This history is ingrained not only in the infrastructure but in the culture as well, and the Parisian mindset is something I will take with me for the rest of my life. Paris inspires me to take time for myself, focus on my relationships with friends and professors, and simply enjoy the small and beautiful things in life.

How is research going on your Capstone project? What is your topic?
My capstone project is going swimmingly! I am focusing on the gallery space and re-configuring a spatial setting in which art and design not only support makers but generates a community passionate about shifting the current balance of power.

I think that today the challenge for cultural institutions is to find a balance between institutional authority and attunement to the different backgrounds of their public. Especially now innovation is essential, and I am so grateful for the coursework that I have completed to this point, for I have really been able to realize that new forms of contextualization and participation within the art gallery are becoming increasingly important. Because this is something that I am extremely interested in and am constantly learning more about, I feel as if it is like a ball of yarn rolling further away from me — but I know that if done right, it can be a wonderful project to continue working on post-graduation.

What impact has COVID-19 had on your life?
COVID-19 has limited my ability to meet certain professionals, but I have done a deep dive into archives and text and have had inspiring conversations with several individuals across the industry over Zoom. I think this strange time that we live in right now is allowing new methods of research and communication to come into practice, and I'm honestly grateful to have the time to work so diligently on not only research but forming relationships as well.

Which internships have you found beneficial?
Over my undergraduate career, I have had a plethora of internships, from working in Zac Posen’s PR department in New York, working with regional textile developers in Beacon, about an hour-and-a-half train ride from Manhattan, to managing a huge watch event in Geneva. All of these experiences have provided me with a diverse background to bring to the table and have helped me realize that I genuinely want to have a beneficial impact on the world. I think working internships is a wonderful opportunity, because even though sometimes you have to do the grunt work, you see these huge companies, and their values, working to complete something at a larger scale, and for me, that’s inspiring.

I have also been able to develop a network that is now able to assist with finding entry-level positions after I graduate in May!

What cultural experience have you had in Paris that stands out?
I could quite honestly write a book on this one. Paris’ culture is really something magnificent to be able to take part in. One of the biggest things that stands out to me is the simple “I work to live, not live to work” kind of mindset that I feel like a lot of residents have — taking time to enjoy the beauty of the city and really indulging in a coffee with friends, reading on the steps of some beautiful church, or just taking walks that were meant to last 30 minutes but turned into two hours. Lately for me it’s about going to the canal for lunch and watching everyone congregate in the sunshine, soaking up the moments of bliss, before they have to head back to the office. Since all of the cafés have been closed for quite some time, finding small spaces to call my own has been really special.

What have you been doing with your time outside of school?
Before lockdown, I spent most of my time outside, sitting at cafés, wandering through galleries and museums, having picnics throughout the city, and going to the gym, but now things are slightly different. While some of those things are still doable, I have been making it a habit to go on runs and have lunch by the Seine almost every day. I also visit the farmers market every week to stock up on supercheap produce (insider tip), and have been visiting a lot of bookstores, as I find myself reading more and more each day. One of my favorite things that I have been doing during COVID is simply inviting my commune, as we like to call ourselves, over to make dinners, share desserts, have grind sessions to really crank out work, and play cards while listening to good music.

I have found that spending time with my friends is something I have been cherishing lately, after not really seeing that many people last year.

What advice would you give incoming students?
Hmm…. I would have to start by saying that sometimes things get rough — stress happens, anxiety happens, but, as someone who has had a couple of down points throughout my college career, I can attest that it really does work out. You will get that project done. This class is only for a couple more months. You will find an internship. People are here to help. Don't spend the time that you could be doing something good for yourself stressing about the unknown! Parsons has some wonderful resources, so definitely take advantage of them.

I would also advise everyone to visit the New York campus if you get the chance. One of the best things I am walking away with is experience in both New York City and Paris — cultivating an international perspective is imperative in today’s job market. Also, just explore the city, and if you can, take a train somewhere to explore France. The memories I have made going on trips with friends and exploring France will truly last a lifetime. Let life take you on a wonderful journey, with the beautiful city of Paris as your backdrop.