Interview edited for length and clarity.
What drew you to the field of communications?
From an early age, I had this idea of being a journalist. I grew up writing and reading all the time, which made me think more about the stories that brought people together. Throughout history, the ability to storytell has been integral in the way people understand the world around them. I felt like I could use my skills to connect with people and give back to my community.
I always thought I was going to be a local journalist. I had the idea of staying in Boston and reporting for a local newspaper or blog. Once I got into my journalism major, I wanted to push myself, which is why I decided to also pursue a major in public relations and marketing communications.
At the time I graduated, there were some critical conversations about the field of journalism and how it had been evolving rapidly. For me, the public relations side of my education felt like a safety blanket, at first, but I came to realize I love learning about marketing, messaging, and how to think of storytelling in different ways, be it for a company or for a mission.
When looking at universities to attend, what stood out to you about Simmons?
At the time, I had already been at a community college, so I knew what schooling looked like, to a degree, and what I wanted for myself. I had a very untraditional educational experience, and I had insecurities about making it at a four-year institution.
I attended an informational session for Simmons on a beautiful summer afternoon. There was this immediate feeling of home to me. It felt so safe and wonderful, which no other school had made me feel. I loved that I was in the city, with so many opportunities around, and I appreciated the diligence the presenters had in the information session about what Simmons offered to their students. That feeling did not stop once I enrolled.
The professors were so great. To this day, I still talk to my professors, and they still serve as some of the guiding forces in my life. They helped me get interested in politics and communications. The level of passion my professors had and their experiences improved my academic journey.
How did you stay involved during your time at Simmons?
At various times throughout my college career, I was a Resident Advisor, a member of the Black Student Organization, participated in the Student Government Association, worked in the Career Center, contributed to The Simmons Voice, and was a Comm Lab agent. In totality, I did a lot, but that was over the course of four years. I never did more than two roles per semester.
The career center showed me the resources available to students looking for help, and I leaned on that when I was looking for internships and job opportunities. Being an RA also taught me a great deal about leadership and responsibility within my community.
Overall, each organization and job taught me different lessons. That made me a better storyteller because I had to consider more ideas of inclusivity and talk about the big issues with an open mind and a sympathetic ear.
What was your networking strategy during college and post-graduation?
I was lucky enough to make a connection early on with a professor, who has become a lifelong mentor to me. Using Simmons throughout my networking journey gave me the opportunity to use the school’s resources and find internships that were great foundations for my career. I still talk with some of my peers, and even if they are in different fields, we stay in touch because of the interconnectedness of the workforce.
Even now as an alumna, I find that my networking is more and more centered around giving back to the Simmons community. I reached out earlier this year to let it be known that I am interested in sharing insights into my career, getting people energized around politics, and using my relationships to create other opportunities for students. I am forever grateful for my time at Simmons, and giving back makes it feel like a full circle moment for me.
How did attending a women-centered institution affect your education?
I always found Simmons to be a safe place where I could be challenged, and I could challenge others. I could always speak my mind, and I was empowered to do so. In my journey through Simmons, I realized the importance of seeing more than one side.
I realized how special it was to have friends who I did not always agree with on certain issues, and could respectfully disagree with them without ending a friendship. I had classes where we could debate and talk freely about why we thought the way we thought. Especially now on Capitol Hill, I think there needs to be more of that mindset in open conversations. While I was a journalism student, I was tasked to write stories that featured multiple sides.
Objectivity is a core pillar in journalism that makes it what it is. I was forced to think about how I can make a story fair and objective, which requires a critical lens of self-reflection and intention. I think having professors who instilled those principles and challenged me to question my own thinking was an invaluable lesson. To be a critical thinker, especially now that I am in politics, helps everyone achieve a better understanding of an issue.
What advice would you give to current communications students?
I know this comes off as simple, but do the work. In this age of AI, it is so easy to just think of convenience, but when you put in the work, you are respecting yourself and diving into your passions wholeheartedly. I’d also say, do the work and then a little bit more. Think of what else you could be reading, practicing, or trying out to make your career multi-dimensional.
Another excellent trait is humility. It is OK to not know everything and have to ask questions. Asking questions is just another form of networking. Doing that extra work or going out of your way to ask questions helps move people out of complacency and into new possibilities. As a student, you are the one in control of your time and passions. There are only four years in college, so make the most of them. You are never tied down to one field of study or organization; you have the control to test out new things if one does not feel right.