What is your favorite memory from your time as an SNF Ithaca Student Leader so far?

My favorite memory as an SNF Ithaca Student Leader is absolutely the trip to Athens, Greece I was able to take with SNF Chair of Civil Discourse and Director of the SNF Ithaca Initiative, Dr. Timothy Shaffer; Former Assistant Dean of External Relations, Sebastian Jannelli; and my fellow student leader, Adrianna Mazzio. Together, we were privileged to attend the iMEdD International Journalism Forum, also supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The experience was nothing short of life-changing, and I was thrust into a different culture with a deep history of the democratic process, something integral to the work of the Ithaca Initiative. There, I had the incredible opportunity to listen to dozens of journalists and academics all tackling some of the biggest questions facing the industry today.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

One of the many ways that SNF Ithaca has supported me is in terms of practicing dialogue, a skill that directly translates to my career hopes and plans. I'm interested in becoming a reporter, and after three years at the university's student newspaper, The Review, I've learned that my favorite part of the job is posing questions to people who are seldom asked. From conversations with some of Newark's homeless population to interviews with undocumented students on campus, I've developed a passion for offering a voice to folks who are often caught in society's margins. The practice of dialogue that SNF Ithaca so importantly fosters helps me each time I approach a source, lead an interview, or ask a tough question, ultimately making me a better reporter and a more engaged community member.

How has the SNF Ithaca Initiative helped you become a more effective and engaged citizen? 

The SNF Ithaca Initiative has given me countless opportunities to engage in the practice of dialogue -- and a practice it is. I've learned firsthand that dialogue is a skill that takes time and experience to become comfortable with, and it's one that makes us all better citizens. From navigating casual political conversations in the workplace or at the dinner table, to engaging formally in debates, dialogue over contentious beliefs shows up all across our lives. SNF Ithaca has taught me how to practice that dialogue effectively, lead with empathy, and better understand my fellow neighbor.