I chose ODU because of the military presence on campus. We had an amazing group of NROTC instructors and the university welcomed all of the active duty Marines and sailors on campus to continue their education and gain a commission out of it...
I was the president of the Semper Fi Society; a member of the ROTC choir; and a member of the ODU Dance Association.
I am a plant-based chef, urban farmer, and a dance fitness instructor. My [career] plans are to open a cafe with plant-based foods fit for every palate and I want to start a commercial garden that utilizes aeroponic towers. We would grow food to feed the community and supply the food for my cafe.
As a dancer, I learned to be versatile and flexible (no pun intended). Being held accountable by my professors [at ODU], my fellow dancers, and the audience (when we would perform) really made me stay more focused on the work in the studio and in the classroom.
All of my professors had a positive impact on my learning experience! I do have a special appreciation for Amanda Kinzer (former dance department director...she passed away last year) because she was the first person I met from the department that told me I could dance and that it could be my major! This meant a lot because I had never taken a ballet class (which is the foundation of the genres we studied in the department), and to start that type of training under her wing at the age of 26 was very scary. She noticed that I had the tenacity and drive (even though I was not a classically trained dancer). She was always giving great feedback and I believe that made me stronger as a dancer. Even after I graduated, she kept in touch with me and always wanted to know the latest and greatest with my military career and what I was doing in the dance community. She was truly a gem in the department and will/is greatly missed.
I loved the community. I still love the ODU community. I never felt out of place at ODU. I just have to say that my time there as an undergraduate student and active duty Marine was a great experience. I am especially excited now that I can still be involved with the university through the Strome Entrepreneurial Center and The Monarch Way store. It has come full circle and I am a proud Monarch Alumni.