From Figuring It Out to Paying It Forward

I created Space to Succeed because, for a long time, I had to figure everything out on my own. I'm a first-generation college student from a rural community where opportunities weren’t always clear or accessible. I didn’t have mentors who had been through this process, and I rarely saw people pursuing the kinds of careers I dreamed about.

Even with those challenges, I knew I wanted more for myself; so I created more. I started sending cold emails, connecting with professionals, and saying yes to every opportunity that came my way. Over time, I built my own version of success. To me, success isn’t just about titles or test scores. It’s about staying curious, having the grit to keep learning, and the courage to put yourself out there. I’ve gone from a small town in Southern Virginia to a place in higher education I never thought I’d reach. And I didn’t get there by knowing all the answers, I got there by asking the right questions.

In college, I’ve worked as a Peer Career Advisor and a Peer Academic Coach. Along the way, I've participated in national programs, presented at conferences, participated in undergraduate research, and have gone through the process of applying and particpating in REU internships. I have gathered the tools, knowledge, and lessons that I learned along the way and created a space for them to exist. That’s what Space to Succeed is, a place where students like me, and maybe like you, can get the kind of guidance that I wish I had when I was starting out.