Extracurricular Activities
Student Council Secretary, Student Management Team, Cycling, Animal Rescue Foster
A Little Bit About Me
I grew up in Texas for most of my life but have been in Oregon since 2019. Moving to Oregon was exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. I moved here with no family or friends, but it helped me grow into the person I am today. I attended the University of Texas at San Antonio between 2013-2014 and again later in 2016. However, I was academically dismissed twice due to my lack of discipline and inability to prioritize school. This led to me working in the restaurant industry for several years, which I thought would be my lifelong career at the time. Ultimately, I decided that I was capable of more and decided to try again. This time around, I earned my associate degree with honors, became a member of Pi Theta Kappa, and made the president's list during my first two terms at Oregon Tech.
Why I Chose Oregon Tech and My Major
There are several dental hygiene programs in the Portland-Metro area, but none of them are as attractive as Oregon Tech. I chose this school because of its emphasis on culture and diversity. Attending a university that focuses on this was important to me because of my immigrant father. My major was also an easy choice for me as I believe that dental care should be affordable and accessible to anyone who needs it.
My Influential Professors
I genuinely believe that all of my dental hygiene instructors have played a major role in helping me become the well-rounded student that I am today. If I had to choose one or two of them that I would consider to be the most influential out of all of them, it would be Charisse Botsch and Kimberly Dayton. They have both created a safe and welcoming learning environment, and they have always gone above and beyond to ensure that I always feel confident in my learning abilities.
My Greatest Learning Experience At Oregon Tech
My greatest learning experience at Oregon Tech has been learning how to manage my coursework while being part of the dental hygiene program and working part-time as a veterinary assistant. Prior to my time at Oregon Tech, I was not academically successful in any courses due to poor time management skills. I desire to be a lifelong learner, I knew that to be successful academically, I would need to master the art of managing time. Though the coursework and deadlines can be demanding, I am grateful to be a part of this academic community.
My Plans After Graduation
After I receive my bachelor’s in dental hygiene, I plan to work in private practice for a few years to gain experience. However, my ultimate goal is to work in public health. Growing up I did not have the resources for adequate dental care, so I want to be able to help people who may be experiencing the same circumstances that I did. Everyone deserves a healthy and happy smile. My goals are not limited to only performing dental care, but also to teach the public the importance of oral health.