I’ll be serving at Duke University in Durham, NC. I am super excited to encounter these bright students and can’t wait to hear about their studies and interests!

I grew up a baptized Catholic, but didn’t truly find my faith until I was in high school at Bishop Verot Catholic High School. It was here that I developed an appreciation for the Catholic Church and really started trying to grow in my prayer life. I went to the University of Florida to continue my education in Environmental Engineering. College proved to be challenging and while I mostly maintained my faith, it dropped on my list of priorities as the academic and social pressures increased. By my junior year, I realized I was missing something in a big way, and found my way to the St. Augustine parish one night where I had a deep encounter with the Lord. I realized then that Jesus Christ was the missing piece and I resolved to recommit my life to Christ. I slowly figured out how to do that, eventually receiving First Communion and Confirmation the following Easter. Ever since, I have been growing in my relationship with the Lord and have a great zeal to share Him to the world!

As a FOCUS missionary, I will be able to help students who, like myself, strive for excellence in all areas of their lives but might be struggling to understand what that looks like. Many students, especially those at highly competitive institutions, struggle to make time for meaningful friendships in communities where they feel truly known and loved. They also face challenges in maintaining their faith amidst the many pressures at their schools. I hope to reach students at Duke, particularly those with similar academic backgrounds to mine, and relate my experiences to theirs, showing them that they are not alone and that the Lord desires to meet them where they are and to grow in a relationship with them. FOCUS specifically aims to achieve this through Bible studies, discipleship, and living out the life of faith through authentic friendship. We hope to lead them to the Lord, who will set their hearts on fire for Him and cultivate in them a desire to spread the Good News, which He hopes to show them deeply personal way.