Tell us about what you're doing with your life
After receiving my B.A. in Government from Cornell, I returned to my native Texas for graduate school at Trinity University to earn an M.A. in Urban Studies. From there, I went to work for the U.S. Small Business Administration holding several positions in SBA's field offices and headquarters office in Washington, DC. I currently serve as the SBA's Georgia District Director in Atlanta.
Outside of my professional life, I serve as a board member and co-chair of the local scholarship committee for the Cornell Alumni Association of Atlanta. I enjoy my hobbies of ballroom dancing, travel, and the theater.
What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
Having grown up in south Texas, the most exciting time of the year for me at Cornell was autumn. I loved the cold, crisp air, the changing color of the leaves, and the bountiful supply of all things pumpkin.
Which Cornell classmates do you keep in touch with?
The classmate I have kept up with the most is Evelyn Taylor Pearson, B.S. Chemical Engineering. She was one of the first people I connected with freshman year.
How has your time at Cornell influenced you since you graduated?
I appreciate the diversity of people, places, and experiences. I'm more adventurous and willing to try new things.
What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was most meaningful?
I didn't really have extracurricular activities. I spent my days going to class, studying, and working off campus at Neighborhood Legal Services downtown.
If you could change anything about your Cornell experience, what would it be?
I would engage in more extracurricular activities and pursue more of the opportunities to try new things that Cornell offers.
What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?
Being a Cornell graduate represents a significant triumph to for me. I come from a background and neighborhood where many didn't finish high school and even fewer went to college. It was the fulfillment of my faith that with the right support and hard work, the impossible was possible. My world become much more expansive and richer from my studies and general experiences.
What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell?
Eight semesters will pass more quickly than you can imagine. Allow yourself to enjoy the entire Cornell experience as much as possible. Take some courses outside of your core discipline and some "fun" courses. Find an extracurricular activity that you enjoy and challenges you. Explore the beauty of the campus and area.
What are you most looking forward to at Reunion 2024?
Seeing some familiar blasts from the past and meeting other whose paths didn't intersect with mine when we were actually at Cornell. We all we share in the collective astonishment of 40 years passing since we graduated!