The first spark ignited in my childhood when I was deeply immersed in creativity. Whether it was with Legos or losing myself in art projects, I thrived on hands-on, imaginative work. This passion carried into college, where I began in a business program. But it wasn’t creatively challenging. The realization hit me when I discovered Clemson’s Graphic Communications program, a path that promised a perfect blend of creativity and practicality. Transferring into the program was my first major leap toward aligning my passion with my future.

The second spark struck during my time in sales. My job taught me that selling wasn’t just about moving products—it was about connecting ideas with people and understanding the need. That realization deepened during my first internship at TTI, where I learned the universal importance of selling, whether it’s a physical item or your own ideas and talents. I found joy in presenting something I had created, explaining its value, and watching others understand and appreciate it as I did. Selling became more than a skill—it became an art.

The third spark came during an inks and substrates lab, where I tackled a complex subject by breaking it down into more tangible, digestible concepts. As I simplified it for myself, I began teaching it the same way to others. Realizing I’ve done this before, both inside and outside the classroom. I discovered my talent for explaining things in a way that made sense to others. Watching my classmates’ expressions light up with “aha” moments when they finally grasped something challenging was incredibly rewarding. That experience revealed my passion for teaching in a way of transforming complexity into clarity.