Throughout most of my life, I never considered myself a creative person. While I had interests in music and art, they always felt more surface-level than deeply personal. When I began my undergraduate career at UW–Madison, I spent my first semester moving from one science and math class to the next, constantly wondering why none of them felt right. I had always assumed that if I wasn’t creative, then STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) must be the perfect fit for me. I quickly realized how wrong I was.
After a semester in engineering, I realized it wasn’t the path I wanted to pursue. I knew there had to be something else that would feel more meaningful and fulfilling. So I began exploring. I joined different clubs on campus and eventually found my place at The Daily Cardinal and WSUM 91.7 FM.
Through those experiences, I also discovered Madison’s local music scene. I started managing local artists, booking shows, and even hosting concerts at my college house alongside my roommates. What began as curiosity quickly became clarity. These communities introduced me to the power of storytelling—whether through journalism, radio, or live performance—and ultimately led me to earn my bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication Arts this past spring.
Through these experiences, I discovered my creative side, and, more importantly, where I thrived within it. I realized that what excited me most was the business side of creative collaborations and projects: shaping ideas, creating structure, and helping them succeed. This realization led me to the Bolz Center for Arts Administration in the Wisconsin School of Business. I wanted to gain the foundational skills needed to become an arts leader, but as someone who supports artists not just creatively, but strategically, helping bring their visions to life.
Throughout this past year, I’ve had the opportunity to complete an Applied Learning Placement with the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives (OMAI). In this role, I’ve focused on outreach, maintaining relationships with community and campus partners, and helping ensure clear, consistent communication. I’m especially grateful for the chance to develop skills in event support, strategic outreach planning, and partnership coordination, all while contributing to and advancing OMAI’s mission.
Being part of the Bolz Center has been incredibly important in helping me grow as a businesswoman. I feel confident in my skill set as an arts leader, and as I look ahead to graduating this May, I’m excited to see what comes next and how I’ll continue building on this experience.
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