After living, working, and traveling abroad, I am excited to return to Rocky Top to pursue my MA in Cultural Anthropology. I earned my BA in Global Studies from the University of Tennessee in 2022 and currently work for the Division of Global Engagement. My academic interests include linguistics, with regional focuses on South America and the Middle East. I hope to center my research on sociolinguistics and the intersections of language, spiritual belief systems, and ecological knowledge, exploring how these relationships shape culture, identity, and environmental stewardship.