In 2023, I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with two B.S. degrees: One in Financial Technology and one in Anthropology. My interest in this admittedly odd combination stems from reading Debt: The First 5000 Years by the late anthropologist David Graeber. The book is a detailed account of the development of credit/debt and its place in human culture.

Anthropology at VCU, and in most US undergraduate anthropology programs, is primarily focused on the development of research skills as well as an understanding of archaeological processes and cultural theory. Financial Technology is split into two concentrations: Financial Engineering and Actuarial Science. I chose Financial Engineering because I already had some academic experience with higher-level math and was interested in statistical modeling. Some of the most gratifying experiences I have had in VCU classes have been times when was able to apply statistical methods to anthropological data, or cultural theory to market analysis. I hope to be able to apply such a synthesis of both my degrees in my future career.

During my time at VCU I made Dean’s List 5 times, was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Societies, and graduated Cum Laude.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, embroidery, travel, and hiking in the Appalachians.