Carly Zhang

Here's a fun fact about me: I have two renditions of my first name, Xinyue and Carly. That duality didn't come from a whimsical decision from my parents; rather, it represents my mixed Chinese identity as a "jade in the heart" and global identity as a "free individual." Throughout my personal life and educational journey, I am constantly shaped by my cultural roots and the myriad international perspectives I've encountered.

With my multicultural background, I am eager to provide diverse perspectives into discussion opportunities and enrich my understanding of social issues through academic research. In my spare time previously, I conducted investigations related to people’s mental health condition and their different social backgrounds. I want to combine my interest in education, sociology, and environmental studies to research how environmental awareness can be raised for different social groups regarding their specific issues. Though I may not know what the future holds, I have a strong confidence in myself that the academic contributions I make, orally or on paper, can make a positive difference in society.

Beyond my academic aspirations, I would like to constantly challenge my limits while exploring what lies beyond my horizon. As an artist myself, I would like to use my music and dance performances, including some of my original ones, to foster an enjoyable and inclusive community to live in. Currently, music is a way for me to foster mental wellness. Two of my friends even walked through their hard times in mental health illnesses with the company of my songs. At the same time, dance has been a medium for me to celebrate diverse cultures worldwide. Combining dance elements around the world, one of my choreographed pieces brought a large group of audience with a multicultural view and appreciation. Witnessing those notable impacts I made, I am encouraged to walk further on this journey. When entering Richmond’s community, I would like to explore new styles and art forms further, fostering a sense of intrinsic and extrinsic harmony. Aside from engaging in performing arts, I also participated in Deaf culture sharing groups and taught adopted Chinese American Mandarin. Those hands-on experiences provided me a new kind of passion founded on practical approaches. I am also eager to take the initiative in leading community activities, such as mental health well-being support groups, as well as disability services.