Year at Pitt: Senior
Major: Film Studies/Pre-med, minors in Neuroscience and Chemistry
You’re a really active student on campus, what are you involved in?
On campus, I am a resident assistant for a group of amazing freshmen women, I am a co-founder and co-president of Project Potter, a Harry Potter-theme service organization, I am a PITTARTS Host, and an undergraduate researcher at the Learning Research and Development Center.
Of the things you’re involved in, which is your favorite and why?
Leading Project Potter, mostly because it’s my baby in the sense that I helped create it with my best friends and I’ve watched it grow into its significance. I love seeing how Project Potter has brought people together and influenced the community in more ways than we could ever have imagined!
So since you are Pre-Med, what pulls you to the medical field?
I grew up with frequent hospital visits, I have sickle-cell disease, and was positively impacted by the work of the pediatricians, surgeons, and the nurses that treated me. Even from the perspective of someone with a chronic disease, I’m still in awe with what the body can do and I want to be on the frontlines leading a team of clinicians to treat others the way that I’ve been treated #goldenrule
So why did you choose a Film Arts major as opposed to the traditional biology, pre-med, etc. route?
I began as a traditional science major and a film studies minor, but fell in love with film classes/department. Another side of health that I find myself in is health advocacy. The power of images and sound to inform, motivate, and gather audiences can be utilized in amazing ways. In order to make films, you have to understand film. Around sophomore year, I heard of the documentary Code Black (2013), made by a Pitt Med student, and was inspired to follow in his footsteps. I am interested in making video advocacy campaigns and medical documentaries to shed light on diseases that need more support, like sickle-cell, as well as issues and communities that need more advocates.
I’m a huge fan of the Arts as well, do you have any suggestions for students who love art but don’t know where to go or how to get involved on campus?
I would suggest finding student or departmental organizations centered around your particular form of art, Facebook is a great place to start!
Pitt Arts (pittarts.org) is also a wonderful organization to get involved in the Pittsburgh Arts scene. At every event, there is an opportunity to meet the artists (directors, dancers, writers, conductors, etc.) and possibly connect/network with them one-on-one. A lot of these professionals are local, which is perfect for a Pitt student! Seek out internships through specific Pittsburgh organizations or galleries. The Pittsburgh arts scene is amazing and needs your creativity!
If you could be any animal what would you be and why?
I was once told that a reason that a panther is Pitt’s mascot is because they only attack when attacked, so I think I’d be a Panther.
What’s your favorite holiday or celebration?
Halloween, I’m a big horror fan (haunted houses, films, etc.) and I love the notion of being someone or something else for a night. Also, candy.
What’s your favorite thing about Pitt?
It has so much character!! From Cathy, to “alleghenee, genec, genac, genac,” to its people, Pitt is just always interesting and always entertaining.
Are you afraid of anything?
Skeletor and Snake Mountain from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. It’s a long story!
Do you have a favorite sports team and if so, who and why?
I mostly follow tennis, so I have favorite athletes! Novak Djokovic, because his tennis is so much fun to watch and his resilience in every part of his life is truly inspiring.
What’s your opinion on the student body with respect to inclusion of racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minorities? (Do you feel Pitt students are inclusive?)
I’m constantly amazed by how far Pitt has come in making important inclusion on campus since I’ve been a freshman. Recent movements like It’s On Us, the Hail to Diversity council, and the Black Lives Matter movement on campus are finding support from so many different parts of the student body. Not only this, but students are recognizing and openly speaking out against discrimination within the student body and higher up (see the Black Panther Mean Tweets and Progressive Flow). And there have been changes, like the implementation of gender neutral housing, but we still have strides to make to equally recognize the student body. I’m proud to be a Pitt Panther.
What’s one thing about Pitt that you would change if you were able?
The way student organizations are treated. It’s hard out here for a student org.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve had to do as an RA?
I guess planning a program and having no one show up is embarrassing!!
How do you feel about graduating? Can you believe it’s only three (or so) months away?
Last semester I was feeling really upset about leaving friends, Cathy, and Oakland, but now I’m ready to get this show on the road because senioritis is finally kicking in and it’s kicking strong.
Thanks for chatting with us and being such a wonderful member of the University community, is there anything you else you want to mention about yourself? :
I just want to thank you for thinking of me for this interview. You’re an incredible person!
As you can all see, Lola is an inspiring and outstanding member of the panther community. We wish her the best of luck with med school! Keep an eye out for this lady on campus and in the future. She’s going to do great things. (Terrible yes, but great~… just kidding, she’s just a huge potter fan, so I had to.)
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