My three core skills – Communication, Critical Thinking, and Leadership- have been developed across every area of my life: the Navy, my legal career, and my academic work at ODU. Each skill is supported by artifacts that demonstrate not just what I can do, but how I think.

Communication

Effective communication means more than writing clearly; it means reaching people. In my ENGL 114L course, I reimagined Toni Morrison’s Beloved as a fan fiction set in 2093, translating deeply emotional themes into an original narrative for a new audience. My WordPress site from ENGL 307T and my discussion posts in IDS 493 further demonstrate my ability to communicate ideas across different formats and to different audiences.

Artifacts: Fan Fiction Project (ENGL 114L) | WordPress Site (ENGL 307T) | Discussion Posts (IDS 493

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to look beneath the surface. My reflection essay on Beloved required me to analyze Morrison’s treatment of memory, trauma, and the lasting effects of slavery – not just describe them. My interactive project from ENGL 307T and my portfolio reflection essay pushed me to evaluate and synthesize ideas rather than simply report them.

Artifacts: Reflection Essay on Beloved | Interactive Project (ENGL 307T) | Portfolio Reflection Essay

Leadership

Leadership is not always a title; sometimes it is a choice to tell stories that matter. My ENGL 307T WordPress site, dedicated to women veterans, is the clearest expression of leadership in this portfolio. It was a personal decision rooted in my own service in the Navy, and it reflects the kind of leadership that grows from lived experience and a responsibility to give voice to others.

Artifacts: Women Veterans WordPress Site (ENGL 307T)