Introducing Our New Graduate Student Intern!
Meet Destiny and learn more about her role:
Destiny joined optiMize as the new Innovation Theme Community Student Engagement Coordinator Graduate Intern. Being exposed to entrepreneurship her entire life, Destiny is excited to combine this passion with her career path in higher education. We are excited to see how Destiny transforms our ITC programming through her experiences.
What drew you to optiMize and how did you first hear about it?
“I have always grown up around entrepreneurship. Even though I’ve never started my own business before, I’ve had an interest. Also, as a student currently in a Master's in Higher-Ed program, this role gives me great experience working in student affairs.”
What excites you about social innovation and the SIC itself?
“It’s amazing to see how people started their journey in college to where they finish. I also enjoy creating a safe and welcoming environment where students can be engaged. A lot of us come from different places and different walks of life, so I enjoy doing things that can bring students together and make their experience on campus better.”
What inspires you? How does that apply to your role?
“The number one thing that I have always said that inspires me is my little brothers (they are all a foot taller than me). Watching them grow up, seeing how they experience the world, and knowing they look up to me inspires me to be better and make the best decisions. I see my inspiration integrating into my role. Some students may have someone who may be inspiring them to also want to do better and make changes, addressing the problems around them. Some don’t. I think that a part of optiMize is not just challenging issues that affect you personally, but also caring about the issues of the people who are around you and that you may see.”
What was your path before you joined optiMize, and what brought you here?
“Before optiMize I have worked a few full-time jobs while living in Lansing. In undergrad, I studied Public Relations and Strategic Communication at Oakland University. I was the PR Director and Historian for our PR Organization, PRSSA. I was also a Resident Assistant, Desk Attendant, Orientation Assistant, Orientation Group Leader, CORE Ambassador for the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, and Director of Student Advocacy for Oakland’s Student Congress. Those positions brought me here because they really showed how much I love working to keep students engaged with their community, their major or future career, and, of course, their school.”
Outside of optiMize, what are some things we should know about you?
“I have 3 younger brothers and I love serving my community and staying involved in my sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha … In 2021, I won Oakland University’s CMI Keeper of the Dream Award. I also won Oakland University’s Matilda Wilson Award in 2024.”
What will Destiny be working on?
Destiny is working on reimagining our Innovation Theme Community, a hohsing community that is run by optiMize on campus. Learn more about the Innovation Theme community through our blog post this upcoming Monday!