Caroline is a first-year graduate student in the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs. She began serving as the coordinator of the Truman Youth Leadership Academy in January 2020. Before beginning graduate school at the Truman School, Caroline earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Human Services and Sociology.
Originally from Sedalia, Missouri, Caroline has been living in Columbia since her freshman year at Columbia College. Caroline is a first-year graduate student in the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs. While an undergrad, through campus organizations and her majors, she realized that she had a love for service and the non-profit industry. However, Caroline also had the opportunity to be a First-Year Mentor at CC, inciting her love for educational program planning and facilitation.
Through the First-Year Mentor position at Columbia College, Caroline was given the opportunity to teach in a classroom setting, facilitate ice breakers, and lead numerous other events that were held on campus. While in the classroom, she had the opportunity to teach students about different resources on campus along with how to excel in college. From this experience, her excitement for working with students has grown. This position taught Caroline a tremendous amount of leadership skills that she has brought to the Truman Youth Leadership Academy.
More recently, Caroline has taken her passion for teaching and service to Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean Mountain, in Morrilton, Arkansas. In this position, she led hikes, games, and service projects; taught outdoor education sessions; facilitated group challenge courses, and practiced lesson planning and teaching skills for campers ages 6-18. During this experience, Caroline learned that even though organization and planning are important, there is also a need to be flexible when it comes to unexpected situations. This adaptability and willingness to help will be put to use for the Academy.
She now works as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Institute of Public Policy, where she does general research tasks, including entering data, creating report forms, editing and writing policy briefs, and working in the grant writing process.
Caroline’s passion for educating individuals has led her to the Truman Youth Leadership Academy. She is excited to use her passions and skills to help educate the Truman Youth Leadership Academy students on civic engagement, community and public service, and leadership.