My creative practice is grounded in storytelling, community, and purpose. As a photographer and student leader, I have learned that impactful creative spaces are built not only through artistic skill, but through thoughtful leadership, mentorship, and sustainable business practices. I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Creative Business Leadership at SCAD to gain the leadership and entrepreneurial tools necessary to bring my long-term vision to life and to prepare for future roles in higher education.

My professional goal is to establish a camp/retreat center that also operates as a photography studio and creative hub. During the summer, the camp would host faith-centered programming focused on community, creativity, and personal growth. In the off-season, the property would function as a year-round creative retreat space, offering photography workshops, retreats, residencies, and studio sessions that integrate artistic practice with stillness and reflection.

In addition to entrepreneurship, I aspire to one day serve as a professor at SCAD, mentoring students at the intersection of imagination, leadership, and professional practice. The Creative Business Leadership program is essential to this goal, as it provides the strategic, interdisciplinary perspective needed to teach students how to navigate real-world business challenges while maintaining artistic integrity.

While my background has equipped me with strong skills and broadened perspectives, building a business of this scale, and guiding others in doing the same, requires advanced training in leadership, entrepreneurship, and organizational strategy. The Creative Business Leadership curriculum directly supports these goals through its emphasis on applied learning, strategic thinking, and creative enterprise management.

For my master’s capstone project, I plan to develop a comprehensive business and leadership plan for the proposed camp/creative retreat center. This capstone will address branding, operations, programming, financial planning, and community impact, serving as both a practical launch blueprint and a future teaching case study.

Ultimately, I aspire to be an artistic leader who builds spaces where people feel seen, loved, inspired, and connected. The Creative Business Leadership degree will equip me to lead with integrity and transform a faith-rooted creative vision into a sustainable enterprise that serves artists and communities alike.