2021 Stabler Donor Impact Report R4

ARTS AND SCIENCES Name: Isabella Foster Hometown: Hampstead, NH Major: Molecular Biology Class: 2023 Favorite activity: Lehigh Dance Team Favorite faculty or staff: Professor Eunice Cortez, Modern Languages & Literatures Dream job: Optometrist I have been inspired to excel by the many opportunities that have been made available to me. The classes I have taken have exposed me to many different topics, people, and perspectives which have undoubtedly expanded my interests and knowl- edge. My work study job as a building supervisor at the Univer- sity Center has afforded me various professional development opportunities along with the structure to thoroughly explore my learning, communication, and leadership styles. Working as part of this collaborative team made me want to share my experience and knowledge of Lehigh with others. In this way, I applied for and was promoted to a supervisor position, and this is a role that I will step into this fall. When I arrived at Lehigh, I was quite focused on research and molecular biology but had not yet identified a career path. Through my classes, experiences, and alumni connections, I have begun to focus on becoming an optometrist. In addition to con- necting with an optometrist that graduated from Lehigh and ex- ploring everything I will need to do to gain entry to an optometry school, I have secured a shadowing opportunity for the summer. This will allow me to spend one day per week shadowing and learning from a local optometrist. I am excited and energized by this opportunity, and I am looking forward to all that I will learn. Another adventure that I am working on is preparing to study abroad in Spain for a semester next year. I am currently enrolled in two Spanish classes, which I am sure will help me toward fluency prior to next year’s spring semester. In support of my career and future goals, Lehigh has challenged me to overcome academic, personal, and professional obstacles. I have strengthened my ability to think critically, decide thoughtfully, and always put my best foot forward. The personal growth I have experienced as a member of the Lehigh community has been exponential and life changing. My family has always placed great value on supporting the community, helping others, and giving back. This value was instilled in me as a priority at a very young age. Throughout my life, I have found that giving back fills me with a sense of purpose and makes me feel whole. From volunteering to organizing events to regularly donating blood, I find that with each act of selflessness, I experience a sense of joy knowing that I’m helping others in need. For me, giving back is about pro- moting and supporting positive experiences and change for others. My family has struggled through COVID-19, especially when scraping up the funds to pay for such an outstanding education. I am so grateful to all the donors who care about students like me who need the financial support to continue to succeed through higher education. Thank you.