Jaden Gaither-Hillard

Preferred Pronouns: She/ Her/Hers

Major: Psychology 

ELSAB Position: Community Outreach Coordinator 

Interests:

I love spending my time outside hiking, canoeing, camping, and traveling. I also enjoy painting and all things art.

Class Year: 2024

Involvement: 

Margaret Boyd Scholars Member, GIVE club board member, Research Assistant with CIRS, Learning Community Leader, and a volunteer with Athens County Children Services. 

Why is experiential learning important to you?

Getting involved outside the classroom is one of the best ways to grow as a student and network. Some of my best memories and educational experiences have been opportunities around campus or within the community. 

How has experiential learning impacted your learning and experience at OHIO?

One of the best things I have learned in college is to take opportunities that come your way and seek the ones you want. Getting involved outside the classroom is one of the most important things a student should do. It can change your perspective, well-being, and success.

Tell us about one of the experiences that you feel demonstrates the power of experiential learning in a real-world context. 

I have been a Research Assistant with the Center for Intervention Research in Schools since my sophomore year. This experience helped me solidify what I wanted to do and allowed me to understand how some research can be conducted. It has been one of the best experiences I have had. 

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I would like to pursue a career centered around children and families and possibly work with kids with educational challenges as well. Traveling and new experiences will always be important to me so I hope to be in a position to do that more in 10 years.