Starting in 2018, I turned my passion for printmaking into a small business. MMcKCreative is my little print shop where I sell original lino cut and silk screen cards and prints. I love finding inspiration from the photographs I take on my Nikon when traveling around the country and the world.

In January of 2017, I realized that research would not be enough for me. I had been studying refugee populations and various health outcomes and felt incomplete. I wanted to do more. I immediately set out to get involved with the refugee population in Columbus Ohio. This is where I was connected with the folks at the Capital Park Community Center, whose main clients were Somali refugees. Working with the individuals who frequented the center was such an exciting and meaningful experience. I originally started helping with the citizenship preparation classes, but branched out to tutor math, english, and help high school students prepare college applications.

Since moving to Baltimore, Maryland in April 2022, I decided to get back into volunteering following the COVID-19 pandemic. I found a great organization that marries both my love of horses and helping my community. The City Ranch is a non-profit dedicated to providing accessible and affordable horseback riding that develops positive character in children through the joys and responsibilities of horsemanship. As a volunteer, I get to teach riding lessons to beginners and I have plenty of time taking care of the horses. There is never a boring day at the Ranch.

The year is 2011, I am in my second year of undergrad at Ohio State. I had always dabbled in sports, but definitely focused my time on academics. In an effort to try something new, with new people, and new skills, I tried my shot at rowing. After a fall and spring season, I came away with a new found strength to push myself and focus on the finish. I made many new friends, one of which was an avid runner. Sheridan convinced me to make the switch and I traded rowing for running. Ever since, I have considered running the ultimate fixer for all problems. When I am stuck on an idea or not sure where to focus, I lace up my New Balances and head out for a 1, 2, 5, or 10 mile run. In 2014 I finished my first marathon and immediately decided I would go for the fifty state challenge. 5 years later, Sheridan and I have tackled 8 marathons together and counting. We can tell you the best (Buffalo, my first, will forever be my favorite) and the worst (avoid Pittsburgh, the hills are monstrous and never ending). I love running, talking about running, and convincing (but not pushing) people to try it out. Don’t worry, if you are a loather of running, I will not judge.

March 2021 marked the 1-year anniversary of the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to uplift myself after a weird year full of heavy loss, anxiety, confusion, and the unknown, I committed myself to a new project—Toast Month. Now an annual event, March becomes a month where all my creativity is fired up to create unique and new toasts daily. At first, I was using sliced bread from the grocery store and peanut butter from a jar, but now I am baking my own bread, looking up recipes to make my own ingredients, and fielding suggestions from friends and toast admirers all over. I try to come up with good toast names and I make sure people know every single ingredient that finds its way onto the bread. Will I ever make a cookbook? That’s the goal! But…isn’t that on everyone’s list at some point in their culinary career?

Starting my first year of graduate school, I realized I needed something to challenge my body and mind together to keep my sanity in check. Enter: yoga. I love waking up at 5:30am to get my day started with a fast vinyasa flow. In 2017, I decided to take the next step and complete my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at V Power Yoga. After graduating, I started teaching a morning vinyasa flow at V Power and branched out to teach a mixed flow at The Art of Yoga and Cliff Wellness in Columbus, Ohio and as a guest instructor at Genesee Dance Studio in Perry, New York. I love sharing my practice with students and seeing their growth over time.