Things to know about Angelica
Angel was born and raised in the Lowcountry of South Carolina along with her two younger brothers and twin sister. She is about to graduate from Anderson University, where she studied English and History. Angel is passionate about helping people thrive, whether that be through the publishing industry, working as a tutor, or aiding nonprofits. She recently accepted a job as a Customer Support Analyst at Blackbaud in Daniel Island, SC, where she will be helping amazing and dedicated people who work at private schools to achieve their goals. In her free time she loves spending time with her family and friends, being involved in her church community, and eating at as many Charleston restaurants as she can.
“Because of ISI, I have thought critically and deeply about the principles that inform the way I live, both in and out of the political sphere, and have encountered professors and peers much more knowledgeable than I who shared their wisdom with me and shaped the way I see the world.”
How did you find out about ISI?
I found out about ISI through my good friend and ISI Honors Program alum Meg Campbell Sanders, who encouraged me to apply for the Summer Conference at Villanova University in 2013. As soon as the conference began, I was drawn to the way ISI challenged me to really evaluate what I believe and why I believe it, as well as to the rigorous intellectual discussion that both students and professors engaged in. I was amazed that students from all across the country were willingly giving up weeks out of their summers to come together and discuss the deeper truths that undergird existence. After that conference, I participated in a couple more colloquiums and then applied for the Honors Program.
If you had to choose one highlight of your undergraduate experience, what would it be?
Serving as the Editor in Chief of my campus’ ninety-one year old publication Ivy Leaves Journal of Literature and Art during my senior year has to be one of the neatest opportunities I have ever had during my undergraduate career. I was able to lead an amazing and hard-working group of people to put together a publication that showcased the best work from the many talented writers and artists that we have Anderson University. Through the process I was really pushed out of my comfort zone and grown not only as a leader but as a person.
What have you valued most about your ISI experience?
One of the things I have valued most about my experience with ISI has been the way it has grown me in my own convictions. Because of ISI, I have thought critically and deeply about the principles that inform the way I live, both in and out of the political sphere, and have encountered professors and peers much more knowledgeable than I who shared their wisdom with me and shaped the way I see the world.
How have you spent your summers while in college?
The summer of my freshman year I spent at home, and then my sophomore and junior summers I spent doing internships in the Charleston area. My sophomore summer I interned at a small, independent publishing company, and my junior summer I interned at a nonprofit. This summer I will spend a little time relaxing and regrouping before I begin working full time in June.
Whom do you admire most, and why?
The person whom I most admire is my mom. She has been through so much and has come out on the other side stronger and more joyful, and has shared her faith with each of her children. I truly would not be where I am today without her selflessness and encouragement.
What advice would you give to other students who want to preserve the principles of liberty?
Have a strong community of people who share your same beliefs that can support you and challenge you as you go out into a world that is increasingly hostile to Conservative principles. I would also encourage everyone who wants to defend and preserve the principles of liberty on their campuses to get involved with ISI: it has a wealth of resources, whether it be through helping you start a conservative publication, sending you literature, getting you in contact with top-notch professors, or simply connecting you with peers who are defending the same things you are. It’s an uphill battle fighting for goodness, truth, and beauty in academia, but it is a battle that does not have to be faced alone.
