Cultivating Curiosity
Hailing from Wisconsin, I never could have anticipated the unforgettable journey I would soon embark on in Indiana. Attending Valparaiso University (2018-2022), I pursued a BA in Psychology and Spanish, a Humanities minor, and was a Christ College Scholar (Interdisciplinary Honors College), while playing Division I Women’s Golf all four years.
In the summer of 2021, I was fortunate to study abroad in Costa Rica, where I lived with a host family, took a Spanish course at Universidad Veritas, and volunteered as a Spanish & Psychology Intern at Hogar de la Esperanza (Home of Hope). Here, I had the unparalleled opportunity to empathetically converse and build rapport with Spanish-speaking HIV residents, many identifying as LGBTQ+, who have navigated challenging situations such as drug and alcohol addictions, mental health issues, histories of trauma and abuse, sexual violence, incarceration, and more. Participating in educational and vocational programs, music and spiritual therapy, and kitchen and garden communal projects were life-altering learning experiences that I am eternally thankful for.
Blessed with a rigorous student-athlete college experience, my passion for the profound value of a lifelong learning journey is deeply rooted. I have bilingual fluency in Spanish and English—and aspire to learn another language. Also, I am a member of The Phi Beta Kappa Society, Eta of Indiana Chapter; Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society; and Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, which all present me with exclusive content, career advice, and educational and scholarship opportunities.
Continued Learning & Career
Now, what drew me to Orr Fellowship and Indianapolis? As I approached graduation, I was still unsure about what career path was right for me—and I felt uncomfortable that I needed to make this pivotal choice at 22 years old.
Orr Fellowship offers a unique path for emerging young professionals striving to build real-life work experience and influence their community footprint. It is an unmatched personal and professional growth opportunity and platform to create positive change. Orr Fellowship prides itself on community impact, continued learning, career exploration, and leadership training: It is an honor to serve, grow, and lead alongside this dedicated, passionate, humble, talented community of lifelong learners.
From March 2023 to April 2024, I cherish serving as Programming & Education (P&E) Coordinator for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Fellow Leadership Team (started as a member in July 2022). It is a privilege to contemplate real-world challenges alongside my team and to strive to make the spaces we inhabit and the cultural events we plan more accessible. With my team, I have spearheaded planning events and sharing resources celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Pride Month, Juneteenth, Mental Health Awareness, and Be Kind to HumanKind Week, as well as hosting our Annual Fellows-Giving Potluck and Keynote Speaker events. During the 2022 and 2023 recruitment seasons, I also embraced the role of DEI Ambassador for the Valparaiso University Orr Recruitment Team, advocating for inclusive and equitable tactics and establishing foundational relationships with diverse student organizations and departments.
From October 2022 until assuming my P&E leadership position, I was also a member of the Continued Learning (CL) Team. Initially, I joined as a DEI Liaison with CL, where I promoted and upheld a DEI lens with CL events and bridged the communication gap between these groups. Researching, writing, designing, and emailing the CL monthly informative newsletter was another creative responsibility of mine on the CL Team.
Outside of team involvement, I have delighted in playing on an Orr Fellowship CCA soccer team over multiple seasons. Recently, I am appreciative to have utilized part of my Skills Enhancement Stipend to complete a one-week live conference titled “The 6 Principles Workshop” by TESOL International Association (formerly Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages). Looking forward, I am enthusiastic about engaging with Orr Fellowship Non-Profit Consulting (NPC) this spring to continue to build my connections with local organizations and explore my interest in working within the nonprofit sector.
Next, my Partner Company! I am proud to work at CREA, LLC (a low-income housing tax credit syndicator) with the unrivaled opportunity to rotate every six months through departments—Marketing, Legal, Credit & Underwriting, and Syndications—which has enriched and diversified my professional skills development. I value immersing myself in the company culture: I participate in three Employee Resource Groups and our Summer Book Club, as well as organized a Volunteer Day with Indy Reads last year. To tell our story to a broader audience, I translated our 2022 CREA Social Impact Report into its inaugural Spanish version.
Commitment to Community
Beyond Orr Fellowship and CREA, I am devoted to community engagement, volunteerism with non-profits, and learning from and appreciating diverse perspectives.
Since November 2022, I have had the privilege of being a Big Sister/Youth Mentor to my 10-year-old Little Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. We meet for at least 6 hours per month, attending and planning unique events. As a mentor and friend, it is imperative to be conscientious of our different backgrounds and open to new avenues to help my Little maximize her potential and positively grow our match. Her resiliency to persevere through multidimensional poverty, joined with an inquisitive spirit, inspires me.
Since September 2022, I thoroughly enjoy volunteering at Indy Reads (a local Indianapolis non-profit funding free adult literacy courses, striving for 100% literacy for all), both in their bookstore and as a bilingual tutor in English-Language-Learner Conversation Circles. Recently, I am thrilled to join their Spanish Conversation Circles, where I will continue to practice my bilingual language skills as an active participant.
Moreover, I am pleased to return to my roots and teach golf lessons to adult women in the area, implementing unique lesson plans to nurture skill development and foster a love of the game. It makes me happy to give back to the golf community and share my passion.Reflecting on post-Orr goals, I am open to diverse career paths. Mission-driven non-profit organizations pique my interest, both professionally and for volunteerism. Higher education is an option to further develop my interdisciplinary studies. I will continue to seek opportunities with Spanish-speaking communities to foster intercultural understanding, such as pursuing Fulbright for an English Teaching Assistantship. My enduring desire to support others’ growth requires cultural humility and a hunger to deepen my learning.
Written by Payton Hodson
