AU Unfiltered isn't just a showcase of who we are — it's a call to see each other fully, to go beyond the surface, and to recognize the depth in every story on campus.

This project is about showing the authentic, multifaceted lives of students while challenging the stereotypes that tend to stick. My goal is to use personal stories to break down barriers, build empathy, and foster an inclusive space where people feel seen.

Putting this project together has been a meaningful experience. Sitting down with people, I've been privileged to hear stories about their struggles, identities, and personal victories that they might otherwise keep hidden. Through photography and narrative, I'm able to capture the sides of people that you don't see in everyday interactions.

Each storyteller participated in an in-depth conversation and portrait session. The process was intentional — creating a space that felt safe enough for people to share their authentic selves, without performance or pretense. Every story was crafted collaboratively, ensuring the storyteller's voice remained at the center.

AU Unfiltered reached several hundred peers across the American University community. The results speak to the power of authentic storytelling: 100% of participants reported feeling more seen and valued after sharing their stories. Among audience members, approximately 70% said the project helped them understand perspectives different from their own.

More than just a project, I want this to be a resource for AU. I envision faculty using it in classrooms — not just to teach diversity, but to discuss cultural competency, empathy, and the importance of inclusion in real-world terms. I hope it becomes a resource that people refer to, learn from, and carry with them.

I want AU Unfiltered to reach everyone on campus — not just students but faculty, prospective students, and the wider community — because our stories deserve to be told and understood. I envision this project living as both a digital photojournal and in the future, a physical exhibition, adding QR codes that link to video interviews or extended stories. By creating an interactive element, I hope to expand each story and give people the chance to really connect with it, almost like sitting across from that person and hearing them directly.

This partnership not only provides a platform for amplifying marginalized voices but also reinforces AU's commitment to innovative, student-driven initiatives that can make a lasting impact. Through my work with AU Unfiltered, I hope to demonstrate just how essential this program is — not only for my project but for any student hoping to bring forth meaningful change through dialogue and understanding.

For me, AU Unfiltered isn't just a showcase of who we are; it's a call for people to see each other fully, to go beyond the surface, and to recognize the depth in every story on campus.

This work was originally made possible through my role as a Student Partner with AU's Center for Teaching, Research & Learning (CTRL) — a program that supported projects like this by providing both the resources and the freedom of expression necessary to explore impactful storytelling. In this role, I was able to access guidance and creative latitude that allowed me to focus on stories often overlooked or misrepresented.

It's a role I believe deserved continued support, as it empowered students to pursue projects that showcase diverse perspectives and experiences on campus, fostering a richer, more inclusive community.