Hope is a citizen of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe and belongs to the Deer Clan. Her native name is Mèchësa, meaning “Spark of Flame or Firestarter.”
Hope is a senior in the School of Continuing Studies with a concentration in Individualized Studies. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Indian Tourism Association, which promotes Indigenous cultures within the state. Her former leadership roles include President of the American Indian Society of Washington, DC, Board of Directors and Treasurer for the non-profit Indigenous Vision, and Board of Advisors for the Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians. In 2020, she was awarded Adult of the Year by the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs.
After graduating, she looks forward to enrolling in a master’s program in higher education. In her downtime, she enjoys singing, traveling, writing plays, and serving as a conductor on the Bunderground Railroad, which transports rabbits and small animals to rescue, foster and furever homes.