As a first generation student, I was always taught that knowledge is power. The first priority in our life would be education because it would be what freed us from the confines of what previous generations endured. I am committed to fostering that intellect, individuality, and excitement that students deserve when it comes to pursuing their goals. I understand the road blocks, the exhaustion, the frustrations, and I want to do my best to make those disappear.
I was bullied in school for my brown skin and embarrassed by teachers for not speaking English at home. It turns out that ethics and judgement are skewed when attending school in a city ranked, “one of the whitest in America.” Those learning environments were privileged, and yet personally unapproachable and uninspiring due to the stereotypes surrounding my ethnicity. If it was not language it was appearance. If not appearance, it was my cultural or religious beliefs. I learned I would need to fight to foster my individuality and intellect. There was always something that didn’t sit right with my peers and I knew I was not alone. I had many family and friends who experienced the same marginalization. We promised ourselves that we wouldn’t let the burden of these prejudices distract us from reaching our goals. Today, whether in academic or professional settings, I speak out on instances of discrimination and injustice. It is because I have embraced my identity that I use such instances as a moment to teach, spread mindfulness, and engage in my community to stifle the divisions we've sought to end for centuries
This is why I believe knowledge is power. We are working together to bring all students up to speed in a educational system that does not work to do that on its own. Despite this being the case, I know that we can work together to garner your individual potential to not only work closely and successfully amid your peers but to ignite confidence and leadership in academic and professional settings to come!