Hometown: Meridian, Mississippi

Current Program: Urban Education Policy

Undergraduate Institution: Mississippi State University

What drew you to the UEP program at Brown? 

I am extremely fortunate for the opportunities that I have been given through educational experiences, but where I am from, this is not necessarily common. Some would even call me “lucky”. But I am not proud to be an anomaly and equal access to education, what is supposed to be the great equalizer, should not be up to “luck” in the United States of America. This is what drew me to the UEP program at Brown. I have always known that education is the field that I am called to. However, my interests are not in teaching in the classroom, but in challenging the systems that govern it. The program’s emphasis on equity aligns with my personal commitment to ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to realize their full potential through education. 

What’s been your favorite UEP class and why?

My favorite two UEP classes, because I cannot pick just one, are “Race and Democracy in Urban Education Policy” with Professor Johnathan Collins and the “Internship Seminar” with Professor Emily Qazilbash. I completed Professor Collins’ course with a better understanding of the politics that policy creates and I appreciate the practicality of Professor Qazilbash’s course. More than this though, Professor Qazilbash’s course created space for me to deeply understand my peers’ perspective. It taught me to value their voices, and Professor Collins’ course created space for me to find and value my own. 

Where is your internship placement and what are you working on?

My internship placement is with The Education Trust in Massachusetts. My work is centered on supporting the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership, a coalition whose mission is to promote education equity for historically underserved students. I add capacity to the organization by supporting advocacy by way of data and policy analysis and research. 

What are you hoping to do after graduation? 

Working with The Education Trust this year has taught me the power of community-based, data-driven advocacy. Upon graduation I hope to start my career by continuing the work that I have begun, advocating for historically underserved students. 

If you could wave a magic wand and fix one challenge in the world of education, what would it be and why? 

Bye-bye, politics! If I could wave a magic wand, education would be completely apolitical, tied to no ulterior motive, political party, or personal ego. Education would only be about students… imagine that. 

I am most passionate about… 

Every child in every neighborhood having equal access to a quality education, good governance, and the State of Mississippi.

— interview by Sam Stockwell UEP'20