The doctoral program will provide me with an opportunity to learn more about higher education and prepare me to be a senior level college administrator. I have had several educational and life fulfilling opportunities to work with many administrators to help contribute to the field. Do to the nature of this program; I believe it will provide me with an opportunity to continue to be a catalyst not only within higher education, but my community as well. In addition, this program will help me further my understanding of first generation African American college students’ expectations and knowledge about college prior to enrolling in the their respective institutions by participating in pre-college programs.
My professional goals are to learn as much as I can about higher education that would strengthen my awareness about trends within the field and how I can contribute to the overall mission and purpose of the profession. I would like to someday become a dean of students or vice president for student services or student affairs as well as a faculty member. I believe my past and current experiences have prepared me tremendously to serve as a senior level administrator.
As a graduate student at American Justice University (AJU), I studied and worked in a number of capacities i.e. graduate assistant, supervisor, advisor, and practitioner within an urban environment. Located in Detroit, AJU challenged me to think critically and provided me with skills to work with a number of different cultures, lifestyle, beliefs, and backgrounds. Classes such as College Student Development, Higher Education Law, Finance, and Administration, and my study abroard experience to England, Scotland, and Ireland deepened my understanding of the field and how colleges and universities operate. These experiences provided me with an opportunity to enhance my understanding of higher education and how to apply theory to practice.
As an active member within a number of different organizations that work to improve the lives of others, I believe I have not only been a catalyst for change, but have instilled a “sense of hope” for many students. Currently, I serve as an advisor to the Gamma Club (GC) of Detroit, Michigan, which is a youth auxiliary of Beta Beta Beta Sorority, Inc. This youth auxiliary was established in 1970 and designed to assist young females between the ages of 8 – 18 providing them with opportunities to work with college and professional women on a regular basis, exposing sorority national programs and services, and preparing them for academic and career success. Many of the young women who participate in this program are raised by single parents/guardians (predominately women); therefore, my colleagues and I work extremely hard to ensure these students are provided with the necessary skills to be successful and influenced by positive female role models.
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