When I interviewed with Mount Holyoke College, the Associate Director of the Frances Perkins Scholar program, Nichole Reynolds, shared with me, “Attending this school can be a transformative experience if you allow it to be.” The words that she spoke were the guiding force behind the ways in which I approached my junior year. The 2016-2017 school year has been the most transformative year of my academic life thus far. Indeed, I stepped out of my cocoon and forced myself to stretch; no matter how uncomfortable or the amount of fear that I felt, I pushed towards new experiences that helped to construct the person I was becoming.
First, after much consideration, I officially declared my self-design major in Black Geographies with the support of my academic advising team. Designing my own curriculum has empowered me to partake in interdisciplinary research, creating a hybrid of rich proficiencies that make me a sturdier and more attentive student. Also, my scholarly interests are intersectional in nature, therefore, having a cross-pollination of the multiple academic areas to which …show more content…
Certainly, I am appreciative that she has remained as a robust force of love and encouragement almost 900 miles away. Being apart from my beloved hometown of Chicago has been exceedingly difficult. However, knowing that my Bardwell Scholar family is rooting for me and extending their hands keeps me motivated. I am so excited when I receive the newsletter and see all the amazing accomplishments of my Bardwell family. The RBS board and donors remain instrumental in my growth as a scholar and I hope to remain as an example that reflects our motto: “Changing lives one degree at a time.” Transformation comes from the willingness to change and Hedy and the entire RBS family are significant to the new April and the thought leader that I am
First, after much consideration, I officially declared my self-design major in Black Geographies with the support of my academic advising team. Designing my own curriculum has empowered me to partake in interdisciplinary research, creating a hybrid of rich proficiencies that make me a sturdier and more attentive student. Also, my scholarly interests are intersectional in nature, therefore, having a cross-pollination of the multiple academic areas to which …show more content…
Certainly, I am appreciative that she has remained as a robust force of love and encouragement almost 900 miles away. Being apart from my beloved hometown of Chicago has been exceedingly difficult. However, knowing that my Bardwell Scholar family is rooting for me and extending their hands keeps me motivated. I am so excited when I receive the newsletter and see all the amazing accomplishments of my Bardwell family. The RBS board and donors remain instrumental in my growth as a scholar and I hope to remain as an example that reflects our motto: “Changing lives one degree at a time.” Transformation comes from the willingness to change and Hedy and the entire RBS family are significant to the new April and the thought leader that I am