As I reflect on my path to higher education, my journey was not a traditional one. In the beginning, it was rather challenging to navigate. As a first-generation college student, I found myself walking across the stage at my high school graduation without ever having a conversation about college, trade school, or merely the next steps of my life. I was completely clueless about what my future held. I honestly did not know that anything else should have occurred.
I recall going on campus one Saturday and seeing the cafeteria packed with students. I inquired and was told it was for those taking the ACT, students being prepared to enter college. I was completely confused. I had a strong GPA and had taken some challenging courses, yet I wasn’t considered “college-ready” and therefore was excluded from even being told about the opportunity.
Being raised in a small rural town where race mattered left me feeling quite discombobulated by the pronounced racial divides. Two days following my graduation, I left my hometown and immediately encountered diversity from an all-encompassing perspective. People from different countries, places I had only studied but could not imagine, languages I had never heard spoken; some with degrees from colleges in areas I did not know existed, and others with no formal education but wisdom beyond their years. These encounters changed my perspective on life, and I began to visualize the endless opportunities that awaited me.
The time for change had come, and approximately four years after my high school graduation, I applied for admission and was accepted into a university; thus, starting my passion for higher education. My college experience left an indelible impact. The faculty who cared but challenged me to learn and grow, the academic advisors who provided consistent guidance, and the organizations in which I became involved all gave me insight into a different reality.
As graduation approached, I knew my next logical step would be graduate school. Being enrolled in a full-time graduate program and employed full-time was the best and most fulfilling experience. I had found my love, my passion, my place in this world in higher education, but had yet to realize it was my future.
I began my career path working in Corporate America and did quite well. However, there was an unsettling void, something was missing, but what could possibly be wrong? I finished college, was employed in an exciting position with a great salary, yet a few years later, I recognized that my heart was not content. I started researching careers, did some soul-searching, and realized that I missed being in higher education. I missed working with college students. I missed contributing to others finding their path. I missed being in an academic setting, an environment that is ever-changing, one in which growth was not optional, but inevitable. I missed all that higher education embodied.
Eventually, I moved across the country and returned to working in higher education, the best career decision I could have ever made. Years after being in higher education and working at various institutions, I have become more aware of the divergent combinations of policies and systems that establish, guide, and impact universities, and I find that I am fascinated by all that higher education entails. I decided to stop allowing circumstances to paralyze me. No longer would I wonder how I would perform on the GRE or if I did well or not. I knew that standardized tests did not define the totality of my professional or personal experiences in life. I decided that I would stop being concerned about returning to the classroom 17 years later and questioning if I would be successful after solely focusing on my career. Therefore, I decided to pursue my doctoral degree. I took the GRE, submitted my application, and was admitted into the program of my choice. I finished my program in 4 1/2 years and loved every moment because this degree was for me. I’m grateful for the experience. Although it was not without challenges—I faced some microaggressions, some spoke negatively about and to me, and some of the classes challenged me—I was determined to succeed. The difficulties provided the passion and grit I needed to push beyond the barriers, stereotypes, and naysayers, and I earned my Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.
Reflecting on my journey from an overlooked high school student to earning a Ph.D., I’ve learned that the path to success is rarely straightforward. No matter how many obstacles you face—whether it’s a lack of support, racial tensions, or self-doubt—there is always a way forward. My story is a testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams, and yours can be too.
To anyone who feels unseen or unheard, remember this, your potential is limitless. You have the power to break barriers, to defy expectations, and to carve out your own path. Every challenge you encounter is an opportunity to grow stronger and more determined to continue writing your story and achieve what’s most important to you.
Do not allow anyone or anything to dictate your path or what you can achieve. Seek mentors, embrace the vast differences in the world, education, and industry, and stay committed to your goals. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and most importantly, believe in yourself. Your dreams are worth every effort, every setback, and every moment of doubt.
As I look back on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the challenges that shaped me and the triumphs that helped to define me. I hope that my story inspires you to chase your dreams with unwavering determination. No matter where you start, you have the power to rise above all that life will throw your way and achieve greatness.
So, take that first step, and keep moving forward. Your future is waiting, and it’s brighter than you can imagine.
