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My amazing family

Kids and a PhD... What was I thinking? When I started applying for doctoral programs, I had just learned that I was pregnant with my first child, a beautiful baby boy Cyan born in 2015. I was literally in labor as I received PhD admissions decisions from universities around the country. Taking a great leap of faith only four months after my son was born, I uprooted my new family and moved to Boston to pursue a PhD in Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts Boston. To say that the experience wasn't trying would be a total lie, but the continual support from my family--especially my husband Anthony--propelled me through the challenges and allowed me to pursue my long-term dreams as I learned how to balance my roles as young mother, up-and-coming professional, and now doctoral student. Upon completing my coursework and receiving two generous grants to complete my dissertation on participatory deliberative democracy in Central America, just in time for the birth of my seco...
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A Village-Wide Endeavor

One of the most individualized, long-term experiences you will ever take on is that of your personal education. As a product of the public school system through and through from elementary all the way up to my doctoral degree, it's easy to fall into the fold of assuming that everyone is walking a similar path. But the schools you attend, the experiences you have along the way, the degree programs you embark upon, are all quite unique. From selecting your courses each semester to finding your key mentors, it is an experience you must build yourself - hour upon hour, event by event. Yet, for all that is self-made and elected in the education long-haul, it truly "takes a village" to complete the full spectrum of degrees that one can obtain in the academic system. As an elementary and secondary student, the reliance you have upon the village is most obvious. Your parents or guardians sacrifice time, money, living arrangements, and attention to ensure that you have the best ...
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