My path to the nonprofit sector did not begin with a single moment of clarity. It began with a pattern: years of sitting across from practitioners, administrators, and community leaders who were trying to make better decisions for the people they served, and realizing that the quality of those decisions depended almost entirely on whether they had access to clear, honest evidence. That realization shaped everything I have done since. For nearly a decade, I have worked at the intersection of education policy, workforce development, and economic mobility, helping institutions translate complex data into strategies that actually reach underserved communities. I have mapped vocational education pathways for adult learners seeking routes into living-wage work. I have facilitated data equity workshops for higher education alliances working to close opportunity gaps. I have evaluated professional development systems and delivered findings to state agencies responsible for the programs that shape whether low-income adults can access meaningful employment. None of this work was glamorous. All of it mattered. What I have learned is that the communities I care most about, people experiencing housing instability, families navigating under-resourced schools, and adults locked out of economic opportunity, are not failed by a lack of good intentions. They are let down by systems that lack the capacity to use evidence effectively, coordinate effectively, or sustain change beyond a single grant cycle. That is the problem I want to spend my career solving. I am pursuing a master's degree in international relations this autumn because I want to scale that work. The challenges of educational inequity, housing insecurity, and economic exclusion do not stop at national borders, and the organizations best positioned to address them operate across contexts I have not yet worked in. This program will give me the analytical frameworks and global perspective needed to apply my project management and policy research skills to a wider range of communities. The nonprofit sector chose me before I fully chose it. I stay because I believe that rigorous, honest, community-centered work is how systems actually change: slowly, with difficulty, and with profound consequence for real people's lives. This scholarship is an investment not just in my education but in the communities whose outcomes depend on having more people in the sector who combine rigorous analytical skills with genuine commitment to equity. I intend to honor that investment through the quality and integrity of the work I do. Thank you!

Drawing on my background in public policy, quantitative data analysis, and technical assistance, my career is dedicated to creating more effective and equitable education and workforce development systems. Much of my experience has centered on leveraging quantitative data analysis, policy analysis, and technical assistance to improve education and workforce pathways. I have worked extensively within adult education programs, focusing on connecting learning to living wage occupations and fostering economic mobility. My work has involved creating novel dashboards and data sets for strategic planning and training practitioners to utilize data effectively. For example, I led workgroups to develop California's first comprehensive adult education program dataset, including creating a data collection process and training practitioners to align courses with occupational data. I also developed a methodology for combining educational programs and labor market data to demonstrate pathways into living wage occupations. This data-driven approach is crucial for helping programs make informed decisions and design programming that supports students in achieving economic stability. My manager noted that the data tools I created have directly resulted in contracts for WestEd, demonstrating their value in clarifying the relationship between education and work. Complementing my analytical expertise is a dedication to enhancing educational methods for diverse learners, particularly in the context of workforce development. This dedication led me to seek experience abroad. Currently, I work as an English Teaching Assistant in Spain, specifically in a small primary school with students worldwide. I chose this opportunity through NALCAP to enhance my teaching methods for multilingual learners and gain valuable cultural exchange. My goals here include learning how to gamify lessons for students with low English levels, improving digital competence, and developing multilevel materials adapted to Universal Design for Learning (UDL). My plan to make a positive impact involves bringing the innovative pedagogical approaches and cross-cultural understanding gained from my experience in Spain back to the United States. By combining this deepened knowledge of supporting multilingual learners and applying methods like gamification and UDL with my existing skills in data-driven systems improvement in education and workforce development, I can develop more effective and accessible technical assistance and training for practitioners. This integrated approach will enable me to better support programs in creating tailored pathways that address the unique needs of diverse student populations, ultimately leading to improved educational outcomes and stronger connections to living wage careers. My career will continue to focus on leveraging data and policy to inform practice, but with an enriched understanding of pedagogical strategies that ensures equitable access and success for all learners.

Receiving this scholarship would be a crucial catalyst in achieving my educational and career goals, allowing me to deepen my expertise and expand my impact in the field of education and workforce development. My background is rooted in leveraging quantitative data analysis, policy analysis, and technical assistance to drive systems improvement. This scholarship provides the necessary support to build upon this foundation and continue advancing my career. Educationally, the scholarship would directly facilitate my pursuit of specific learning objectives. My Master's degree in Public Policy provided a strong foundation in statistics and econometrics, equipping me to evaluate research and conduct complex quantitative analysis. The scholarship could enable me to undertake further specialized training, such as advanced data visualization techniques or specific software proficiencies, directly enhancing my ability to create novel dashboards and data sets that translate complex information into accessible insights for diverse audiences. Skills that are essential to gain as I advance my career working as a self-employed consultant. Furthermore, my experience as an English Teaching Assistant has underscored my dedication to education, helping others, and building healthy communities. This scholarship would allow me to continue advancing my language proficiency while learning innovative teaching methods for multilingual learners. It would support my goal of attaining a C1 level Spanish certificate and allow me to explore advanced professional development in areas like gamification and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), directly applicable to improving educational access and outcomes. From a career standpoint, this scholarship would accelerate my ability to contribute meaningfully through my consulting work. My experience includes creating data tools for generating contracts, leading data-driven strategic planning, and training practitioners to utilize data effectively. Receiving this support would provide the financial flexibility to dedicate more focused time to developing innovative data-driven methodologies and tools that connect education to living wage occupations and economic mobility. This would allow me to take on projects focused on making a tangible impact for practitioners and learners by providing them with clearer pathways. The scholarship could also support participation in relevant conferences or networking opportunities, expanding my knowledge and connections to further contribute to the field at a broader level. In summary, this scholarship is not just financial aid; it is an investment in my capacity to expand my skills and apply them through impactful projects in education and workforce development. It would remove barriers, allowing me to focus intensely on enhancing my quantitative, policy, and pedagogical expertise to drive meaningful systems improvement and ultimately help more individuals achieve economic stability and mobility.

R is a technology that inspires me because of how it empowers people to turn data into meaningful insights, driving positive change. Although R has been around for a while, its open-source nature, ease of learning, and flexibility make it a powerful tool for addressing today’s most pressing challenges. In my work as a data consultant and education professional, I’ve seen firsthand how R can be used to make the world a better place by improving the systems that serve students. One of the most impactful ways I’ve used R is to analyze student outcome data. In education, the volume of data is immense, but it’s often underutilized. R helps break down barriers to understanding this data by providing tools to clean, analyze, and visualize information. For instance, I’ve used R to identify patterns in graduation rates, measure disparities in access to resources, and evaluate the effectiveness of programs designed to support underserved students. These insights allow educators and policymakers to make evidence-based decisions, ultimately helping students succeed. What excites me most about R is its accessibility. Because it’s open-source, anyone can use it without significant financial investment, which is critical for public institutions working with tight budgets. Additionally, the vibrant R community continuously shares new packages and tools, fostering collaboration and innovation. This openness aligns perfectly with my belief that technology should be a force for equity. R inspires me because it enables data to tell stories that might otherwise remain hidden. Those stories have the power to influence change—not just within education but in any field where data can shed light on inequities and opportunities. For me, R exemplifies how technology, even something that isn’t flashy or new, can play a pivotal role in creating a more just and equitable world.

Success begins with a clear vision and a well-thought-out plan. As someone who has always been driven by a love for learning and a passion for teaching, my ultimate goal is to become a university professor specializing in data analysis and its applications in education and workforce development. To achieve this, I plan to enroll in a doctorate program. This scholarship would help turn these aspirations into a reality by providing crucial financial support as I work toward these objectives. As an American living in Spain, I have achieved a C1 level of Spanish proficiency, which has enabled me to engage with diverse students and faculty, access Spanish-language academic research, and expand my professional opportunities within bilingual and international programs. However, I continue to refine my fluency and cultural knowledge to further enhance my teaching and research capabilities. Through daily practice and immersion in Spanish culture, I aim to solidify my skills and maximize my effectiveness as an educator. Simultaneously, I intend to apply for a doctorate program in education or data science. My research interests lie at the intersection of educational policy, workforce development, and equity. I want to explore how data-driven strategies can improve educational outcomes, particularly for underserved communities. With 10 years of experience in public education and data analysis, I have a solid foundation to build upon. I plan to leverage my experience working on projects such as equity analyses for California school districts and developing workforce program datasets to inform my research. Achieving these goals will require careful planning and resource management. The cost of doctoral studies, including tuition, books, and research expenses, is substantial. I have allocated savings for these purposes, but additional financial support from this scholarship will ease the burden and allow me to focus on my studies. I also plan to apply for research assistant positions and seek fellowships to gain practical experience while funding my education. Time management is another critical component of my plan. I intend to prepare my doctoral program applications within the next year. Once admitted, I will dedicate three to five years to my studies, balancing coursework, research, and teaching opportunities. To stay on track, I will follow a detailed timeline, regularly revisiting and adjusting my goals as needed. Finally, I am committed to maximizing the impact of my education. As a university professor, I will use my expertise to mentor students, conduct meaningful research, and advocate for policies that promote equity in education. By sharing my knowledge and experiences, I hope to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with the same ambition and determination that Joe Gilroy exemplified. This scholarship represents more than financial assistance; it is an investment in my ability to make a difference. With a clear plan, the drive to succeed, and a commitment to excellence, I am confident in my ability to achieve my goals and honor Joe Gilroy’s legacy of ambition and impact.

Every day, I strive to embody a spirit of excellence through my work, my service to others, and my commitment to lifelong learning. As a data analyst and educator, my professional life is rooted in creating meaningful change for others. I use my skills to help public institutions make better decisions by transforming complex data into actionable insights. At the same time, I teach English to immigrant students in Spain, providing them with language skills that open doors to greater opportunities. These roles allow me to combine my passion for data-driven solutions with my dedication to empowering others. Service has always been a cornerstone of my life. Growing up in a rural community, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of limited resources and the power of community support. This upbringing inspired me to devote my career to public education and workforce development. One of my proudest achievements was working with WestEd, where I contributed to an equity analysis that identified systemic barriers to student success. This work directly supported underserved communities by promoting fairer education policies. I continue this spirit of service in Spain by designing classroom materials on topics like water safety and environmental education, helping students connect academic concepts to real-world applications. Beyond my professional contributions, I consistently look for ways to give back to my local and global communities. In Spain, I work in public schools, focusing on classrooms with a high percentage of immigrant students. My goal is to make learning English accessible and enjoyable, building students’ confidence and fostering a love for learning. Additionally, I support adult learners as a tutor, helping them gain language skills that enhance their job prospects and integration into the community. Excellence, to me, is not just about achieving goals but about doing so with integrity, perseverance, and creativity. It means approaching every task—whether it’s developing a data visualization, teaching a lesson, or mentoring a student—with the intent to make a positive and lasting impact. It also means embracing challenges as opportunities to grow and lead. For example, when I relocated to Spain, I immersed myself in a new culture and language, earning a TEFL certification to better serve my students. This adaptability reflects my drive to excel and my commitment to contributing meaningfully, no matter where I am. The legacy of Harriett Russell Carr resonates deeply with me because it mirrors my own values and aspirations. Her dedication to selfless service and her ability to inspire change align with my personal mission to empower others through education and community involvement. If awarded this scholarship, I would use it to further my education in STEAM fields, particularly focusing on data analysis and its applications in public education and workforce development. This investment in my learning would enhance my ability to give back by equipping me with new tools to address pressing societal challenges. In honoring Harriett Russell Carr’s legacy, I aim to continue my journey of service and excellence, using my skills and experiences to uplift others and create lasting, positive change in my community and beyond.

One of the most significant instances where I demonstrated exceptional leadership occurred during a project where I managed the development of a data collection and analysis strategy for workforce and education investment programs in California. In this role, I was tasked with overseeing the collection of data from multiple school districts to evaluate the effectiveness of adult education programs, particularly for immigrant populations. This project required me to lead a diverse team of data analysts and work closely with stakeholders, including school district leaders and community organizations, to ensure the initiative was effective and aligned with the needs of the community. The most pressing challenge I faced was the varying levels of understanding of data-driven decision-making among the stakeholders. Many of them had limited experience using educational data for strategic planning, and this caused delays in the project as we worked to build confidence in the process. To address this challenge, I developed tailored workshops and training sessions that focused on data literacy. These sessions were designed to equip stakeholders with the tools they needed to engage with the project meaningfully, allowing them to contribute more effectively to the process. Additionally, I facilitated ongoing support to address concerns and questions, ensuring the team felt confident and supported as they adapted to the new system. Another challenge was the diversity of the immigrant students we were working with, many of whom faced additional barriers such as language, financial hardship, and cultural differences. To ensure the data we collected accurately reflected the needs of these students, I worked with school leaders to identify ways to make educational programming more inclusive and accessible. By refining our approach and aligning educational programs with local labor market needs, we were able to better support immigrant students and improve their outcomes in the workforce. The results were tangible: school districts reported improved student success and engagement, and the data we gathered provided critical insights that informed future educational strategies. This experience has been invaluable in shaping my leadership skills, particularly in problem-solving and adaptability. The challenges I faced not only taught me the importance of persistence but also emphasized the significance of building relationships and empowering others through education. I overcame obstacles by fostering collaboration, developing skills in data-driven decision-making, and remaining focused on the bigger picture: improving educational opportunities for immigrant students. I believe I am deserving of this scholarship because of my dedication to overcoming challenges and my commitment to creating positive change through education. My ability to lead diverse teams and navigate complex challenges, while ensuring inclusivity and equity in educational programs, has prepared me to make a meaningful impact in the future. This scholarship would support my continued growth as a leader and enable me to further my career in education and workforce development, making a positive difference in the communities I serve.

I am passionate about building an inclusive educational ecosystem that supports both students and educators in achieving long-term success. With a focus on immigrant communities, particularly women, I want to create programs that bridge educational gaps and empower students to succeed academically and professionally. Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by the idea of harnessing the power of education and community-driven strategies to address systemic barriers and create tangible opportunities for underserved groups, especially those who face linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic challenges. My vision is to build a series of comprehensive educational frameworks that integrate data analysis, technology, and community-driven strategies to improve learning outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. I have already laid the foundation for this vision through my work in Spain, where I taught English as a foreign language and supported immigrant students in their academic journeys. As a TEFL-certified teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact that language acquisition and access to educational resources can have on a student’s self-confidence, opportunities, and future. Many of my students, especially women, face obstacles in accessing education and employment opportunities due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with local systems. By helping them build English language skills and equipping them with the tools to navigate their new environment, I’ve seen them grow not only academically but also socially and professionally. Now, I want to expand my ability to support these students by developing data-driven strategies that help schools and institutions better understand the specific needs of immigrant populations. I aim to use data to track student progress, identify areas of improvement, and tailor educational programs to meet the needs of diverse learners. The integration of technology and data can empower both teachers and students, providing more personalized and effective learning experiences. I want to build tools that can measure not only academic achievement but also the long-term impact of educational programs on employment outcomes, ensuring that immigrant students, particularly women, are better equipped to enter the workforce and contribute to their communities. This goal is both personal and professional for me. On a personal level, I am committed to continuing my education and professional development to acquire the necessary skills in data analysis and program evaluation that will enable me to build these frameworks. On a broader scale, I hope to create a network of educational programs that prioritize inclusion and equity for all students, especially those from immigrant and marginalized backgrounds. By building this future, I believe I can help close the opportunity gap and provide a better, more inclusive educational landscape for students in Spain, the United States, and beyond.

The decision to further my education in STEAM, with a focus on data analysis and its application to public education and workforce development, stems from my deep belief in the transformative power of education. My journey has shown me how data-driven decision-making can create positive, lasting change in educational systems, particularly for underserved communities. However, it was my time working as a TEFL-certified English language teacher in Spain that truly cemented my commitment to the intersection of education, technology, and social impact. Teaching English to immigrant students in Spain has been a defining experience. Many of my students were immigrants, some having fled conflict or seeking better opportunities. They often faced significant challenges in adapting to a new language, culture, and educational system. Despite these hurdles, I was determined to create an environment where they could thrive academically and personally. I designed learning modules and strategies to help my students not only learn English but also build the resilience and confidence necessary to navigate their new surroundings. These experiences taught me that education is not just about language skills—it’s about empowerment, self-sufficiency, and creating pathways for success. Supporting immigrant students, particularly women, is crucial for their social and economic mobility. I’ve witnessed firsthand how limited access to education, language barriers, and cultural challenges can create significant obstacles to employment and economic independence. By helping immigrant students develop language skills and the confidence to participate in their communities and workplaces, I am giving them the tools they need to take control of their futures. My work has reinforced my belief that education is a powerful tool for economic empowerment and social inclusion, especially for those from marginalized groups. The scholarship would be an invaluable opportunity to expand my expertise and knowledge in STEAM, allowing me to develop more effective strategies and tools for supporting immigrant students, especially women, as they navigate educational systems. With further education, I aim to build upon my data analysis skills and create innovative solutions to address educational disparities. This scholarship would provide me with the resources to develop and implement programs that empower immigrant women and open doors to economic opportunities by equipping them with essential skills for the workforce. Through this scholarship, I will be able to refine my skills in education and data analysis, further enabling me to create programs and strategies that support the academic and professional success of immigrant students. As an educator, I have seen the incredible difference education can make in the lives of individuals and communities. This scholarship will allow me to continue working toward my goal of providing education as a pathway to empowerment, especially for immigrant students, and to make a lasting impact on their futures. I am excited about the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and contributing to the success of underserved students, particularly women, as they build better futures for themselves and their families.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood, I lived alone with my mother who suffered from schizophrenia. We often lived out of our car because she lived in fear of someone coming to hurt us. As a result, I couldn't fully participate in school or the extracurricular activities I loved. I was consistently struggling with coursework. I felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. I assumed, as a kid, that when her mental health deteriorated enough, my teachers or our friends would see us struggling. I thought someone would say something; someone would reach out a hand to help. No one ever did, even when I missed weeks of school at a time. The fact that no one reached out or said anything made me question if the issue was me. I felt alone, overlooked, and unsure if what I was experiencing was normal. One of my deepest scars was a distrust of my thoughts and feelings. I lived with someone who thought the neighbors were trying to kill us, who yelled at me when I asked to eat dinner, and who would punish me for trying to walk to school. I had to relearn how to trust my own intuition and gut feeling. Eventually, I moved to California to live with my father and stepmother. We only stayed a year, then moved to France for two years. By the time I entered high school in California, I was even more behind in coursework. It was difficult keeping myself motivated in a constant state of catch-up. During this time, I struggled with depression as I tried to recover from the trauma I had experienced with my mother. However, I had the support I needed and the prospect of long-term stability during this period of time. Suddenly, I had time and energy to pay attention to subjects that deeply interested me. In my junior year of high school, a feminist literature elective inspired me. Learning didn't feel like a chore; it was exciting. As I grew up, I developed a deep sense of empathy for others because of my own experiences of struggling in school and feeling overlooked. I believe in helping others without restrictions or conditions. Empathy is central to my moral philosophy and guides my current ethical reasoning when facing a difficult problem in my personal and work life. My own experience struggling with mental illness, including an uphill battle to improve my grades after a patchwork of early education has made me deeply committed to public service. I am passionate about ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to grow. My allegiance to empathy as a strength drives me to improve our educational system for others. The shift in my personal experience, from a place of constant struggle to a place of security, has made me able to deeply empathize with others' experiences. I am acutely aware that the path to success in education and career is riddled with potholes for too many students. My career is now focused on building more effective support systems for students as they transition from high school to college.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood, I lived along with my mother who suffered from schizophrenia. We often lived out of our car because she lived in fear of someone coming to hurt us. As a result, I couldn't fully participate in school or the extracurricular activities I loved. I was consistently struggling with coursework. I felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. I assumed, as a kid, that when her mental health deteriorated enough, my teachers or our friends would see us struggling. I thought someone would say something; someone would reach out a hand to help. No one ever did, even when I missed weeks of school at a time. The fact that no one reached out or said anything made me question if the issue was me. I felt alone, overlooked, and unsure if what I was experiencing was normal. One of my deepest scars was a distrust of my thoughts and feelings. I lived with someone who thought the neighbors were trying to kill us, who yelled at me when I asked to eat dinner, and who would punish me for trying to walk to school. I had to relearn how to trust my own intuition and gut feeling. Eventually, I moved to California to live with my father and stepmother. We only stayed a year, then moved to France for two years. By the time I entered high school in California, I was even more behind in coursework. It was difficult keeping myself motivated in a constant state of catch-up. During this time, I struggled with depression as I tried to recover from the trauma I had experienced with my mother. However, I had the support I needed and the prospect of long-term stability. I had somehow kept swimming as a central organizing feature of my life. A regular schedule of exercise helped me manage my anxiety and motivated me to set goals for myself. Swimming saved my life because I had something in my life that brought me happiness, even in my darkest moments. I held onto that feeling that athletic competition gave me, and I followed that feeling despite all odds. Until one day, suddenly, I had time and energy to pay attention to subjects that deeply interested me. In my junior year of high school, a feminist literature elective inspired me. Learning didn't feel like a chore; it was exciting. My participation in swimming and all that I was able to achieve during high school and college pulled me out of a deep depression. It gave me the tools I needed to construct a healthy and fulfilling life where I could manage my anxiety and focus on the goals I set for myself. Athletics fundamentally changed the trajectory of my life.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood, I lived alone with my mother who suffered from schizophrenia. We often lived out of our car because she lived in fear of someone coming to hurt us. As a result, I couldn't fully participate in school or the extracurricular activities I loved. I was consistently struggling with coursework. I felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. I assumed, as a kid, that when her mental health deteriorated enough, my teachers or our friends would see us struggling. I thought someone would say something; someone would reach out a hand to help. No one ever did, even when I missed weeks of school at a time. The fact that no one reached out or said anything made me question if the issue was me. I felt alone, overlooked, and unsure if what I was experiencing was normal. One of my deepest scars was a distrust of my thoughts and feelings. I lived with someone who thought the neighbors were trying to kill us, who yelled at me when I asked to eat dinner, and who would punish me for trying to walk to school. I had to relearn how to trust my own intuition and gut feeling. Eventually, I moved to California to live with my father and stepmother. We only stayed a year, then moved to France for two years. By the time I entered high school in California, I was even more behind in coursework. It was difficult keeping myself motivated in a constant state of catch-up. During this time, I struggled with depression as I tried to recover from the trauma I had experienced with my mother. However, I had the support I needed and the prospect of long-term stability during this period of time. Suddenly, I had time and energy to pay attention to subjects that deeply interested me. In my junior year of high school, a feminist literature elective inspired me. Learning didn't feel like a chore; it was exciting. As I grew up, I developed a deep sense of empathy for others because of my own experiences of struggling in school and feeling overlooked. I believe in helping others without restrictions or conditions. Empathy is central to my moral philosophy and guides my current ethical reasoning when facing a difficult problem in my personal and work life. My own experience struggling with mental illness, including an uphill battle to improve my grades after a patchwork of early education has made me deeply committed to public service. I am passionate about ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to grow. My allegiance to empathy as a strength drives me to improve our educational system for others. The shift in my personal experience, from a place of constant struggle to a place of security, has made me able to deeply empathize with others' experiences. I am acutely aware that the path to success in education and career is riddled with potholes for too many students. My career is now focused on building more effective support systems for students as they transition from high school to college.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood, I lived along with my mother, who suffered from schizophrenia. We often lived out of our car because she lived in fear of someone coming to hurt us. As a result, I didn't fully participate in the extracurricular activities that I loved, and I missed weeks of school. I was consistently struggling in coursework. I felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. This experience motivated me to want to change the world for other young women. Moving to California to live with my father and stepmother set me on a new path, one with the tangible and emotional support that made my goals feel achievable. I realized that access to resources is essential to educational success. The shift in my personal experience, from constant struggling to a place of security, has profoundly shaped my worldview. As a result, I am passionate about ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to grow. I have dedicated my career to creating systemic change in our U.S. educational system to ensure every student receives the compassion, support, and tools essential for success. I currently work at an organization that focuses on improving educational and economic outcomes for students in the California Community College system. However, I want to do more; I want to implement state-level policies that improve students' daily lives— and address the unique barriers women face in accessing higher education. I want to be able to address the low enrollment of women in high-wage degree fields, many of which are STEAM degrees. I am excited to be setting a new path for myself through graduate school, which is an accomplishment I didn't think was possible ten years ago. My goal in graduate school is to develop expertise in specific types of data analysis and econometrics, that will directly support my continued work around economic mobility for women through education. I also plan to use my time in school to research alternative policy solutions to improve economic outcomes for women. This scholarship would help me pay for tuition for the next year and minimize the loans I take out. Once I graduate, this tuition support will provide me the financial freedom to choose a job most aligned with my vision of supporting students. After graduate school, I plan to continue advancing the work to improve pathways into higher education. However, this work is only one piece of the puzzle focusing primarily on program design. It does not allow me to influence institutional policy directly nor fully address the economic issues at play. In the future, I am interested in working at a university’s institutional research department. Ultimately I will seek a state-level position to shape economic policy that directly supports students' access and completion of their education path.

I began competitive swimming at the age of six. The routine of regular workouts became a vital organizing structure in my childhood and through college. But I wanted to continue competing after graduating. That’s when I found competitive cycling and the community of Hellyer Velodrome. I love the speed and tactics of racing on the velodrome, and I have been racing there for over six years. I have become a regular of the women’s peloton at Hellyer and continue to race while in graduate school. These photos are my proudest moments competing on the velodrome.

At the start of 2020, I had been at my company for almost three years. I was starting to feel stagnant in this job, and I wanted to move forward. But I didn't know how. Then, the pandemic happened, and we all went into quarantine. I felt trapped and claustrophobic—both literally and in my career. It felt like any doors towards progress had closed at my company. Changing jobs at a time of enormous unemployment also seemed impossible. Through the stress and anxiety of quarantine, I realized I needed to open a door for myself. I knew that it was time to take my future into my own hands and apply for graduate school as I had always dreamed of doing. I am happier than I have ever been in the past few years and have rediscovered my love of reading and learning. Everyone is on their journey, and I'm excited to be back on track for mine. The pandemic has taught me that I need to take ownership of my future and work to open doors for myself.

At the start of quarantine in the Spring of 2020, I was up for a promotion at work. It was poor timing, given a worldwide pandemic had exploded, but all signs pointed towards success. My supervisor wasn't worried about whether I would get this promotion-- he knew I would, nor was my department director worried. Yet, the months dragged on, and I heard nothing from HR about my promotion. Finally, by August 2020, I was told that I had received a slight salary increase but no promotion. I knew that it was time to take my future into my own hands, and apply for graduate school as I had always dreamed of doing. I am happier than I have ever been in the past few years and rediscovered my love of reading and learning. Everyone is on their own journey, and I'm excited to be back on track for mine.

I work on a small team focused specifically on creating equitable pathways through higher education as a means towards greater economic justice. Part of my mission is to help improve data collection and data collection systems to understand nuances in programmatic structure and student enrollment patterns. This work, in turn, will allow districts and regions to plan more strategically and fine-tune programs to better, more equitably serve students. On my most difficult days, when it's hard to step back and see the bigger picture, the words of Rebecca Solnit speak clearly to me, "hope is not a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch, feeling lucky. It is an axe you break down doors with in an emergency." I can get mired in the details and bureaucracy of the fundamental data work that needs to happen to build educational pathways. But these wise words always help me refocus and reflect on how my day-to-day work aligns with my vision. It reminds me that no change will happen unless I work to make it happen. That work is in the details. As complicated and challenging as the work is, someone has to do it, and it needs to get done. Hope is my ax to shape the vision of an equitable education system, and the data work is my hammer to build that system.

I work on a small team focused specifically on creating equitable pathways through higher education as a means towards greater economic justice. Part of my mission is to help improve data collection and data collection systems to understand nuances in programmatic structure and student enrollment patterns. This work, in turn, will allow districts and regions to plan more strategically and fine-tune programs to better, more equitably serve students. Although I have a vision and hope for a more equitable education system, my day-to-day work is in the weeds. I spend most of my time analyzing program data and aligning programs to occupations in the labor market. Within this technical work, there are roadblocks regarding data quality and the politics and bureaucracy of different public agencies. It can be easy to lose sight of that vision and feel like you're digging a hole to nowhere. On my most difficult days, when it's hard to step back and see the bigger picture, the words of Rebecca Solnit speak clearly to me, "hope is not a lottery ticket you can sit on the sofa and clutch, feeling lucky. It is an axe you break down doors with in an emergency." I can get mired in the details and bureaucracy of the fundamental data work that needs to happen to build educational pathways. But these wise words always help me refocus and reflect on how my day-to-day work aligns with my vision. It reminds me that no change will happen unless I work to make it happen. That work is in the details. As complicated and challenging as the work is, someone has to do it, and it needs to get done. Hope is my axe to shape the vision of an equitable education system, and the data work is my hammer to build that system.

Doña Úrsula Mercedes makes her presence known every morning. Despite being only five months old, she is the master and owner of the household and won't let you forget. Her confidence emanates through the room like a halo of an angel, catching your mind, heart, and soul. This particular morning she showed some grace to her humans and allowed them to sleep until 7 am.

One severe issue facing women today is the gender pay gap, which has far-reaching implications for other inequalities women face in society today. Most recent statistics from 2019 show that on the whole, women are making only 82% of what men earn. The COVID pandemic has exacerbated this issue as women had a higher unemployment rate of 12.8% versus 9.9% for men. Further, over time in the United States, the pay gap has gotten smaller for White and Asian women but stagnated for Hispanic and Black women (AAUW, 2020). Economic equity is an intersectional issue at the heart of health and education equity for women. If we, as a society, can improve economic outcomes for women across the board, it would be a considerable step to empowering women in all aspects of their daily lives. While working as a research assistant at a public policy research and evaluation firm, I noticed a recurring theme. I found that access to economic resources influences individuals' capacity to engage with education. While I knew there is a connection between economic prosperity and educational outcomes, it was startling to see the ripple effect's far-reaching impacts. I realized that this is a critical issue underpinning most issues related to women's equity. I began to refocus my career to tackle economic equity head-on. Access to equitable education for women is a crucial driver of economic outcomes. One element of the gender pay gap is that women are often in occupations, such as childcare, that on the whole pay less than jobs men tend to choose, such as construction. Building clear educational pathways for women into occupations with higher median wages is essential in addressing the gender pay gap. These educational pathways need support for academic counselors who know how to connect with women and help improve retention. High schools and community colleges should invest in supportive services such as free or affordable childcare, food pantries, and better referral systems to public assistance. My goal in graduate school is to develop expertise in specific types of data analysis and evaluation methodologies, such as economic impact analyses, that will directly support my work around economic mobility through education. I also plan to use my time in school to research alternative policy solutions to improve economic outcomes for women. There is a lot of work to be done, but I believe it's possible to close the wage gap for women through thoughtful policymaking and the development of essential support services for women on school campuses. I fully believe that when women are financially independent, they are also empowered. Source: (AAUW, 2020): https://www.aauw.org/resources/research/simple-truth/

I currently work at an education nonprofit called WestEd dedicated to promoting excellence, achieving equity, and improving learning for children, youth, and adults. I work on a small team focused explicitly on equitable pathways to achieve greater economic justice through higher education. Data dashboards have been essential tools to quickly build creative data visualizations to communicate complex ideas or data patterns to educators. During graduate school, I will continue to research and develop innovative ways of using data to drive decision-making and create technology solutions to address systemic issues in education. My mission is to help improve data collection and data collection systems to understand nuances in programmatic structure and student enrollment patterns. This work, in turn, will allow districts and regions to plan more strategically and fine-tune programs to better, more equitably serve students. With tight deadlines, limited funding, and technology barriers in the education field, my growing experience in data analysis has made my dreams of innovative data tools possible! In 2019, I led a statewide scan of California's adult career technical education and workforce preparation courses. Currently, the state does not have a data repository for the types of courses offered by adult education schools. I developed a classification system that includes three broad course types, workforce preparation, occupational skills builders, and occupational training programs. I created an innovative google studio dashboard that demonstrates alignment between adult education occupational training programs and jobs in the labor market from this primary source data. This kind of dashboard has never been created in California, and we have projects lined up to continue its development and implementation. These classifications have helped practitioners in the field think more holistically about how their courses align to specific occupations or career pathways in the labor market. While creating graphics and charts can be useful for facilitating meetings, I wanted to build something adult educators could use on their own and customize to their needs. I created another interactive dashboard that demonstrates how adult education and community college courses align to occupations in pursuit of that mission. View the dashboard here: https://datastudio.google.com/s/hF7zWyfCXDU In other projects, I have used tools such as Displayr to develop eye-catching graphs to communicate complex data patterns quickly. No-code platforms make it easy to adapt to the needs of educators while creating graphics that communicate data patterns effectively. High impact visualizations are essential tools to inspire educators to take action and think strategically about enhancing their programs to meet the needs of the labor market. I've used products like Airtable in new and creative ways to build out data toolkits with interactive lists and explanations of resources that educators can take back to their school and stay engaged with data that drives better decision-making. By working on these data projects at WestEd, I have realized that building evidence-based tools for practitioners is an area where I excel and am personally passionate. My goal in graduate school is to develop technical expertise in coding, programming, and data analysis to create new tools that educators and administrators can use to make better data-driven decisions. Ultimately, my dream is to use this expertise and knowledge of technology to work at a community college institutional research department and directly influence policy that improves students' daily lives.

I became interested in athletics at a young age, and I was lucky to find support and encouragement to stay involved in swimming. I started to compete at the age of six. The routine of regular workouts became a vital organizing structure throughout my childhood and adolescence as I struggled to deal with my parent's divorce and my mothers' schizophrenia. Despite difficult years with my mother, I learned to cope and eventually thrived. I credit my ability to grow and thrive in part to the support network and structure I had as an athlete. As a result of my positive experience in athletics, I have dedicated time to volunteering and mentoring. I wanted to help other young women to find and stay engaged with support networks in athletics. During high school and college, I volunteered for events aimed at introducing young women to swimming. As an adult, I have continued my participation in athletics through cycling and regularly volunteer at women's specific cycling events. I have planned and mentored activity days for girls week at Wheel Kids, a bicycle summer day camp for 12 and under youth. Because of my personal experience, I know how much a support network and thoughtful mentorship in athletics can change someone's life. It can help set them on a path to self-discovery, give them the confidence needed to excel in school, and help them grapple with personal conflict and trauma. By continuing my volunteering and mentorship outside of work, my ultimate goal is to help young women find success, not just in work, but in how they define success for themselves.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood, I lived along with my mother who suffered from schizophrenia. She thought the neighbors were trying to kill us. We often lived out of our car because she lived in fear of someone coming to hurt us. As a result, I wasn't able to fully participate in the extracurricular activities that I loved, and I missed a lot of school. I was consistently struggling in coursework. I felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. I assumed, as a kid, that when her mental health deteriorated enough, my teachers or our friends would see us struggling. I thought someone would say something; someone would reach out a hand to help. No one ever did, even when I missed weeks of school at a time. The fact that no one reached out or said anything made me question if the issue was me. I felt alone, overlooked, and unsure if what I was experiencing was normal. One of my deepest scars was a distrust of my thoughts and feelings. I lived with someone who thought the neighbors were trying to kill us, who yelled at me when I asked to eat dinner, who would punish me for trying to walk to school. I had to relearn to trust that my perspective was in touch with reality. Eventually, I moved to California to live with my father and stepmother. We only stayed a year, then moved to France for two years. By the time I entered high school in California, I was even more behind in coursework. It was difficult keeping myself motivated in a constant state of catch-up. During this time, I struggled with depression as I tried to recover from the trauma I had experienced with my mother. In high school, when I lived with my dad, despite my depression, I had the support I needed and the prospect of long-term stability. Suddenly, I had time and energy to pay attention to subjects that deeply interested me. In my junior year of high school, a feminist literature elective inspired me. Learning didn't feel like a chore; it was exciting. I was enthralled and inspired by Alice Paul, her activism in the suffragist movement, and writing the Equal Rights Amendment; I knew that I wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree in Women's Studies. Although I still had work to do to catch up academically, I had a new goal to work towards. I supplemented my high school courses with summer school, online courses, and peer-tutoring, anything to keep moving forward. Moving to California to live with my father and stepmother set me on a new path, one with the tangible and emotional support that made my goals feel achievable. I realized that resources and access to support are essential to educational success, particularly mental health resources. As I grew up, I developed a deep sense of empathy for others because of my own experiences of struggling in school and feeling overlooked. I believe in helping others without restrictions or conditions. Empathy is central to my moral philosophy and guides my current ethical reasoning when faced with a difficult problem both in my personal and work life. My own experience struggling with mental illness, including an uphill battle to improve my grades after a patchwork of early education has made me deeply committed to public service. I am passionate about ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to grow. My allegiance to empathy as a strength drives me to improve our educational system for others. The shift in my personal experience, from a place of constant struggling to a place of security, has made me able to deeply empathize with others' experiences. I am acutely aware that the path to success in education and career is riddled with potholes for too many students. Resources for students are inconsistent across districts, and limited mental health resources exist. That is why I am dedicated to creating systemic change in our US educational system to ensure every student receives the compassion, support, and tools essential for success. I am now pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree that will enhance the multidisciplinary skills I need to address complex and systemic issues facing our education system. This scholarship will allow me to stay focused during my degree. With this financial support, I can take more opportunities to grow and learn, which I will use to reinvest my skills back into our educational system.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood, I lived along with my mother who suffered from schizophrenia. She thought the neighbors were trying to kill us. We often lived out of our car because she lived in fear of someone coming to hurt us. As a result, I didn't fully participate in the extracurricular activities that I loved, and I missed weeks of school. I was consistently struggling in coursework. I felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. In high school, when I lived with my dad, despite my depression, I had the support I needed and the prospect of long-term stability. Suddenly, I had time and energy to pay attention to subjects that deeply interested me. In my junior year of high school, history courses inspired me and learning didn't feel like a chore; it was exciting. I knew that I wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree related to humanities. Although I still had work to do to catch up academically, I had a new goal to work towards. I supplemented my high school courses with summer school, online courses, and peer-tutoring, anything to keep moving forward. Moving to California to live with my father and stepmother set me on a new path, one with the tangible and emotional support that made my goals feel achievable. I realized that resources and access to support are essential to educational success, particularly mental health resources. As a result, I am passionate about ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to grow. The shift in my personal experience, from a place of constant struggling to a place of security, has enhanced my ability to empathize with others. Resources for students are inconsistent across districts, and limited mental health resources exist. That is why I have dedicated my career to creating systemic change in our US educational system to ensure every student receives the compassion, support, and tools essential for success. We need to build institutions that deeply support students on every level.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood, I lived along with my mother who suffered from schizophrenia. She thought the neighbors were trying to kill us. We often lived out of our car because she lived in fear of someone coming to hurt us. As a result, I wasn't able to fully participate in the extracurricular activities that I loved, and I missed a lot of school. I was consistently struggling in coursework. I felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. I assumed, as a kid, that when her mental health deteriorated enough, my teachers or our friends would see us struggling. I thought someone would say something; someone would reach out a hand to help. No one ever did, even when I missed weeks of school at a time. The fact that no one reached out or said anything made me question if the issue was me. I felt alone, overlooked, and unsure if what I was experiencing was normal. Eventually, I moved to California to live with my father and stepmother. We only stayed a year, then moved to France for two years. By the time I entered high school in California, I was even more behind in coursework. It was difficult keeping myself motivated in a constant state of catch-up. During this time, I struggled with depression as I tried to recover from the trauma I had experienced with my mother. One of my deepest scars was a distrust of my thoughts and feelings. I lived with someone who thought the neighbors were trying to kill us, who yelled at me when I asked to eat dinner, who would punish me for trying to walk to school. I had to relearn to trust that my perspective was in touch with reality. In high school, when I lived with my dad, despite my depression, I had the support I needed and the prospect of long-term stability. Suddenly, I had time and energy to pay attention to subjects that deeply interested me. In my junior year of high school, a feminist literature elective inspired me. Learning didn't feel like a chore; it was exciting. I was enthralled and inspired by Alice Paul, her activism in the suffragist movement, and writing the Equal Rights Amendment; I knew that I wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree in Women's Studies. Although I still had work to do to catch up academically, I had a new goal to work towards. I supplemented my high school courses with summer school, online courses, and peer-tutoring, anything to keep moving forward. Moving to California to live with my father and stepmother set me on a new path, one with the tangible and emotional support that made my goals feel achievable. As I grew up, I developed a deep sense of empathy for others because of my own experiences of struggling in school and feeling overlooked. I believe in helping others without restrictions or conditions. Empathy is central to my moral philosophy and guides my current ethical reasoning when faced with a difficult problem both in my personal and work life. My own experience struggling with mental illness, including an uphill battle to improve my grades after a patchwork of early education has made me deeply committed to public service. I am passionate about ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to grow. My allegiance to empathy as a strength drives me to improve our educational system for others. The shift in my personal experience, from a place of constant struggling to a place of security, has made me able to deeply empathize with others' experiences. I am acutely aware that the path to success in education and career is riddled with potholes for too many students. Resources for students are inconsistent across districts, and limited mental health resources exist. That is why I am dedicated to creating systemic change in our US educational system to ensure every student receives the compassion, support, and tools essential for success. I am now pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree that will enhance the multidisciplinary skills I need to address complex and systemic issues facing our education system. This scholarship will allow me to stay focused during my degree. With this financial support, I can take more opportunities to grow and learn, which I will use to reinvest my skills back into our educational system.

I currently work at an education nonprofit called WestEd dedicated to promoting excellence, achieving equity, and improving learning for children, youth, and adults. I work on a small team focused specifically on equitable pathways through higher education as a means towards greater economic justice. No-code environments have been essential tools to quickly build data visualizations to communicate complex ideas or data patterns to educators. Part of my mission is to help improve data collection and data collection systems to better understand nuances in programmatic structure and student enrollment patterns. This work, in turn, will allow districts and regions to plan more strategically and fine-tune programs to better, more equitably serve students. With tight deadlines, limited funding, and technology barriers in the education field, no-code environments have made my dreams of innovative data tools possible! In 2019, I led a statewide scan of adult career technical education and workforce preparation courses in California. Currently, the state does not have a data repository for the types of courses offered by adult education schools. I developed a classification system that includes three broad course types, workforce preparation, occupational skills builders, and occupational training programs. These classifications have helped practitioners in the field think more holistically about how their courses align to specific occupations or career pathways in the labor market. While creating graphics and charts can be useful for facilitating meetings, I wanted to build something adult educators could use on their own and customize to their needs. In pursuit of that mission, I created an interactive dashboard in the no-code environment of Google Studio that demonstrates how adult education and community college courses align to occupations. View the dashboard here: https://datastudio.google.com/s/hF7zWyfCXDU In other projects, I have used no-code tools such as Displayr to quickly develop eye-catching graphs to communicate complex data patterns. No-code platforms make it easy to adapt to the needs of educators while creating graphics that communicate data patterns effectively. High impact visualizations are essential tools to inspire educators to take action and think strategically about enhancing their programs to meet the needs of the labor market. I’ve used products like Airtable to build out data toolkits with interactive lists and explanations of resources that educators can take back to their school and stay engaged with data that drives better decision-making. I have excelled at creating easy-to-use data tools and visualizations for educators that align with a mission of economic equity. No-code environments have been essential tools in my work and supporting my career aspirations of building a more equitable education system. My goal in graduate school is to take my expertise in no-code environments a step further to create beautiful and interactive data visualizations that combine education data and labor market data. I hope that these no-code tools will inspire educators to build better educational pathways to high wage jobs.

I learned very early in my childhood that life often does not follow any plan. I grew up in North Carolina right outside Chapel Hill, and as a young kid, I loved playing in the woods with other neighborhood kids. I dreamed of working in a zoo or as a forest ranger, anything to get outside! I was so preoccupied with daydreaming about camels that I did not notice how bad my mother's mental illness had gotten. After my parents divorced, she went downhill quickly. I missed a lot of schools and spent most of my time trapped in my bedroom by myself. My far-off dreams slowly faded and were replaced by more realistic hopes. I set out determined to find a way to live with my father in California. Eventually, through some help from an uncle and a lot of persuading, we convinced my mother to let me get on a plane. It was one of the scariest days of life, getting on a plane to live with someone I had not seen in years and leaving behind the only place I had ever known. Life gets derailed, but we learn over time how to set the tracks straight or find a new set of tracks. I found a new set of tracks with the help of thoughtful teachers, supportive friends, and caring guidance from my parents. I was given a legacy of empathy from those around me. A directive to continue improving the lives of those in my community. I don’t need to leave the kind of legacy they make statues about. That kind of legacy makes deep impressions in history, but it is always the cumulative work of millions of people who really shape the world. More than anything, I want to participate in that work and leave a deeper, collective legacy that shapes our society. I want to leave a legacy of empathy and determination in the people around me and the people I work with; A legacy of caring for one's community and society that becomes a catalyst for change. I deeply believe in the words of Howard Zinn, “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” I don’t need or want a legacy written in stone. I want to transform the world.

I grew up in a Quaker school that believed in the value of every single life, no matter what. Each living entity is important and holds value. Each of us has a gift to share with the world. One lesson that has stuck with me the longest is the Golden Rule; do unto others as you would have done unto you. I believe that empathy for others is a fundamental strength; it strengthens our communities and ourselves. Therefore, we have a responsibility to those who inhabit the world around us, a responsibility to our community, to ensure that each person can reach their full potential and live a life of quality. Helping your community does not have to be a sacrifice or a grandiose gesture. A simple, thoughtful act every day can change a community. I have decided to dedicate my career to helping our communities and strengthening our education system. I currently work in the Postsecondary and Workforce Development team at WestEd. Our team at WestEd is focused on a continuous improvement cycle of enhancing educational data systems, understanding student outcomes, and applying learnings to program implementation. In my role, I have led research projects, independently developed data dashboards, and deepened my facilitative skills. All of my work, and the work of our team, is focused on making a direct impact for students by improving organizational efficacy in the California community college system. This systems-level work is important to me because I believe that every time we allow someone to fall through the cracks; every time someone is unable to fulfill their potential - we as a society are poorer for it. In my role, I developed a methodology for an intersegmental data analysis using high school enrollment data, community college enrollment data, and occupational data. This proportional analysis of educational and labor market ecosystems is used to support practitioners' work building career pathways into living wage occupations. We also use this work to design student transfer support under federal funding and state grant funds such as Perkins V and K12 Strong Workforce. Earlier this year, I led a statewide scan of adult career technical education and workforce preparation pathways in California, developed a common categorization structure, and created an interactive dashboard of adult education course offerings aligned to occupational data. Collectively, this work has helped advance local educational institutions to be more responsive to student needs and guide them into the labor market. I have realized, that building evidence-based tools for practitioners is an area in which I excel and find great personal satisfaction. The next step of my career attending graduate school is necessary to enhance my technical skills related to economic analyses as well as deepen my knowledge of school funding policy. I also hope to take that expertise a step further, improving my ability to explain complex data analyses to practitioners who may not have a research background. After graduate school, I plan to continue advancing the work of our Postsecondary Education team at WestEd. In the future, I aspire to be a director of institutional research at a California community college, working more directly towards improving student employment outcomes. In my future work beyond graduate school, the Golden Rule will always stay with me. Acting as a guiding light to ensure policy recommendations and research I conduct will always be thoughtfully and equitably student-centered.

My favorite types of movies are the ones that I don't immediately find exciting. Movies that linger in my mind, movies that make me ask difficult questions about what it means to live a good life, are the ones I end up enjoying the most. I like movies that bother me a little bit, movies that don't have a clear beginning or a neatly wrapped up ending. For this reason, the movie Vengo is one of my favorite movies. It has ambled alongside me for a long time, slowly revealing its secrets when I least expect it. It is the story of a father, Caco, and the head of a powerful Gypsy family in Andalusia, Spain. He recently lost his daughter and is deeply heartbroken. Yet, during his time of grief, he must protect his family and resolve an age-old blood feud with another powerful gypsy family. Vengo is a visual and audio masterpiece, with panoramic views of the sweeping Andalusian valleys, sharp images of white houses on the rolling hills, and breathtaking flamenco music. Caco's grief and fear are punctuated by moments of joy. One memorable moment was an impromptu dance in the middle of the street with a brother and his nephew. Yet Caco is consistently drawn out of these moments, worrying about the past or the future. One aspect of this story that has stayed with me is the discord between your internal narrative about life and the life that continues around you. Caco's grief and fear are understandable, but there is still so much life worth living. Vengo has made a home in my heart. It reminds me, in moments of joy, to be fully present. To let go of my internal dialog and breathe deep the life I am living.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood living alone with my mentally-ill mother, I missed a lot of school. I was consistently struggling and felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. As a kid, I thought when her mental illness got bad enough someone would say something. No one ever did, even when I missed weeks of school at a time. I didn't understand why my mothers' mental illness was invisible to everyone else. It made me feel invisible. Eventually, I moved to California to live with my father and step-mother. We only stayed a year, then moved to France for two years. By the time I entered high school in California, I was even more behind in coursework. It was difficult keeping myself motivated in a constant state of catch up. During this time, I struggled with depression as I tried to recover from the trauma I had experienced with my mother. One of my deepest scars was a distrust of my thoughts and feelings. I lived with someone who thought the neighbors were trying to kill us, who yelled at me when I asked to eat dinner, who would punish me for trying to walk to school. I had to relearn to trust that my perspective was in touch with reality. In high school, when I lived with my dad, despite my depression, I had the support I needed and the prospect of long-term stability. Suddenly, I had time and energy to pay attention to subjects that deeply interested me. In my junior year of high school, a feminist literature elective inspired me. Learning didn't feel like a chore; it was exciting. I was enthralled and inspired by Alice Paul, her activism in the suffragist movement, and writing the Equal Rights Amendment; I knew that I wanted to pursue a bachelor's degree in Women's Studies. Although I still had work to do to catch up academically, I had a new goal to work towards. I supplemented my high school courses with summer school, online courses, and peer-tutoring, anything to keep moving forward. Moving to California to live with my father and step-mother set me on a new path, one with the tangible and emotional support that made my goals feel achievable. As I grew up, I developed a deep sense of empathy for others because of my own experience of struggling in school. I am acutely aware that the path to success in education and career has potholes for too many students. Resources for students are inconsistent across districts, and limited mental health resources exist. I want to create systemic change in our US educational system to ensure every student receives the compassion, support, and tools essential for success. I am now pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree to enhance the multidisciplinary skills I need to address complex and systemic issues facing our education system. With this financial support, I can take more opportunities to grow and learn, which I will use to reinvest my skills back into our educational system.

Throughout my turbulent early childhood living alone with my mentally-ill mother, I missed a lot of school. I was consistently struggling and felt like I was not smart enough when in reality, it was the chaos at home that kept me from growing. As a kid, I thought when her mental illness got bad enough someone would say something. No one ever did, even when I missed weeks of school at a time. I didn't understand why my mothers' mental illness was invisible to everyone else. It made me feel invisible. During high school, I lived with my Dad. I struggled with depression as I tried to recover from my trauma. One of my deepest scars was a distrust of my thoughts and feelings. I lived with someone who thought the neighbors were trying to kill us, who yelled at me when I asked to eat dinner, who would punish me for trying to walk to school. I had to relearn to trust that my perspective was in touch with reality. As I grew up, I developed a deep sense of empathy for others because of my own experience of struggling in school. I am acutely aware that the path to success in education and career has potholes for too many students. Resources for students are inconsistent across districts, and limited mental health resources exist. I want to create systemic change in our US educational system to ensure every student receives the compassion, support, and tools essential for success. I am now pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree to enhance the multidisciplinary skills I need to address complex and systemic issues facing our education system. With this financial support, I can take more opportunities to grow and learn, which I will use to reinvest my skills back into our educational system.

I took a bold step and started track racing on the velodrome with fixed gear bikes and no brakes. During college my identity revolved around being a student-athlete, being a swimmer. I graduated and was excited to start a new chapter in my life, but also felt a little lost. I wasn't sure how to move forward with my career goals and I deeply suffered my imposter syndrome. I wasn't confident in myself or in my abilities. I took up high-stakes bicycle racing and started competing as an athlete again. With track racing, I found my confidence again.