My journey as a Native American Mohawk woman of the Six Nations pursuing education as a single mother has been shaped by loss, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to my children. In 2011, I lost my children’s father to violence, an experience that changed my life forever and left me as the sole provider, protector, and caregiver for my family. Alongside grief, I carried the responsibility of creating stability and safety for my children while honoring the strength and values passed down through my Mohawk heritage. One of the greatest challenges I have faced has been navigating parenthood alone while maintaining financial security and pursuing education. Without a partner or consistent support system, every responsibility rests on me. Balancing full-time work, parenting, and school has required sacrifice, discipline, and endurance. There were moments when exhaustion and uncertainty felt overwhelming, but walking away was never an option. As a Mohawk mother, I draw strength from teachings of resilience, responsibility, and perseverance that have guided generations before me. Pursuing education as a single Native mother has also been deeply fulfilling. Education has given me hope beyond survival; it represents healing, empowerment, and opportunity. Each academic step forward affirms that our past does not define our future. Continuing my education allows me to reclaim space that was historically denied to Indigenous people and to show my children that learning is a powerful tool for self-determination and meaningful change. What has been most fulfilling is leading by example. My children witness my determination, my sacrifices, and my commitment to growth. I hope they understand that strength comes from honoring who we are and where we come from while striving toward a better future. I want them to be proud of their Mohawk identity and confident in their ability to succeed despite adversity. Through further education, I hope to uplift myself and my family by expanding opportunities, increasing financial stability, and continuing to serve my Native community with clarity and purpose. This scholarship would ease the financial burden of returning to school as a single Indigenous mother and allow me to focus on building a future rooted in safety, love, and opportunity. More than support, it represents belief in Native women who carry resilience forward and work tirelessly to create a better life for the next generation. This journey affirms purpose, honors ancestors, and creates hope, opportunity, strength, and healing for generations yet to come. Nya:weh (Thank you)

Returning to school has been one of the most challenging yet meaningful decisions I have made. As a single mother of three and a full-time staff member at Native American Community Services, the greatest challenge I face is balancing multiple responsibilities while staying committed to my academic goals. My days are carefully structured around work, parenting, and coursework, leaving little room for rest or flexibility. Learning to manage my time effectively while meeting the needs of my children and my employer has required constant adjustment, discipline, and sacrifice. Financial responsibility has also been a significant challenge. As the primary provider for my family, returning to school has meant stretching limited resources and making difficult choices. Tuition costs, books, and everyday expenses must all be considered carefully. While financial stress can be overwhelming at times, it has strengthened my appreciation for education and reaffirmed my belief that investing in my future will ultimately provide greater stability and opportunity for my family and community. Another obstacle I have faced is returning to an academic environment after time away from school. Adjusting to new technologies, academic expectations, and rigorous coursework required rebuilding confidence and pushing through self-doubt. At first, it was challenging to balance academic demands with responsibilities shaped by lived experience rather than traditional student life. Over time, I learned to recognize that my experiences as a parent, professional, and community member are strengths that enhance my perspective and enrich my academic work. Emotionally, returning to school has required perseverance. There are moments of exhaustion and uncertainty, but my motivation remains grounded in purpose. My children are a constant source of inspiration, and I strive to model resilience, commitment, and the value of education for them. I want them to see that growth is possible at any stage of life and that challenges can be met with determination and courage. Despite these obstacles, returning to school has been empowering. Each challenge I overcome reinforces my reasons for pursuing higher education to grow as a leader, strengthen my ability to serve Native communities, and honor the resilience passed down through my family. While the journey has not been easy, it has been transformative. Facing these challenges has prepared me to succeed academically and professionally, and it has reaffirmed my commitment to building a meaningful future rooted in service, stability, and opportunity. for the past Seven Generations -My ancestors and the next seven Generation My children are watching!

I am pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector because service, leadership, and community responsibility are deeply woven into my life story. As a single mother of three and a full-time staff member at Native American Community Services, my work is guided by lived experience and a commitment to creating meaningful, sustainable change. The nonprofit sector allows me to lead with purpose prioritizing people, culture, and equity over profit while addressing the systemic barriers that communities like mine continue to face. My desire to serve through nonprofit leadership is rooted in both professional experience and family history. I work daily with Native families who demonstrate strength and resilience despite limited access to resources and opportunities. These realities motivate me to pursue leadership roles where I can help shape programs and policies that respect culture, support families, and promote long-term stability. My communication background has shown me how critical effective leadership, ethical decision-making, and community-centered approaches are to nonprofit success. The foundation of my commitment lies in my family’s history. My great-grandmother survived the Native American boarding school system, an experience that caused profound cultural loss and generational trauma. Her survival continues to shape my values and fuels my determination to contribute to healing rather than harm. I carry her story as a reminder of why representation, accountability, and compassion in nonprofit leadership matter. Pursuing higher education and professional growth is, for me, a way to honor her resilience by helping build systems that support dignity, empowerment, and opportunity. As a future nonprofit leader, I hope my work will strengthen organizations serving Native communities by improving program effectiveness, expanding access to resources, and ensuring culturally grounded services. I plan to continue my education to develop the leadership and administrative skills necessary to guide initiatives that create measurable and lasting impact. My goal is not simply to manage programs, but to help create spaces where individuals and families feel supported, heard, and valued. The Future Nonprofit Leaders Award represents an investment in individuals who are committed to service and growth. As a nontraditional student and single parent, financial support plays a critical role in my ability to continue my education and pursue leadership opportunities. This award would help remove barriers that often prevent dedicated community servants from advancing into leadership roles. I am committed to using my education, lived experience, and professional training to lead with integrity, empathy, and accountability. Through nonprofit leadership, I hope to contribute to a future where communities are strengthened from within, cultural identity is honored, and opportunities are accessible for generations to come.

Returning to higher education at this stage in my life is not a decision I take lightly it is one shaped by experience, responsibility, and hope. As a single mother of three and a full-time staff member at Native American Community Services, my journey has required perseverance, sacrifice, and faith in the belief that education can create lasting change. Pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Buffalo State University represents not only a professional goal, but a deeply personal commitment to growth, healing, and service. Earning my undergraduate degree in Communication from the University at Buffalo while raising my children taught me resilience and determination. Balancing coursework, employment, and motherhood required constant effort, but it also confirmed that education is one of the most powerful tools available to break cycles and open doors. Through my work with Native families, I see daily how strong leadership, effective policies, and culturally informed services can transform lives. I also see the gaps where systems fall short and families bear the weight. These realities have shaped my aspiration to pursue an MPA so that I can help strengthen programs, advocate for equity, and influence solutions that truly serve communities. My commitment to this work is deeply rooted in my family history. My great-grandmother survived the Native American boarding school system, an experience marked by loss, trauma, and forced assimilation. Her survival and the resilience passed down through generations guides me every day. Returning to school is, for me, an act of honoring her strength and reclaiming pathways to leadership that were once denied to our people. I carry her story with me as motivation to ensure future generations experience opportunity, dignity, and empowerment rather than erasure. The MPA program at Buffalo State University aligns with my desire to lead with integrity, compassion, and accountability. Through this program, I plan to deepen my understanding of public service, nonprofit administration, and policy development so I can contribute meaningfully to Native-serving organizations and community initiatives. My goal is to help build systems that support families, preserve culture, and promote long-term resilience. The Debra S. Jackson New Horizons Scholarship represents hope for adult learners like me those returning to education with renewed purpose and responsibility. As a single parent, financial barriers remain one of the greatest challenges to continuing my education. This scholarship would ease that burden, allowing me to focus on academic success while providing stability for my children and continuing my service to the community. This opportunity would not only support my education but also strengthen my ability to give back. With gratitude and intention, I am committed to using my degree to uplift others, honor those who came before me, and help create a future rooted in healing, leadership, and opportunity. My Ancestors, my children are watching!!