The oldest of four children, I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up (a pediatrician to be exact), and was unaware of the challenges I would face as I navigated my education as a first-generation college student. Before going to college, I shadowed my own pediatrician and determined that I did not want to pursue a career in medicine; instead I applied to more than one dozen colleges and universities in the tri-state area, and entered Rider University as an undeclared major. Knowing that I had to chose a degree program before my sophomore year, my parents tried to be helpful in pointing out the areas they felt I would excel in but I knew that the decision came down to much more than what I was good at – it was about pursuing something I loved. By my third semester, I declared myself to be a journalism major, which I rounded out with an English minor and supplemented with several in interpersonal communication. After graduate studies at Syracuse University’s SI Newhouse School of Public Communication, writing served as my foray into development, a field which allows me to relies on relationship development, strategy and the passion for making a difference.

My genuine love of relationships and communication only grows with each new experience. In addition to my work in development, I have also served as an adjunct at Union County College; let’s face it, I never wanted to face the fact that I would have to leave education one day! Though I am prioritizing my own education through the pursuit of my EdD currently, I look forward to the day when I can return to the classroom- to see the growth in students like myself and to encourage them to dream bigger than they ever thought possible.

I am thrilled to be part of Stockton’s third EdD cohort and look forward to growing as a leader and fulfilling my dream of earning my doctorate!