Alumni Spotlights

What do you like most about your current profession?

As a literacy rescue corporation, my profession gives me the opportunity to contribute to an area that suffers the most in the African-American community. It also permits me to challenge the status quo and make inferences about new, effective, culture-based, technological approaches to education.

Who, from the SOE, had the most impact on you during your time there, and how have they impacted you?

There were three people that had the most impact on me during my stay at Morgan. The first was Dr. Bronner because in spite of all of my struggles, he never allowed me to quit. Dr. Kofi is my inspiration, he is one of the calmest people that I know, and he has one of the most effective teaching styles that I have ever seen. When Dr. Kofi explained something to me, I understood it. Lastly, is Dr. Scott, who is very mild-tempered, but effective. Each time I sat down in Dr. Scott's office, I was prepared to learn, and he had so much to teach.

How did the Mitchell SOE prepare you for your career?

My education at Morgan was like no other, as students in HBCU are constantly confronted with challenges of every type. Like many in the HBCU community, I've faced administrative issues, financial issues, resource issues, and the external biases that come along being a woman of color. My seven-year term at Morgan was no easy path, in fact it was painful. In-spite of the challenges, my experience at an HBCU gave me what the elders would refer to as "thick skin". I quickly learned how to “take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’!” In addition, my educational career at Morgan has taught me that I have to work twice as hard to get the same results as people of another gender and/or race, despite the societal imbalances. I’ve also learned that success is earned, not granted. Above all, my educational experiences have given me a sense of obligation. As a way to fulfill this obligation, I will extend my hand to those who come behind me, either in the Morgan community or beyond. As a graduate of an HBCU and the recipient of a degree possessed by less than 2% of the nation’s population, I feel like I can achieve anything and I am well-equipped for any job.

What advice would you give to current SOE students?

The first bit of advice that I would give current SOE students is, engineering is difficult, it isn’t easy. However, I was always taught that nothing of value in life comes easily; things that are worth the most, are linked to the toughest journeys. Secondly, I would advise these students to continue to reach both forward, and backward through the course of their studies. They are to reach forward when they are in doubt, and when they need help, and they are expected to reach backwards once they are confident enough in their skill to teach someone else, especially those coming behind them.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I have stood on the observation deck for years counting the days until graduation, so that I could add value. Things are changing for the best right before my eyes. When I see Morgan on television I get excited. We have come so far, and I am “Morgan Proud” of our “Crown Jewel”, but we still have many miles to go. Our journey is not over until those in HBCUs have access to the same resources, and are granted the same opportunities as those in predominately white institutions. I am still waiting to become a part of the family, as a professor, and to contribute to the change, the growth, legacy and life-long foot print that will forever impress upon the fibers of this nation.