Strategies for Youth

Social change for me is about creating strategies that improve the lives of others. The MSSP program cultivated a desire in me to learn about the practices, research, and theory behind effective policies that positively contribute to the lives of youth.

Through the Capstone Seminar, I participated in an internship program with the American Youth Policy Forum, based in Washington, DC. I was also able to assist in policy forums on Capitol Hill where I learned about effective policies and programs with a mission to improve educational opportunities of youth.

These experiences influenced my desire to join the staff of Reach for College!, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC that aims to increase the number of traditionally disadvantaged youth attending and graduating from a postsecondary education.

I wanted to learn more about the theory and research behind effective practices that actualize this goal, so I enrolled in a doctoral program at George Mason University. For my dissertation, I am exploring what may be contributing to a negative achievement gap at a four-year public, mid- Atlantic university.