🎓 15 Rapid-Fire Questions About My College Journey

1. What inspired you to go back to school and finish your degree?
I wanted to go back to school to get my degree because I understand how important higher education is in this world. My paternal grandparents went to college, my parents went to college, my siblings went to college — so there was never a question of if I would finish, just when.

2. Why did you take time off from school?
I took time off because of financial pressure. I didn’t qualify for financial aid, and there was a lot going on with my family. I actually lost my maternal grandfather during that time, so I stepped away to help, work, and get settled. About a year and a half later, when life had calmed down and I’d moved, I went back — and that decision changed everything.

3. How did you choose your major, and why STEM?
I chose my major based on what I felt would both benefit me and serve society. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Technological Entrepreneurship and Management from Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and W. P. Carey School of Business. I chose STEM because, as a Black woman, I wanted to be part of a field where we need more representation — and because I knew it would give me an edge when it came to my career.

4. What was the hardest part about balancing school and real life?
The hardest part was feeling like I wasn’t on the same timeline as my friends. Since I took time off, a lot of people my age were already moving on with their lives, and I sometimes felt like I was missing out on the fun side of college — but it was worth it.

5. How has your education shaped who you are today?
My education taught me how to move through rooms, navigate systems, persevere, and show up for myself. It’s not just about earning a degree — it’s about representing the people who will come behind me and showing them that they can do it too.

6. What does being a Black woman in STEM mean to you?
It means everything. It means strength, representation, and purpose. Being a Black woman in STEM to me means I can overcome anything — and it shows that I care about society and want to contribute, whether that’s through technology, business, or innovation.

7. Did you ever doubt yourself?
Absolutely. Especially in the upper-level finance and calculus classes — those were tough. There were moments when I thought, Maybe I’m just not smart enough. But I learned that if you keep trying, if you keep showing up, you’ll eventually succeed.

8. Who or what kept you motivated?
My family, my friends, my bosses — everyone who supported me after 2019. That small circle of people really kept me going, and they know who they are.

9. How did faith play a role in your academic journey?
Faith played a huge role. I literally wrote prayers on Post-it notes and stuck them to my computer before exams. Whenever I felt anxious or overwhelmed, I’d pray. It was God’s strength that got me through — not my own.

10. What did your degree teach you outside the classroom?
Perseverance. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but that doesn’t mean you give up. It means you try again, look at the problem from a different angle, and keep finding solutions until one works.

11. How did your time at ASU influence you?
ASU showed me the lifestyle I wanted to live — surrounded by success, hard work, and community. Seeing my professors and peers who had long-standing ties to ASU inspired me to want to be part of that legacy and carry myself with that same sense of pride.

12. What’s one misconception about going back to school as an adult?
That it’s embarrassing. It’s not! College is full of people of all ages, especially once you get past your general classes. Education has no age limit. You’re never too late to start.

13. What advice would you give to women thinking about finishing their degree?
Go for it. Whether you want to build a family, a business, or a legacy — do it. Education opens doors and gives you confidence. It’s powerful to see women thriving in spaces that weren’t always built for us.

14. What would you tell your younger self about college?
Girl, take it seriously — but don’t take it too seriously. You’re here to learn and live. These memories and friendships will stay with you forever. Have fun. Don’t stress so much. Enjoy the journey.

15. How does it feel now to say, “I did it”?
It feels incredible. Every time I look at my degree, I feel like I’m walking across that stage again. That feeling of excitement and accomplishment never fades — and I don’t think it ever will.

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