I’m going to Harvard! Just a few years ago, not even I could believe I’d ever say those four words, but hard work, perseverance, and the unwavering support of family, friends, and faculty and staff at Northeast State Community College and Columbia University made me believe… actually, made me know that those four words were possible for me. I feel like “we’re going to Harvard” better captures my journey thus far, and I hope to be able to move forward together, as well. Which brings me to four other words that I would have once been too self-conscious to say: I need your help.

This August, I begin a joint program with Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Law School, giving me the opportunity to earn a PhD in African American Studies and a law degree. Between Harvard’s offer and the continued support of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, I’ve earned an annual award of more than $47,000 in tuition (and fees), and my living expenses are covered. Unfortunately, I was not able to attain student housing or moving expenses, and securing housing will require at least $6,000…by next month. [Edit: Goal increased to $8,500, which will cover first month's rent, security deposit, half of the broker's fee, and GoFundMe fees).

Due to exorbitant medical debt, which is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, I could not qualify for a loan to cover relocating. And, although I have worked on campus during my time at Columbia and will continue to do so this summer to cover what I can of the moving expenses, it simply won't be enough. This leaves me in a perplexing dilemma: I’ve earned the money to attend Harvard, but I can’t afford to move to Cambridge...which is why I am asking for your help.

FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO HARVARD...MY JOURNEY:

My education journey began in 2010 when I enrolled at Northeast State Community College. I had just spent the last several years fighting for my life due to an incurable and life-threatening illness called Takayasu’s Arteritis. Facing my own mortality changed me. As soon as I was able, rather than return to my longtime job as a restaurant manager, I took a chance and enrolled in school. I was a 28-year old, divorced mother of two children from a low-income background, but I was determined to be the first in my family to earn a college degree. 

While at Northeast State, I found a group of special people who believed in me, doing so even before I believed in myself. They helped me discover potential that I never knew I had. With their support, in 2013 I graduated from Northeast State with an Associate’s Degree in Speech Communication.

My story could have ended there, but I had also been named a 2013 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, which allowed me to transfer to Columbia University’s School of General Studies. The moment I walked through Columbia’s gates, I had beaten the odds. At 31-years-old and with two children in tow, I had made it from community college to the Ivy League.

During my time at Columbia, my passion for education only deepened. Once again, a phenomenal group of people offered their support and mentorship, and I enjoyed great success. Most importantly, I discovered what I want to do with the rest of my life. I chose to major in African American Studies, and I will pursue a PhD in the same field at Harvard. I want to help—through teaching, research, and advocacy—men, women, and children involved in the criminal justice system as well as their families and the communities to which they come home after prison. The joint JD/PhD program at Harvard will help make this dream a reality. 

MOVING FORWARD:

What once seemed impossible is within reach, but I cannot get there alone. 

During my interview with the Dean of Admissions at Harvard Law, I was asked if I thought I could be successful despite the number of differences between myself and most of my class. I knew that my answer was supposed to be "yes." However, this time—for the first time in my arduous journey—my answer was genuinely "yes." I'd risen from fighting for my life in a hospital bed and having to give my kids the "mommy might go to Heaven" speech, to living a scholar's life at an Ivy League university and giving the commencement speech at my alma mater. Yes, I can. And with your support, YES, I will.

Still, hopes and dreams require ways and means to come to fruition. Please donate whatever amount you can, and know that I won't let you down... WE can do this!

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS:

Columbia University:
  - Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholarship
  - Joey O’Loughlin Scholarship
  - Graduated summa cum laude, Dean’s List, Departmental Honors
  - Jack Kent Cooke Summer Internship Stipend Award
  - Ralph Johnson Bunche Award for Leadership and Service
  - School of General Studies Service Award
  - Phi Beta Kappa Member
  - General Studies Honor Society Member
  - Academic Resource Center Student Advisory Board Member
 
Northeast State Community College:
  - Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
  - Graduated summa cum laude, President’s List, Honors Program
  - Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Chapter Officer Award (International)
  - Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Chapter Officer Award (Region)
  - All-Tennessee Academic Team 
  - Most Outstanding Student Award
  - Adult Learner of the Year Award
  - Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges
  - Phi Theta Kappa, VP of Scholarship & Regional VP At-large
  - Argumentation and Debate Society, President
  - Toastmasters International, President
  - Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, Chief of Staff to the Governor
  - President’s Student Advisory Council, Student Representative
  - Academic Affairs Committee, Student Representative
  - Student Disciplinary Committee, Student Representative
  - Scholars Foundation, Member

Admission Offers: 
  - Harvard University
  - Harvard Law School
  - University of Oxford 
  - Columbia University
  - University of California, Berkeley

ARTICLES ABOUT MY JOURNEY:

“The Journey to Giving Back - Bumps and All”
“Northeast State Graduate Wins Prestigious Cooke Scholarship”
“Beth Ross Earns Prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship”
“Northeast State Celebrates Year’s Best at Honors Convocation”
“Northeast State Wins Big at PTK Regional Competition”
“Alpha Iota Chi Earns National PTK Accolades”
“More than 1,100 Graduate from Northeast State”