Get Gabby Graduated
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Gabrielle Ballard, but everyone calls me Gabby. I am currently a Senior at MIT studying Computer Science and Anthropology. I came to MIT with the goal of learning how to use technology to make the world better, but then I realized I didn’t even know what “the world” is really like, so I began studying anthropology. With both these fields, I hope to work in STEM education at the intersection of the technology and the people involved. MIT has taught me that I cannot solely understand technology OR solely understand people. I need to find a balance between understanding and learning what people need and what technology can do to improve their conditions.
I’ve really catered my schoolwork to help me accomplish this goal. At first, I was mainly studying straight up CS. Then a friend recommended that I join a research lab, MIT’s Teaching Systems Lab. Here, I was able to combine coding skills and interest in social justice to build a game with the goal of helping teachers build empathy with their students. When I got into education classes more, I realized that I loved learning about the human component of… well life. So I picked up some anthropology and education classes and did some research in those fields as well.
Outside of class, I have been the Co-Chair of the Black Women’s Alliance, the Co-chair of the Black Students’ Union, and a choreographer for Sakata Afrique, MIT’s only African and Caribbean dance team. These groups have allowed me to meet and learn from students all around campus and serve as a mentor and a friend. I have also been a member of the African Students’ Association and Palestine @ MIT which has given me the opportunity to learn about cultures that I did not grow up in.
In order to secure the bag, as they say, I also work in the admissions office for the multicultural recruitment team and in the Women’s & Gender Studies office as a student assistant. I help to organize and run events especially ones targeted towards underserved communities. This has been a great way to get compensation for a lot of the work that I do for my student groups!!
I KNOW that my MIT experience has been amazing because of the people I have met who have changed my perspective on the purpose of education and what I believe to be the purpose of my life. I hope to continue to lean on members of my community to pay for school! If you have anything to contribute, it would be greatly appreciated.
As a result of the donations so far, I’ve registered for classes and am officially still an MIT student, but I am precariously close to being in a similar stressful circumstance next semester. I’m over halfway done paying and can almost taste my degree but am looking for help to actually finish. Again, everything helps and I’m so grateful for every time that has been donated so far!
If you know of anyone or any resources that can help, please share! Thanks again family.
With Love,
Gabby B
I’ve really catered my schoolwork to help me accomplish this goal. At first, I was mainly studying straight up CS. Then a friend recommended that I join a research lab, MIT’s Teaching Systems Lab. Here, I was able to combine coding skills and interest in social justice to build a game with the goal of helping teachers build empathy with their students. When I got into education classes more, I realized that I loved learning about the human component of… well life. So I picked up some anthropology and education classes and did some research in those fields as well.
Outside of class, I have been the Co-Chair of the Black Women’s Alliance, the Co-chair of the Black Students’ Union, and a choreographer for Sakata Afrique, MIT’s only African and Caribbean dance team. These groups have allowed me to meet and learn from students all around campus and serve as a mentor and a friend. I have also been a member of the African Students’ Association and Palestine @ MIT which has given me the opportunity to learn about cultures that I did not grow up in.
In order to secure the bag, as they say, I also work in the admissions office for the multicultural recruitment team and in the Women’s & Gender Studies office as a student assistant. I help to organize and run events especially ones targeted towards underserved communities. This has been a great way to get compensation for a lot of the work that I do for my student groups!!
I KNOW that my MIT experience has been amazing because of the people I have met who have changed my perspective on the purpose of education and what I believe to be the purpose of my life. I hope to continue to lean on members of my community to pay for school! If you have anything to contribute, it would be greatly appreciated.
As a result of the donations so far, I’ve registered for classes and am officially still an MIT student, but I am precariously close to being in a similar stressful circumstance next semester. I’m over halfway done paying and can almost taste my degree but am looking for help to actually finish. Again, everything helps and I’m so grateful for every time that has been donated so far!
If you know of anyone or any resources that can help, please share! Thanks again family.
With Love,
Gabby B
Organizer
Gabby Ballard
Organizer
Plainfield, NJ
