Let's get Rocío to Harvard!
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Let's get Rocío to Harvard!
I can't think of anyone I would be more excited to support on this amazing educational journey than Rocío. She came to the United States as a little girl, her roots being in Mexico and Nicaragua. School can be especially challenging for undocumented students. Yet Rocío learned to use her voice from a young age, wanting to make the world a better place because of the obstacles she and her family faced. In the 28 years since her arrival here, I have seen her become an unstoppable force for undocumented students, mental health advocacy, and social justice in her community. What impresses and excites me most about watching her educational, professional, and personal journey is that she leads (and has always led) from the heart. Rocío is the kind of person who does not ask of others what she is unwilling to do herself. As a community-appointed "goal-model", she frequently shares her story using vulnerable disclosures to show others what is possible and important in life. Whether she is advocating for her siblings in local organizations or helping students pursue higher education, Rocío leads with love, empathy, and integrity.
When I asked her why she wanted to go to school on the other side of the country, she told me,
" I am excited about expanding my knowledge and growing my network to make my dreams a reality. I will be studying Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship (ELOE) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I have two main projects I will be taking with me to class:
1. My new organization relaunch from I AM Empowerment LLC (link: www.iamempowermentllc.com) a Transformational Leadership organization, to Fiera LLC, a fierce organization centered on young womxn of color. To impact the lives of young womxn of color through confidence building, uplifting their voices, and helping them find their inner power. To be bold and to be fierce.
2. The Monarch Center, a social purpose organization, centered on undocumented youth. To create an empowering space for undocumented immigrant youth providing educational services and resources, mental health services to help them heal from trauma, and to help them feel cared for and loved by their community through mentorship programs.
I want to invest as much time and energy on these two organizations in the ELOE program, and Harvard will help me get to the next level. My courses will focus on growing these organizations."
Harvard is truly lucky to have her, but unfortunately, this part of her hero's journey doesn't come cheap. Despite a generous scholarship of $29,000, the Cost of Attendance for the 1-year ELOE Masters program is $84,844. This leaves an Unmet Need of $55,844. Not including moving costs.
(Tuition $51,904 - HU Health Insurance $4,040 - Student Health Fee $1,242 - Room & Board $21,130 - Books & Supplies $866 - Personal Expenses $4,240 - Transportation $1,422 - Moving Costs $?)
Rocío's years as an undocumented undergrad student were mentally and emotionally challenging, and traumatic. This reflected in her grades in some quarters. It would be amazing for her to get to attend school this time without having to worry about where she's going to live the next quarter. Or if she'll be able to afford a healthy meal or will have to attend events to get leftovers. What if she could go to Harvard fully focused, with the proper nourishment, and living in a stable place? What if, for once, she could have the opportunity to just be a student without having to step into that familiar role of a struggling, undocumented student? She has already moved mountains as a low-income, undocumented, first-generation student of color. Can you imagine what she would be capable of if she were not in survival mode?
Please help us get her there (or as close as we can). If you're unable to contribute money, we completely understand. Please help us out by sharing the campaign so that the many people Rocío has impacted for the better can give back and send her to Harvard!
"Thank you for investing in my education and believing in me. Thank you for being part of my journey in changing the world!" - Rocío
I can't think of anyone I would be more excited to support on this amazing educational journey than Rocío. She came to the United States as a little girl, her roots being in Mexico and Nicaragua. School can be especially challenging for undocumented students. Yet Rocío learned to use her voice from a young age, wanting to make the world a better place because of the obstacles she and her family faced. In the 28 years since her arrival here, I have seen her become an unstoppable force for undocumented students, mental health advocacy, and social justice in her community. What impresses and excites me most about watching her educational, professional, and personal journey is that she leads (and has always led) from the heart. Rocío is the kind of person who does not ask of others what she is unwilling to do herself. As a community-appointed "goal-model", she frequently shares her story using vulnerable disclosures to show others what is possible and important in life. Whether she is advocating for her siblings in local organizations or helping students pursue higher education, Rocío leads with love, empathy, and integrity.
When I asked her why she wanted to go to school on the other side of the country, she told me,
" I am excited about expanding my knowledge and growing my network to make my dreams a reality. I will be studying Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship (ELOE) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I have two main projects I will be taking with me to class:
1. My new organization relaunch from I AM Empowerment LLC (link: www.iamempowermentllc.com) a Transformational Leadership organization, to Fiera LLC, a fierce organization centered on young womxn of color. To impact the lives of young womxn of color through confidence building, uplifting their voices, and helping them find their inner power. To be bold and to be fierce.
2. The Monarch Center, a social purpose organization, centered on undocumented youth. To create an empowering space for undocumented immigrant youth providing educational services and resources, mental health services to help them heal from trauma, and to help them feel cared for and loved by their community through mentorship programs.
I want to invest as much time and energy on these two organizations in the ELOE program, and Harvard will help me get to the next level. My courses will focus on growing these organizations."
Harvard is truly lucky to have her, but unfortunately, this part of her hero's journey doesn't come cheap. Despite a generous scholarship of $29,000, the Cost of Attendance for the 1-year ELOE Masters program is $84,844. This leaves an Unmet Need of $55,844. Not including moving costs.
(Tuition $51,904 - HU Health Insurance $4,040 - Student Health Fee $1,242 - Room & Board $21,130 - Books & Supplies $866 - Personal Expenses $4,240 - Transportation $1,422 - Moving Costs $?)
Rocío's years as an undocumented undergrad student were mentally and emotionally challenging, and traumatic. This reflected in her grades in some quarters. It would be amazing for her to get to attend school this time without having to worry about where she's going to live the next quarter. Or if she'll be able to afford a healthy meal or will have to attend events to get leftovers. What if she could go to Harvard fully focused, with the proper nourishment, and living in a stable place? What if, for once, she could have the opportunity to just be a student without having to step into that familiar role of a struggling, undocumented student? She has already moved mountains as a low-income, undocumented, first-generation student of color. Can you imagine what she would be capable of if she were not in survival mode?
Please help us get her there (or as close as we can). If you're unable to contribute money, we completely understand. Please help us out by sharing the campaign so that the many people Rocío has impacted for the better can give back and send her to Harvard!
"Thank you for investing in my education and believing in me. Thank you for being part of my journey in changing the world!" - Rocío
Co-organizers (2)
Kim Jansen
Organizer
Yakima, WA
Rocío Carrión
Beneficiary
Rocío Carrión
Co-organizer