What's up. My journey to earning my PhD from Yale has been anything but straightforward. It took me longer than most to finish; I often struggled with the pressure to do things a certain way instead of trusting my own path, stretching the genre. But we figured it out: I'm here, we made it.

Now, as I'm about to graduate, I've been hit with an unexpected charge from my university. I can handle it — I try my best to plan for uncertainties — but what I had reserved for a smooth transition has had to be reallocated toward one priority: being handed my degree when I march at May's commencement.

In light of this, I'm asking for a little support as I make this shift into the next chapter. This past academic year I served as an adjunct professor (it was cute; I learned a lot), and I'm continuing to seek opportunities (both within and outside of academic institutions), because the work doesn't stop just because the dissertation is done (and the PhD was just one part of a much longer journey). If anything, this marks a beginning. I've spent years accumulating knowledge, perspective, and skill, and now it's time to move in it, make it work, make work of it. I do a lot and love to do a lot — write, photograph, teach, film — and I'm now stepping into those roles fully. No more school or studying, but turning visions into praxes. Making that shift, stepping into that light and life, feels like a community effort.

In that spirit, anything you can offer helps. As always, I'm trynna make a dollar out of 15 cents and realize my goals and dreams in real time. I appreciate you supporting me, whether in spirit or cents.

With love,

Dustin