Support David Tell's Journey to Graduation

Help Me Finish My Doctorate and Make History in My Family

My name is David Tell, and I am a first-generation college student in the final stretch of earning my Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change at Baylor University. If all goes as planned, I will defend my dissertation this fall and walk the graduation stage on December 20, 2025, becoming the first person in my immediate family to achieve this milestone.

Earlier this year, I received unexpected news from Baylor’s financial aid office: the funds awarded initially to me for this academic year had to be returned. This left me responsible for finding an additional $6,000 for my previous term, on top of the $6,000 I had already paid to settle my account and register for classes.

Now, for my final term, my balance is approximately $11,000, which must be paid in full before I can begin the fall semester. I have applied for personal loans, sought alternative funding sources, and explored every option I could find—but all have been unsuccessful. Without this funding, I will not be able to enroll, defend my dissertation, or graduate.

This journey has been years in the making. As an educator for over 20 years, I have dedicated my life to supporting students, building strong school communities, and advocating for equitable learning opportunities. My dissertation focuses on how middle school students perceive their roles as responsible, participatory, and socially conscious citizens after engaging in civic action projects—research I believe can help shape schools into places where young people see themselves as capable leaders and change-makers.

I have never been one to ask for help lightly, but I truly believe I have not come this far to only come this far. Every single contribution—no matter the amount—brings me closer to finishing what I started, honoring my family’s sacrifices, and modeling for my students that perseverance and community support can turn dreams into reality.

Your support will go directly toward:

Tuition and fees for this term at Baylor University

Graduation costs and dissertation submission requirements

Ensuring I can defend my dissertation and graduate in December 2025

Thank you for reading my story and considering supporting my journey. Together, we can make sure this chapter ends the way it was always meant to—walking across that stage, degree in hand, showing my students and my community that we can defy the odds.