Support Gabriel Pulido's Recovery and Transition

Hello everyone, my name is Gabriel Pulido and I recently earned my doctoral degree in Higher Education. While I am thrilled about my recent accomplishment, as I write this, I am filled with mixed emotions- shame, anxiety, anger, but above everything hope.

This past academic year was challenging for me as I worked on finishing my doctoral degree while having surgery that addressed my ongoing diverticulitis. Unfortunately, the surgery did not go as intended, as such I had to adjust to living with an ostomy bag for 6 months. Last July, this temporary circumstance was successfully reversed. Despite the traumatic experience, with a lot of support from my community, I was able to finish on time and secure a tenure-track assistant professor position. It is not easy for me to admit I need help but, unfortunately, I am facing several financial obstacles while I navigate the transition period from graduate student to assistant professor.

On July 1st 2024, I am having another surgery which will prevent me from instructing a summer course I was scheduled to teach at Penn State. This decision, combined with no access to my relocation funds (as I am heading to California for family support), has put me in an incredibly challenging position. This is especially frustrating as I negotiated moving funds, and arranged a summer teaching opportunity knowing I would not have income until September. As carefully as I planned, surgery in a month was not something I anticipated.

Unfortunately, like other newly minted first-generation Ph.D.’s, I do not have access to resources to navigate this circumstance. Asking for help is very difficult, and in true to me fashion, I have thought about this over and over and concluded doctorate or not, I do not have the resources to keep afloat. For many of us, earning a doctorate is read as ‘making it,’ but the truth is starkly different. I recognize the job market is very challenging, and I am very grateful to have secured a job. Still, I will not begin working until August which means I won't receive a check until September.

I seek to crowdsource $9,000 to cover the essential moving costs, security deposits, and most importantly my rent and cost of living for the 6 weeks in which I will be in recovery. These funds will help alleviate the financial pressure I face, and allow me to focus on healing and preparing for a very exciting new journey as an Assistant Professor. I do not take this lightly and promise to pay this forward, once I gain financial stability.

Thank you for taking the time to read this statement, sharing with your networks, and providing any help you can offer. I wish you all a joy-filled and peaceful summer.

-Gabriel