Early Education
My early education was shaped as much by absence as by presence. I missed out on basic school altogether, and even at Waterford Primary School my attendance was inconsistent. The constant moving from one community to another made it difficult to remain rooted in one classroom, and school often felt like something I was chasing rather than something firmly within my grasp. Still, there are memories from those years that remain vivid. I can picture the massive iron gate I walked through to reach my classrooms, a gateway that felt both imposing and full of promise. The library also became a refuge, a quiet space where I could escape the noise of life outside. I especially remember Miss Francis, the librarian, whose calm presence and gentle kindness left a lasting impression on me. Even in a childhood marked by disruption, those small moments of stability carried great meaning.
Certifications
Certifications became one of the key building blocks in my journey out of poverty. I started back in 1998 with the Windows NT Server 4.0 certification, at a time when I was still searching for a clear path forward. Without a traditional degree, I needed something to prove both my knowledge and my determination, and certifications became that bridge. Over the years, I went on to earn more than thirty certifications, including those from Microsoft, CompTIA, and CISSP, among others. Each one was not just a credential, but a statement that I was willing to put in the effort to be employable, to carve out space for myself in a competitive industry. These certifications filled the gap that my lack of a degree once left, and in many ways, they prepared me to step into higher education with confidence eventually. Looking back, they were more than just qualifications—they were stepping stones, precursors that opened doors and fueled the climb toward a different life.
Undergrad degree
Getting accepted into York University marked a turning point in my life. After years of relying on certifications to prove my skills, I finally stepped into the world of higher education and committed myself to earning my first degree. It was not an easy path. The intensity of the coursework, combined with the demands of work and everyday life, made the journey challenging. Unlike many of my peers, I had not attended college after high school. I went straight into the workforce, focusing on survival and then building employability through certifications. By the time I began my studies at York, I was entering unfamiliar territory, but with the drive and discipline that those earlier years had given me. Completing my degree was more than just an academic milestone—it was an experience that opened my eyes to the art of the possible. It showed me that even when the path does not start in the traditional way, determination can still carry you forward into opportunities once thought out of reach.
Grad degree
Pursuing my graduate degree was one of the most demanding and rewarding chapters of my educational journey. Before enrolling at Arizona State University, I had first applied to Colorado State University and was accepted into their MBA program. However, after the death of my sister, I deferred and eventually decided not to continue with that path. Later, I chose ASU, where I embarked on a master’s program that pushed me to new limits. My time there was both amazing and challenging. Balancing work with the intensity of graduate-level study tested me in ways I had never experienced before. A master’s program is no joke—it required sleepless nights, endless reading, and constant effort to keep up. Yet through all of it, I pushed forward and made it to the finish line. I still remember standing at graduation and asking myself, how did I manage to pull this off without going insane? That moment captured the mix of exhaustion, pride, and disbelief that comes when you finally achieve something you once thought might be out of reach.
Post-grad degree
A few years after completing my master’s, I felt the drive to push further. I applied to the doctoral program at Arizona State University, was accepted, and began what would become one of the toughest journeys of my life. If the master’s program had tested me, the doctorate multiplied that challenge many times over. It demanded everything—discipline, endurance, and commitment on levels I had never known before. Yet I was fortunate to have an excellent support system along the way. Lecturers, professors, cohort members, and others provided guidance and encouragement that felt like the very best of what education has to offer. It was no longer just about survival—it was about moving into a space of genuine success, where knowledge, effort, and community came together. Crossing the stage at graduation was more than proof that I had finished the program. It was a testament to perseverance and the opening of a new chapter in my life, one defined not only by accomplishment but by the possibilities that education had unlocked.
ASU Campus
Tempe, Arizona—where knowledge truly comes alive. ASU spans multiple campuses—Tempe, West Valley, Polytechnic, Downtown Phoenix, and even an online platform—each with its own distinct personality and mission. Being part of this institution, even as just one student among many, ignited a passion within me. I am, at heart, obsessed with learning and discovery. ASU helped unlock a sleeping giant: the realization that education can transform you from mere survival to impactful success. Now, it’s my turn to take what I have learned and make a difference in the world.
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