This month my blog is a little different, I am going to tell you a little story that changed my life. And I am also using this as an appreciation for the person who is the protagonist in this story. It was Fall 2015, I had just made my way to graduate school. Iit was my first semester at Penn State. I was excited, I was scared, I was all kinds of emotions. The reality was that I was struggling to find my place after finally 4 years at University of Arizona feeling like I took up space there and felt proud of it. And now, all of the sudden, by choice, I rip myself from that space into the abyss, the unknown of PSU. In my efforts to find that sense of belonging again, I connected with the director of diversity and equity in my college. She told me that in October there would be a recruitment event in which I could participate in and talk to students about applying to Penn State and graduate school in general. Of course I jumped at the opportunity because I LOVE connecting with other students. Weeks went by and it was finally to help with the recruitment event. Students were coming to visit Penn State from all across the country. It was so amazing to see other students excited about the prospect of attending graduate school. And then I saw her… August. She was sitting amongst the group but something about her caught my eye. She was smart, confident, and so sure about her intention to go to graduate school. I could see it in how she spoke and in the pep in her step. Of course being Lorena, I approached her and got talking to her. She told me she was finishing her Bachelor's at MSU and we really connected over random things. During that whole recruitment weekend, I remember her being my favorite and I encouraged her to stay connected in case she needed help with the application process to PSU. Of course, little Miss August did contact me to look at her personal statement. I was so excited about the prospect of her coming to PSU because I could already sense that we would be friends… what I did not anticipate is that she would become more like a sister to me. Fast forward to February 2016, August got into PSU and was coming to our visit weekend. I was so excited to see her again, especially because she had already committed to coming to PSU!! So now we really got to know each other and talk about her plans for when she would join us in the Fall. Naturally, I was assigned to be her first year buddy and this assignment unfolded into me becoming an unofficial mentor for August. We would check-in regularly. I would also go check if she was in her office just to see how her days were going. I always remember complaining to her about how cold it was during the winter and she would laugh at me because you know she is a Michigan native. I remember these small and meaningful interactions because it is what brought us closer and closer together. And as the program years seemed to fly by, we bonded even more over our shared experiences of women of color and getting to go to the NCFR conference together where we would always be roommates! Yes, August had to deal with peppy Lorena at 7am haha, although I am sure annoying I think she appreciated my excitement early in the morning during our conference trips. And then somewhere in my 5th year of graduate school and August’s 4th year, it hit me, August had become more than just a friend and fellow grad student; this woman was family to me. I always remember sharing my most exciting and lowest moments with August and even though she was younger, somehow she always knew what to say and was God sent reminding of me how much bigger our FAITH was in even the worst of moments. We always supported each other in research, in academics, in friendship, and most importantly in faith. And August, today, you defended your dissertation. I could not be any more proud of you. All those battles with research and never ending writing assignments are finally paying off. All those battles with a system that constantly fought against you simply because you are Black women are finally settling down. August you are truly the epitome of Black girl magic. I remember when in your first year you felt like you were struggling and trying to find your footing, and I sat you down and reassured you everything would be okay because I knew it would be. August, you are so intelligent, beautiful, and all around amazing human-being. I never doubted this day would come and I would be able to call you Dr. Jenkins. And I am so grateful I get to share in this joy with you and continue to share in your journey into your career as a whole doctora! I hope you know how much of a difference you already have made in my life and that graduate school would have not been the same or possible without you. I love you so much Dr. Jenkins. I still see that little August I met some 7 years ago, except now she has blossomed into a whole doctora ready to take on the world. And I have no doubt Dr. Jenkins that YOU will show the world how it is done. For everyone reading this blog, I shared this story to show you how sometimes amazing relationships come together while you are searching for something else. And never underestimate the power of connecting with others in your programs or communities that could be a difference in your success. I titled this blog powerful you, poederso yo because I think this story shows exactly that… in my efforts to empower August, I also ended up being empowered by her. The more we share love and empowerment with each other the more we all blossom. Take it from me… go out there and be the difference for someone, it could change your life. |
AuthorDr. Lorena Aceves unapologetically telling you the real deal about being brown in an academic world, but deciding she is going to be her authentic self and make her wildest dreams come true en esta vida! Archives
November 2022
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