It has been 12 years since I graduated from Harvard Extension, and over the last decade, my life has changed dramatically as a result of the doors that HES opened for me. It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to serve on the HEAA Board of Directors for the past two years, and I feel ready and excited to continue to give back to the HEAA community, to support other alumni and current students in furthering themselves as students, building networks with one another, and eventually emerging as leaders.
Growing up an English Learner and the youngest daughter of first-generation Indian parents, I never would have dreamed of becoming a leader in any capacity nor would I have believed it possible for me to attend a prestigious educational institution like Harvard. But my experience at HES, changed my perspective not only on who I was but on who I could become. I have had the distinction of serving as the Superintendent of the Everett Public Schools and now the Brockton Public Schools. As the leader of these districts, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that our students feel connected to their classmates, their educators, their school district and their overall community, as these connections support their future success. I am proud of what I have accomplished, and I feel that I can replicate this work in the HEAA community.
I have entered the phase of my life and career in which I feel strongly about giving back to my community and engaging in social justice work. I am most passionate about ensuring that women of color feel empowered to become leaders in their respective fields and in their personal, educational, and professional communities. Thus, I feel poised to serve on the HEAA Board of Directors with the hopes of fostering connections amongst alumni and building a bright future for those who graduate from HES.
