Voices
My Father Doesn’t Trust Me
"When you grow up you will be a conservative.". My father often says this to me, an almost 30-year-old liberal, academic researcher, living in a blue state on the East Coast. This statement has always confused me, especially as my father has always encouraged me to be a strong, independent thinker... More
Linguistic Insecurity: The Anxiety of Speaking “Appropriately”
Speaking in a second language often brings unexpected challenges, especially when confidence in one’s linguistic abilities feels fragile. This anxiety, known as linguistic insecurity, arises from the fear of being misunderstood, judged, or seen as inadequate when communicating in a language that isn’t your first. “Could you speak louder?” The professor’s... More
Demystifying the Public Health PhD Application Process
When I was applying to PhD programs, I felt like I knew little about the process or what to look for in a program. I’ve loved my PhD experience, but there are many elements that shape a PhD program that I am only now aware of after being in one. More
Tied Together: A Daisy Chain of Women Who Mentor
Mirroring the ethos of the Boston University School of Public Health itself, the Emerging Women Leaders (EWL) program is rooted in evidence. Research consistently shows that mentorship plays a transformative role in advancing women’s success across academia and industry. A quick Google search turns up a multitude of studies linking... More
Sex Ed: Helping Us Become the Public Health Leaders the World Needs Right Now
What kind of public health leader do I want to be? And, how can I think about leadership as U.S. public health institutions, that until recently seemed unshakable, are gutted by our elected and appointed government leaders? As a DrPH student, I have had exceptional opportunities to think about public health... More
Navigating Isolation and Finding Community through Emerging Women Leaders
Starting a PhD is often portrayed as a journey filled with curiosity, discovery, and academic growth. But for some, it can also be an isolating experience, especially when the path you’re on doesn’t align perfectly with those around you. My work in migrant health, a field that straddles Health Services and... More
The Year That Tried to Break Me: A PhD Survival Story
At the end of a long, grueling year in my life, I failed the qualifying examination for my doctorate. Twice. In many PhD programs, there is a qualifying exam—often referred to as the "comprehensive exam" or "Advancement to Candidacy Exam"—and it is a pivotal milestone. It is designed to assess whether... More
What’s the worst that can happen?
It’s the best advice I’ve ever received—and it came from my mother when I was a child. Back then, the risks were small: trying out for the volleyball team, asking a teacher for feedback. But those moments were practice. They taught me how to sit with discomfort, take initiative, and... More
Reconciling My Personal and Academic Worlds
One summer morning, still half-asleep, my mom started a conversation that would linger with me long after. She told me about a student in her class who had openly asked her opinion on people who identify as LGBTQ. Her response was both honest and unsettling: she said she had no... More
Lessons Learned from Emerging Women Leaders
The Emerging Women Leaders (EWL) Program is a career mentorship program for doctoral students at Boston University School of Public Health. It aims to inspire and support the next generation of leaders by equipping them with essential skills and insights to advance their professional development and thrive in their current... More
Oh, The Places My Life Coach Led Me!
I am often asked, “What’s your secret for working full-time, raising three children, and pursuing your doctoral degree?” I simply utter my scripted answer: “only by the grace of God.” In truth, though faith in God is my constant companion, grief led the leap into this journey. In November 2018, my... More
How a Mentorship Program Helped Me Develop an Essential Skill
Rejection can be disheartening, but learning how to recover and grow from it is essential. During the Emerging Women Leaders seminar “Reflections on Rejections” led by Dr. Sarah Lipson, we engaged in an insightful conversation about handling rejections in our careers. Here are the three lessons I took away: Know When... More
How to Nurture Wholeness on the Doctoral Journey: Musings from a Tired, Hopeful ABD (All But Dissertation)
Starting a doctoral journey is a huge commitment. While I knew this before I started my program, I don’t think I fully understood the extent of this commitment until I was in it. There is a constant onslaught of assignments and tasks to complete, as well as milestones to hit. More
How a Mentorship Training Transformed My Professional and Personal Growth
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become not just a good leader, but an inspiring mentor in the field of public health? Earlier this year, I discovered the answer through a mentorship training program, hosted by Emerging Women Leaders at the Boston University School of Public Health, where... More