接受了挑战

For Cecilia Bwanakweri ’23, ’24 MSL, 皇冠体育 + provided excellent leadership skills, self-development, and self-discovery.

塞西莉亚九岁时从非洲的赞比亚来到美国。

教育对她的家庭来说非常重要。 所以，当她有机会继续她的大学教育时，她决定去争取。

“I have always loved challenging myself,” said Cecilia. “Because of my background and being a first-generation student, I thought 皇冠体育 + was a good opportunity because it would be a challenge.” Because Cecilia is naturally an introvert, she decided to jump into the 战略领导硕士 program to grow leadership skills that didn’t come naturally to her.

该项目帮助塞西莉亚提高了自我意识，并提供了自我发展的机会。 她将这些发现应用到她作为凯瑟琳麦考利中心教育项目协调员的工作中，在那里她与教育服务团队和志愿者导师一起为难民和移民成人学生提供英语课程。

“My classes have benefitted me personally by allowing me to see why I choose to do things a specific way,” said Cecilia. “我学会了认识到自己的长处和领导风格，并把它们运用到我目前的工作中。”

虽然和事业有成的成年人一起上课对塞西莉亚来说是一种适应，但她还是找到了一种方法，走出了自己的舒适区，拥抱自己的一切。

“At first, I asked myself how do I shine in a room where I feel like everyone is above me,” said Cecilia. “After communicating with my instructors and opening up about my background, I felt more understood and comfortable.”

Jennifer McNabb and 莱西Ritter helped encourage and instill confidence in her so she would push herself to partake in a program she could handle.

“Jennifer McNabb always told me that she believed in me. She helped me deal with the anxiety of feeling like I couldn’t participate in 皇冠体育 + because of my background,” said Cecilia.

“莱西Ritter always welcomed me, made me feel good enough, and supported me with school and life after graduation,” shared Cecilia.

因为Cecilia决定进行下一步的教育，她觉得皇冠体育 +的硕士学位课程和自我认同会让她更容易找到工作。

“I can find a job I love, regardless of the money, while applying everything I’ve learned about myself,” said Cecilia.

塞西莉亚建议那些想参加这个项目的人不要因为开始新事物的焦虑而放弃这个绝佳的机会。

“Don't overthink it, and don’t be scared to ask many questions,” said Cecilia. “You bring skills and talents to class that nobody else has, so don’t be intimidated by the others.”