Blog Assignment 1: Bio

Hello Everyone,

This is just a little about my current research experience and why I decided to attend UIUC. I have been intrigued by questions about academic achievement ever since I was in elementary school. As a child, school was not easy for me. I struggled with dyslexia, which sometimes makes it hard to read and write correctly. Even though, I had a difficult time in school I learned coping mechanisms that made it possible for me to overcome my dyslexia and enter into honors reading courses. As an adult, people rarely notice my disability unless I am taking a timed test or am asked to read unfamiliar words. By learning to cope with Dyslexia I realized that with determination I can overcome most obstacles and I was able graduated high school with honors and at the top of my graduating class. Certainly, I am an extraordinary case, as I recognize not everyone is granted the support I received to achieve. As a result, my learning experiences as a multiracial female, have led me to wonder what factors allow the achievement gap to persist between racial and ethnic minorities and the majority group and the impact the gap has on multiracial students as they are the fastest growing population of school age children according to the 2010 United States Census. My experiences as a student at Grambling State University have afforded me the opportunity to conduct preliminary research on the topic, but I now seek to refine my skills and methods in your College of Education.

Over the past four years, Grambling State University has provided me with the opportunity to grow both as a student and as a scholar by providing me with a wonderful mentor in the person of Dr. Walter Davis. Under Dr. Davis’ his tutelage I learned that sociological research has the ability to answer most if not all my questions about multiracials and education. Unfortunately due to limitations in available resources at my undergrad institution, I was unable to conduct a full research project. However, through Dr. Davis, I came to know Dr. Angel Harris, a Grambling graduate and Princeton University Sociology professor. During Dr. Harris’ return for Homecoming 2010, I shadowed him, learned more about his research on the black-white academic achievement gap, and eventually enrolled in a Skype class he offered in which he taught the fundamentals of sociological research. After completing the course, Dr. Harris suggested I apply to the “Princeton Summer Undergraduate Research Experience”. With his encouragement, I did, was accepted, and had my first real research experience. Dr. Harris taught me how to formulate a research question, to use a statistical package (SPSS), and through him, I gained a better understanding for how research is conducted. My research project that summer was one of the hardest things I have ever accomplished but I became addicted to gaining empirical answers to my research questions.

            After returning to Grambling and taking both statistics and research methods my senior year, I was eager to conduct more research at a larger, more resourced institution. That summer I had the opportunity to conduct research at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and work in the Education Policy Organization and Leadership department with Dr. James D. Anderson. Working with Dr. Anderson, I grew both personally and professionally and rekindled the passion I have for my unique outlook on how the achievement gap’s is researched. Over the summer I argued against the current ways that researchers account for multiracials: (1) either by categorizing multiracials in one of the preexisting racial groups which unabashedly forces them to select one of their heritages over the other or (2) ignore them completely. I contested both these methods and revealed their underlying flaw: the researcher’s findings could change based upon the classification option the researcher chooses to use. In this way, I was able to meaningfully contribute to the body of knowledge and reaffirm my identity as a researcher. 

            My summer experience at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign helped me refine my research goals, and I plan to continue my scholarly pursuits by working with the rich and diverse faculty in the Education department. I currently plan to continue examining biracials' academic achievement within the black-white achievement gap.  Particularly, I am interested in working with Drs. James D. Anderson, William Trent and Lorenzo Baber. Drs. Anderson and Trent both helped me tremendously throughout my summer with them guiding my ideas for future research. Though I was unable to meet with Dr. Baber over the summer, his research interest in studying the black-white achievement gap at predominately white institutions is very similar to mine, thus, I believe I have much to gain. All in all, it is my sincere hope that one-day researchers will look at multiracials as a uniquely identifiable population to gain a better understanding of where multiracials fit within American society. 

Until Next Time

Molly