Tieisha

Born and raised in Trenton, NJ and educated in the Trenton Public School System, I learned the value of an education early. Growing up, I knew no one that had gone to college, and there were few sturdy examples of "success" in my neighborhood. I thought Trenton had nothing to offer me, and I realized that academia was my one-way ticket out of my seemingly dead-end hometown. Recently, however, I have come to see that Trenton is exactly where I need to be.

When I was a junior in high school, I became intensely involved in school and community organizations. Through these experiences, I was able to glimpse the brokenness in the schools, homes, and government agencies of the Trenton area. Now a sophomore at Columbia University, I am learning of similar social problems that exist in cities all over the U.S. Though I have not yet declared a major, I know that I will use my commitment to education to enlighten, empower, and rebuild my community and combat global poverty. 

Being an NYNY Fellow means developing the skills and knowledge I need to place me on the direct path to achieve my goals. It means being prepared to be an articulate, poised player in the professional sphere. It means being a part of a small community of like-minded young adults whose objective is to support, encourage, and inspire each other.