Nottoway High School, 2022. Southside Virginia Community College, 2022 (Dual enrollment Associate’s degree). Virginia Tech, 2026 (BS, Geosciences with minors in Physics and Astronomy).

How did GRASP and its advisors help you in high school/college?

GRASP played a huge role in helping me navigate both high school and college. During my senior year of high school, Ms. August helped me tremendously, especially with navigating FAFSA and the college process as someone coming from a nontraditional background. Having that support made the process feel much less overwhelming. In college, GRASP continued to help me through monthly newsletters and resources focused on scholarships, internships, professional development, and preparing for life after graduation. During my senior year of college, I also received the College Success Scholarship, which helped significantly with living expenses since I have supported myself financially throughout college.

What are you doing now?

This fall, I begin my PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

What advice would you give to high school students?

One thing I would tell high school students is to not count themselves out and to apply to everything, even if you do not feel fully qualified. Reach out to people, send cold emails, ask questions, and introduce yourself to people working in careers you are interested in. A lot of opportunities in my life came from simply being willing to ask. A closed mouth does not get fed.

What is the biggest life challenge you faced relative to your educational path?

The biggest challenge was switching my major during my freshman year of college. I entered Virginia Tech planning to study Physics, but adjusting to a new environment and difficult coursework at the same time was overwhelming, and I struggled academically early on. I switched to Geosciences at the end of my freshman year to pursue planetary science. Looking back, that decision changed my life for the better. It helped me grow academically and personally, and it led me to research opportunities at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and UC Santa Cruz as a LAMAT Fellow. Now, I am pursuing a PhD in Astrophysics, which has shown me that setbacks do not define your future. Additionally, I serve as the Vice Student Representative for the National Society of Black Physicists."

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If you are a former GRASP student and would like to share your story, email Paula Buckley, pbuckley@grasp4va.org.