Rasheedah Beatty- College Journeys: Advocating for Equal Learning Opportunities

Where did you go to college?

Ohio University in Athens, Ohio

What did you study?

Undergrad: EW Scripps School of Journalism Studying Journalism. Graduate: VisCom studying Interactive Design and Infographics

Tell us about your college experience.

My college experience was amazing socially. I found my core group of friends, many of whom I am still very close to. Academically, I would say I spent a lot of time lacking clarity – specifically in my undergraduate experience. There was so much information to retain with the expectation that there are some things you just know. There were many classes that I enjoyed and walked away feeling empowered with new information, but outside of my African American studies classes, I don’t recall feeling truly connecting to my learning experience. A lot of going through the motions and doing what I needed to do to stand out. Graduate school I found clarity with my trajectory (or at least found a passion that felt worth pursuing). My professors seemed much more interested in my development and making sure I had the tools I needed.

How do you feel that your university experience shaped you personally and professionally?

Personally, I feel like Ohio University connected me to a network of people that are thriving in their respective industries. Some of these connections became close friends others professional collaborators. I can honestly say that my University presented to me an experience, and that’s what I cherish most. Professionally, I learned self-advocacy. Going to a predominantly white institution created a very nuanced university experience for me. Always constant advocating for what I knew I needed to be successful in my college career.

Do you feel that college opened doors for you that you might not have otherwise had access to?

Of course, being decorated with multiple degrees looks good on paper, but once got into my field I quickly saw that there was so much I did not know. I fully understand that some things you just learn on the fly through experience, but after talking with my peers and taking note of the differences in the education they received I saw so many holes. College put me in the market for the jobs I wanted, it did not fully equip me with the in-field knowledge and resources that would have lifted me up in my post-grad work. I was very ambitious in my college career, and often pushed myself to retain as much as I could from the experience. I think there are layers to the why on this in higher education.

What challenges have you faced in the pursuit of higher education if any?

I’ve already mentioned the constant need for self-advocacy, but I also went to an institution that did not place enough value on the scholarships of students. Namely minoritized students. I worked every year I was in college, some years multiple jobs. Trying to maintain high-grades while working to pay for my education took a mental toll. In high-school college was always presented as a space where the possibilities are endless on what you can learn and do. The reality I faced was that there are so many hours in a day, and there is never enough time when you feel like you’re playing catch-up from the start.

There was also the harsh reality that many of my white college peers led their university experience with many unchecked biases and prejudices toward the Black students, including my professors.

Lastly, there was not enough information about post-grad opportunities and an investment on the trajectory of students in any given field. I needed to know what type of jobs can are on the market that this degree can apply to, what are reasonable starting salaries and how to navigate those conversations. An “in the weeds” look at what working in my field could look like was lacking.

Do you feel that there is a need for better access to quality education in your community? If so, explain.

Absolutely. People don’t always know what they don’t know, and the barriers placed within higher education to gatekeep “model students” is missing an entire demographic of people that desire to learn and are already extremely gifted. Many people in my community have to jump through hoops to even get in the door which is extremely discouraging. I think there needs to be more visibility and intentional efforts to bring the resources and information to prospective students.