Friday, May 17, 2013
Bowie State University 2013 Commencement: Michelle Obama's Inspirational Speech
Today, I had the pleasure of watching my best friend of over 10 years walk across the stage to receive her Bachelors of Science in Theater Arts. Let me first start by saying that I am so proud of my homegirl, my sister, and the luminous crystal that she has grown to be. I know God has many great things in store for her in the future. We're both going to be doing big things.
To add to the grand celebration, Bowie State's commencement speaker was none other than the First Lady of the United States of America, now Dr. Michelle Obama!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Vision: The Maleshia Jones Foundation
What good is knowledge if you don't use it for something? Or apply it to better your life or the life of another. It would be a waste to go to school to get a degree if you don't plan to do anything with it. Always begin with the end in mind. I guess it's like that sometimes.
This afternoon, while in the shower, I had somewhat of an epiphany. What would I do if I won a million dollars? I had never seriously thought of a realistic answer to this question, but I know for a fact I wouldn't go insane with materialistic endeavors.
The first few things that ran through my mind were to pay off student loans and bills, donate money to various foundations (Meyerhoff Scholarship Program, UMBC Foundation, my high school, the National Society of Black Engineers, etc.), and help out my immediate family with necessary expenditures.
Then I thought to myself, what if I started a Maleshia Jones Foundation, one that would raise money to provide academic scholarships and youth outreach programs for underrepresented communities within the Maryland area (maybe start locally on a county level and see where and how it expands). The primary foundational foci would be on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and youth outreach programs that engage students and get them interested in science and engineering. I would first direct my focus on girls in science and engineering. The underlying premise would be that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to regardless of your economic, cultural, or academic background. With guidance and support, the journey is a bit easier and more fulfilling. So much can be learned along the way. The struggle is real. I know firsthand.
I am built for this. My upbringing has allowed me to see both sides of the spectrum. It is not easy doing your best when you have so many things trying to discourage you or knock you down. Support is everything. That is what I hope to provide to young students with dwindling confidence. I want to share my stories of challenge, struggle, doubt, triumph, growth, faith, and success in hopes of inspiring others that they can succeed also and rise above barriers.
I have to get all this down because such a small seed has the potential to grow into something so great and magnificent. What I dream of may be ahead of me at the moment, but if it is meant to be, my dream will come to fruition. Soon my 'what if' will turn into a 'it is' by the grace of God. May God continue to guide me on my journey to help and bless others.
This afternoon, while in the shower, I had somewhat of an epiphany. What would I do if I won a million dollars? I had never seriously thought of a realistic answer to this question, but I know for a fact I wouldn't go insane with materialistic endeavors.
The first few things that ran through my mind were to pay off student loans and bills, donate money to various foundations (Meyerhoff Scholarship Program, UMBC Foundation, my high school, the National Society of Black Engineers, etc.), and help out my immediate family with necessary expenditures.
Then I thought to myself, what if I started a Maleshia Jones Foundation, one that would raise money to provide academic scholarships and youth outreach programs for underrepresented communities within the Maryland area (maybe start locally on a county level and see where and how it expands). The primary foundational foci would be on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and youth outreach programs that engage students and get them interested in science and engineering. I would first direct my focus on girls in science and engineering. The underlying premise would be that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to regardless of your economic, cultural, or academic background. With guidance and support, the journey is a bit easier and more fulfilling. So much can be learned along the way. The struggle is real. I know firsthand.
I am built for this. My upbringing has allowed me to see both sides of the spectrum. It is not easy doing your best when you have so many things trying to discourage you or knock you down. Support is everything. That is what I hope to provide to young students with dwindling confidence. I want to share my stories of challenge, struggle, doubt, triumph, growth, faith, and success in hopes of inspiring others that they can succeed also and rise above barriers.
I have to get all this down because such a small seed has the potential to grow into something so great and magnificent. What I dream of may be ahead of me at the moment, but if it is meant to be, my dream will come to fruition. Soon my 'what if' will turn into a 'it is' by the grace of God. May God continue to guide me on my journey to help and bless others.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
We Must Change the Culture of Science and Teaching: Freeman Hrabowski at TEDxMidAtlantic 2012
Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President of the the University of Maryland Baltimore County (my Alma Mater) speaking on the importance of STEM education. This man speaks the truth. The key is early exposure and belief in youths' potential.
Labels:
challenge,
children,
education,
engineering,
Freeman Hrabowski,
science,
STEM,
Ted Talk,
TedX,
UMBC
Monday, August 1, 2011
Destined to Think
I'm on this spiritual journey to figure out what I need to do, where I need to be, and how I'm going to get there. I ask God to grace me with the spirit of patience so that when the time comes for me fulfill my destiny, I won't be alarmed, surprised, or disobedient. I am destined to be a scientist (or at least that's what I think). Nights upon nights, I dream of solutions to problems in my sleep.
I create scenarios in which I have to speak to people in a formal manner. I think about how I'm going to approach someone or get something done. I dream about how I can solve that math problem that was just bothering me so much the night before. I organize things in my dreams, like the real Maleshia J. would do.
Do ordinary people think of science, even while they're sleeping? I'd say most don't, but I could be wrong. I'm going to take that as a sign that I'm supposed to remain in the STEM fields, PhD or not. I love this stuff, but my passion is not focused or defined at this point. There's still more time for me to get things figured out. [Yes, I know that last sentence was very passive. That's because God's going to handle it and guide me.]
I love people watching, photography, looking at art and designs, building structures. Architectural engineering sounds fun. I've determined within the last few weeks that I want to be somewhere that fuses beauty/art with design to create things are can be used and are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I think that's what I want to do. If I pursue a PhD, it has to be something that is engineering-related but has a touch of art/design (not completely mechanical design).
Wow! I feel a lot better. Just jotting this down will help me keep my word and uphold my faith. One thing I have no doubt about is that I am destined to think.
I create scenarios in which I have to speak to people in a formal manner. I think about how I'm going to approach someone or get something done. I dream about how I can solve that math problem that was just bothering me so much the night before. I organize things in my dreams, like the real Maleshia J. would do.
Do ordinary people think of science, even while they're sleeping? I'd say most don't, but I could be wrong. I'm going to take that as a sign that I'm supposed to remain in the STEM fields, PhD or not. I love this stuff, but my passion is not focused or defined at this point. There's still more time for me to get things figured out. [Yes, I know that last sentence was very passive. That's because God's going to handle it and guide me.]
I love people watching, photography, looking at art and designs, building structures. Architectural engineering sounds fun. I've determined within the last few weeks that I want to be somewhere that fuses beauty/art with design to create things are can be used and are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I think that's what I want to do. If I pursue a PhD, it has to be something that is engineering-related but has a touch of art/design (not completely mechanical design).
Wow! I feel a lot better. Just jotting this down will help me keep my word and uphold my faith. One thing I have no doubt about is that I am destined to think.
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