I grew up participating in pipeline programs, like Saturday academies. I have fond memories of attending these academic support programs, because there, I could celebrate my love for learning amid other similarly motivated students. I now hold Bachelor of science degrees from N.C. State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master’s and PhD from Duke University. Often, in my formal education I have been the “first, only, or different one” in the classroom setting. I am all too familiar with how uncomfortable and isolating it can be. This is just one of several reasons that I have been intentional about supporting “pipeline programs” that create avenues to higher education for people from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the university.
Thank you for reading the above excerpt from my diversity statement. Please email me at jewelscott@sc.edu to request the full version.