Public Speaking & Advocacy
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The following articles are examples of my ability to speak publicly as well as be an advocate professionally. I have never been shy when it comes to public speaking, whether that is for class or work or just personally I want to do. The first article is one featuring the student speakers for Towson's commencement ceremonies for 2022. I was spotlighted for the school of Business and Economics because I was the selected student speaker. The next article was done by the Baltimore Sun about minority students in Advanced Placement classes. Because my principal knew I was very articulate and outspoken on social justice issues, she invited me to be in the conversation with the other professors and students. This was a very engaging and insightful conversation we had with perspectives from students and teachers. I got to share my experience being one of few minority students in AP classes, and how I felt in those situations, as well as how I was in those classes to begin with. The second article is similar, but more focused on higher education among minority students. One classmate of mine who is also a minority in AP classes had a very different path to those courses, so our experiences were compared and contrasted throughout the panel session at Georgetown University. I also organized and spoke at dialogues our high school held on social issues going on at the time which allowed the students to feel heard and respected by the teachers as well as by each other.
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I included these because I think one thing that sets me apart from others is my ability to speak publicly or in groups without being too anxious. I am very articulate and persuasive, and am willing to engage in productive conversations even if they aren't with someone I agree with. These experiences have showed me how differently people are in how they strive to make change. Some people prefer writing, some speaking, some (like me) enjoy both. I think it is very helpful for organization to write out points you want to make, but I wouldn't let anyone else speak for me if it was something I am passionate about. I love the ability to really express my ideas and opinions so it is translated to the audience with sincerity.
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This has inspired me to continue writing and speaking when I can. Whether it is a presentation at work or for a class, I do not shy away from the opportunity. I think this is a great way for people to get to know someone, how they speak and what they speak about. I have considered careers in training and development, which would include a lot of public speaking and interaction among people with various opinions. My ability to be coherent and articulate, as well as feel confident publicly speaking is one that makes me a very valuable asset to any organization.
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Quotes from, Within integrated schools, de facto segregation persists, by Erica Green:
"Senior Victoria Howard said her parents had pushed her to take gifted and talented classes since elementary school"
"Victoria Howard said being in classes with black students made her feel more at ease, but she believes "nothing changes if everyone's just too comfortable...Exposing people to being around different kinds of people is how we acclimate and how we change," she said. "And that's important when we leave high school. Because out in the world, you don't get to pick who you're around."
Quotes from, Students Are Smarter Than They — or Their Teachers — Think, by Jason Wermers:
“I had friends who were in the regular classes whom I could see that it was really hard for them to step up in the classes if they were on the regular track from elementary school even to middle school,” said Howard, “It just kind of seemed like you were kind of set where you were.”
"The experiences described by Peterson and Howard starkly illustrate a finding in a research paper by Nicholas Papageorge, an assistant professor of economics at Johns Hopkins University"
“Teacher expectations matter,” Papageorge said, summarizing the research. “We do find evidence of a causal effect” on student outcomes.
"Race appears to have something to do with expectations. An earlier research paper, Papageorge said, showed that, on average, white teachers are 30 percent less likely to say that a black student will go on to college than a black teacher would say of the same student"
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Quotes from, TU grads: From passion to purpose by Kyle Hobstetter & Rebecca Kirkman:
"“Growing up I never thought I'd end up in HR. I thought of HR as Toby from ‘The Office,’ like who wants to be him? You know?” she adds with a laugh. “And I was like, I think I do want to be him—but hopefully a little more fun.”"
“It will help get my foot in the door, and then I can take it from there,”
“Once I found HR and diversity, I was like, I might be able to help people, I might be able to make a difference, I might be able to change corporate America—even if it's just a little bit,” she says. “That's where I can channel all of this energy and passion I have.”