Faith Long

Motivation to pursue graduate studies at FSU

I am the great-granddaughter of a sharecropper, the daughter of a correctional officer, and the niece of an ex-felon. These personal connections, combined with my early involvement in community activism, have given me a firsthand understanding of how deeply social inequities affect marginalized communities. My life experiences, shaped by generational struggles and resilience, have made it clear how these inequities undermine American democracy—impacting family structures, healthcare, housing, education, and income across generations. From a young age, I was driven by a desire to "improve things" in our society through education and a commitment to meaningful change. As our country continues to confront increasing political divisiveness, the need to address disparities in healthcare, housing, education, economic opportunity, and the criminal justice system becomes even more urgent. Choosing to further my education at the Askew School of Public Administration has provided me with a strong foundation in social policy and the conceptual and analytical tools necessary to conduct impactful research—research that can influence and drive forward meaningful policy reform.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

The well-being of families, particularly those in poor and low-income communities, is threatened by persistent challenges in health care, housing, education, and economic security. Addressing these issues through evidence-based, thoughtful social policy is more urgent than ever. I am committed to conducting research that offers a framework for developing policies that uplift and empower communities. The opportunity to engage in meaningful research at the Askew School, while sharing my own lived experiences as a community advocate, is a very critical component of the work that I do to help empower communities.

Career aspirations

My aspirations are deeply rooted in my passion for making a meaningful impact on my community, as well as other communities. One of my key goals is to attend law school, where I can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to advocate for those who are underserved and marginalized. I am particularly interested in policy-making, as I believe that systemic change starts with the right laws and initiatives. Alongside my legal aspirations, I plan to continue building the capacity of my nonprofit organization, Many Voices OnePeople. While we have been focused on tackling food insecurity, I want to expand our efforts to address housing insecurity as well. By facilitating housing development projects, I aim to provide sustainable housing solutions for those who need it most. My vision is to create a future where everyone has access to both basic necessities—like food and shelter—and the opportunity to thrive in a supportive community.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Graduate school is undoubtedly demanding, but it's been invaluable in shaping my life's work. The education I've received has deepened my knowledge, while the connections and friendships I've made along the way have been incredibly rewarding. It's a challenging journey, especially while working full-time, but one that offers tremendous growth both personally and professionally.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I am cofounder and executive director of Many Voices OnePeople Corp. (MVP), a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Rosa’s Community Garden (RCG), located in Jackson County, Florida, is our flagship project. Our main purpose is to facilitate community garden programs to increase access to and availability of healthy food, increase physical activity of gardeners, and provide social and emotional benefits for Florida’s underserved rural communities. MVP was engaged in a very successful collaboration with a group of senior students in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering to create a design plan for the community garden. The students did an amazing job capturing all the important elements of our vision for the garden to serve as a vibrant hub for community engagement, bringing together people of all ages to plant, harvest, and share knowledge about sustainable gardening. A place where local farmers, volunteers, students, and others can connect to learn about organic farming, composting, and healthy living, offering educational programs for students and providing hands on experience in agriculture and sustainability. The design plan depicts a gathering place for hosting farmers markets, cultural festivals, and cooking demonstrations to celebrate local traditions and healthy lifestyles. As it is designed to do, Rosa’s Community Garden promises to strengthen the bonds in Marianna, Florida, promoting a brighter, healthier future for all.