Nandrea Burrell

Why FSU?

Being a first-generation student, I didn't even know that graduate school was a possibility for me. When I decided I wanted to pursue a graduate degree, I wanted to be in a program where they embrace differences among their students and look at it as a strength instead of a weakness. I also wanted to be in a program that encourages their students to challenge the standards that are currently set in order to make a more inclusive and diverse environment for research. That is what I found at FSU in the Department of Psychology. In addition to checking off these boxes, the current graduate students in the program of Developmental Psychology spoke very highly of their time there, and it only made me want to attend FSU even more.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

My love for learning was what initially got me interested in research and graduate school. I did research in a lab that was headed by a Black woman in undergrad and it was here that I learned about the gap in research surrounding minority populations as well as the low percentage of Black women in PhD programs. This reality made me very hesitant to pursue a graduate degree; however, I knew that I wanted to help decrease this gap and also knew the importance of increasing knowledge of minority populations. And so, in combination with other decisions, I knew that pursuing a graduate degree was the next step for me.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

Research is important because it allows us to examine our world in different ways. We gain a deeper understanding of why things are the way they are and even better, we discover ways to improve our society. The thing that I love about research is it teaches us that there is not just one way to examine something or find a solution. We see this idea through the many interdisciplinary areas within research.

Career aspirations

I hope to start a career in education policy after I graduate. I plan to draw on my research skills to assist in program implementation, education reform, and overall education equity.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Make the decision that you feel is right for you. There will be so many things to consider (time, money, location, etc.), but no one knows your situation and yourself better than you. Take time to reflect on where you have come from and where you want to be, and go to grad school if you feel it is the best decision for you and your life.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I received many grants and awards from FSU: Congress of Graduate Students Presentation Grant, Ermine M. Owenby Jr. Fund to Promote Excellence, Adelaide D. Wilson Graduate Student Success Fund Recipient, Mark DeGraff & Lula Hamilton DeGraff Research Loan Scholarship Recipient. Moreover, I am proud to have interned at Research to Policy Collaboration.