William Baptist

Why FSU?

I am a product of Baltimore City, a first-generation alumnus of the University of Delaware and the University of Illinois, an instructor at Florida State University, and a doctoral student in FSU’s International & Multicultural Education PhD program. Living my passion for international education and my desire to show the next generation the benefits of educational tenacity have gotten me to this point

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

Educators have reminded me of my responsibility to the next generation: to make a way for those who follow, akin to the protagonist from Dromgoole’s poem. It’s for this reason that I am pursuing a doctorate in International and Multicultural Education.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

Recently, I began developing tools that looked further into minority student access to study abroad programs, a subject I wish to pursue as a research topic. I was also provided more experience with institutional research, which led me to apply for the Institutional Research Certificate program offered through the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. The statistical uses of quantitative data, from my professional experience, are of more policy and executive use in promoting change than qualitative data alone, which inspired me to talk more with faculty to get a more well-rounded view of my research direction.

Career aspirations

Honestly, I have had everything up to this point mapped out. Since I have been working in higher education for a while, I would like to progress to executive levels in higher education in addition to consulting for diversifying study abroad programs.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

As long as you handle your business and keep your eyes and ears open, things won't always go perfectly but will generally tend to work out.

Accomplishments during the graduate career

I was awarded the International Career Advancement Program (ICAP), a prestigious fellowship designed to support professionals in advancing their international careers. I was also awarded a McKnight Doctoral Fellowship in 2024.