Derrick Pacheco

Why FSU graduate school?

Being a first-generation college graduate, I firmly believe that my experiences as an undergraduate student influenced me to pursue a graduate education in Higher Education. In addition, my family has encouraged my educational pursuits. Now, as I pursue my fourth and terminal degree from Florida State University, I believe that Florida State chose me. Florida State has provided me with a plethora of opportunities that have shaped me into the person, scholar, and professional I am today and hope to become in the future.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

My research seeks to examine the ways culture influences the leader identity development of Caribbean college students at historically white institutions. Within the field of leadership education, there are various perspectives that have been rarely examined, and while there is a growing body of literature that centers African American, Black, and Latin* perspectives of leadership, the Caribbean experience is more often than not aggregated in one of those bodies of literature. My research seeks to add an additional understanding of the influences culture has on the ways leadership is perceived from an intra-national perspective of a growing population.

Career aspirations

Throughout my graduate school experience, I have realized that my passion is being in the classroom and serving as an educator, more specifically a leadership educator. After graduate school, I will be looking for faculty and teaching faculty roles in both leadership and higher education programs where I am able to interact directly with students and contribute to their knowledge development. Long term, I hope to take these experiences with undergraduate and graduate students and serve as a vice president for student affairs to enhance the student experience on a college campus.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

When considering graduate school, make sure you find a support system, both academically and personally. Graduate school is one of the most mentally stimulating times of your life in so many interesting ways. Be sure that you have a support system that meets your needs and knows how to support you--this support will take you far in your graduate school experience.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I have been honored to receive several scholarships and awards including, the Point Foundation BIPOC Scholarship, the Myrtis Langston Watts Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Hardee Center for Leadership and Ethics in Higher Education Fellowship, and Dr. Glenn Wayne Stillion Award, and the McKnight Dissertation Fellowship. I have also been honored to hold several leadership roles throughout my career including serving as executive producer of the NASPA Leadership Podcast, doctoral chair for the Higher Education Student Association, and webmaster for the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication.