Krystal Lee

In May 2007 Krystal Lee graduated from the University of Delaware, the United States, with a masters of public administration (MPA). Her specialisation was in student affairs.

The University of Delaware, founded in 1743, is a state-assisted institution of higher learning with a private charter. U.S. News and World Report rates it number 67 among America's best colleges for 2007.

In May 2004, Krystal had graduated from Morgan State University (MSU) with a B.Sc. in information systems and sciences. She had gone there from St. Hugh's High School in Jamaica on a full scholarship.

Freshman experience

Looking back at the time she spent at MSU, Krystal, who is from a very close-knit family, said: "In my freshman year, I was very homesick at first, but I soon made many friends as there was a large group of international students with many from Jamaica and the Caribbean."

She started out as a computer science major at MSU, then switched to information systems. Meanwhile, she signed up to be a mentor at MSU and did what she calls "indirect mentorship". From October 2001 to July 2003, she was a peer tutor in mathematics and English.

From August 2003 to August 2005, Krystal worked, first as a part-time, then full-time administrative assistant in the Academic Enrichment Program in the Office of Residence Life at MSU. In that position, she assisted with the development of training and other workshops and also led the Program Development Taskforce in researching methods and strategies to enrich tutoring and training programmes.

She also developed and maintained staff and student databases using Microsoft Access.

The year of full-time work helped her to focus and decide on the next step in her life.

"I learned a lot of lessons when I worked that year. I was able to see the bigger picture," she said.

Krystal knew she did not want to do the MBA, but could not clearly see where or whatshe would study. So she went home to Jamaica for a while and applied to the University of Delaware.

Faith in God

"I did not hear from them for a long time," she recalled. "But I'm a firm believer in God and I knew that things would work out."

When she finally heard from Delaware, which is a larger school than MSU, it was good news to inform her that she was accepted there, her tuition would be paid for, and she would also get a stipend.

Back in the United States she became, from June to August last year, an advocacy intern for the YWCA mid-Atlantic region. Among other things she researched needs/issues of the mid-Atlantic region states in relation to YWCA core issues; gathered and interpreted the research for each state; analysed, summarised and reported findings and liaised with YWCA USA's national advocacy department to ensure all research was relevant to YWCA issues.

She also presented 'Advocacy Guides' to the advocacy committee for review and approval.

Beginning in August 2006 and continuing for several months, she gained considerable experience as a graduate assistant in multicultural programmes and the Centre for Black Culture (CBC) at the University of Delaware. One of the memorable experiences she had in that position was spending a week in New Orleans celebrating Kwanza as the CBC' spring-break trip.

She worked with the Homeless Planning Council of Delaware as a graduate research assistant from August 2005 to May 2006. Among other things, Krystal wrote grant proposals to banks and charitable foundations and also built and implemented the Homeless Planning Council's website (http://www.hpcdelaware.org).

One of the things she has always wanted to do is her Ph.D. She decided to go to the University of Florida in July this year to pursue her doctorate in education. The University of Florida is the third largest university in the United States and is ranked as the 13th best public university in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.

When we spoke, sheadmitted that she was looking forward to the warmer weather in Florida. Her plans are to use her advanced training in higher education administration in Jamaica because, without a doubt, Krystal will "go directly home" once she finishes her education in the United States.

- B.N.