Michelle J. McLeod

Backpack_for_serious_students

“The Obama Administration will undoubtedly open up the lines of communication regarding race relations, as well as other current issues relating to all minority groups. Being at the forefront of this progressive transition will allow me to speak on behalf of those who have felt silenced in the past.”

  • Program: 2009 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
  • Hometown: Fredericksburg, Va

Biography

PROFILE: If asked how Michelle McLeod arrived at this stage in her life, she’ll point to the many groups that she volunteered with – “organizations that really care what happens to others.” The Navy veteran who has juggled several different jobs in her 43 years will also proudly say that wherever she’s been she “was a spoke in the wheel that was ready to be part of the solution and less of the problem.” She honed her people skills while working as a supervisor in the U.S. Census Bureau in Hudson County, NJ in 2000. Although she only speaks English, she was able to bridge the gap between languages (over 70 different spoken in her covererage area), cultures, races and ethnicity by reaching out to and hiring representatives from all facets of the community. The job with the Census ended when all the data was collected, but it made Michelle aware that drawing people together from different backgrounds can have a positive impact in the workplace, as well as the community as a whole. She hopes to receive an advanced degree in Human Resources Management in the concentration of Diversity and Inclusion Management from Georgetown University which will allow her to become an “attentive and effective manager who can implement equality, unity and acceptance in business, government and universities.”

INSPIRATION: A professor in community college, Doree Robinson, gave 150% to her students, Michelle says. “If I felt I was drowning, Doree would throw a rope and pull me in the right direction.” Before Michelle enrolled in one of her classes, “I was going through the right motions, but she set the compass and I knew to follow.” 

ASPIRATION: With an advanced degree, Michelle hopes, that either in business or government, she can ensure that diverse groups are fully included and engaged. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Michelle’s proud of her numerous achievements in her lifetime – the many volunteer awards, making it through Navy boot camp, academic success – but she says she is most proud of her two nieces and nephew in New Jersey who lost both of their parents. Michelle has been a role model to the trio. “They are three pairs of eyes watching my every move, determining their own life’s mission based on my own,” Michelle says.

ACCOLADES: In addition to the scholarships she’s received from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Michelle also was awarded the Quinnipiac Merit Transfer Scholarship as well as the Talbot’s Women’s Scholarship, given to women age 25 or older. Michelle is proud of two other awards as well - The Rachel Ranis Award for Social Justice and the Morris Woskow Award for Special Achievement in Liberal Arts from Quinnipiac.

INTERESTING FACT: Michelle has somethingin common with Ellen DeGeneres: years ago she did stand-up comedy at a club in New York City.

Other Scholars Like Michelle

Julian-israel_canizares_thumb

Julian-Israel Canizares
College Scholar
American University

Bw480x600_thumb

Claire Clelland
Graduate Scholar
University of California, Los Angeles

Noah_portrait_red_striped_sweater_thumb

Noah Smith
Graduate Scholar
University of California, Berkeley

Medranocropped_thumb

Catherine Medrano
Graduate Scholar
University of California-Santa Barbara