Born in Ghana, West Africa, Doris emigrated to the United States with her family in Autumn of 1996. Her parents, motivated by the opportunity education in America could provide their children, embedded in Doris and her siblings a passion to succeed academically early-on. Raised by a mother with a deficiency in literacy who struggled to be employed, she realized the momentous role education played in the lives of those around her. Through efforts to enrich her own mothers education, Doris has gained a greater appreciation for the multitude of educational opportunities available to students along with a greater sense of urgency for issues that still remain in education globally. It is with these experiences in mind that Doris proceeds in her efforts to engender better access to education and support for students in neighboring communities along with hopes for change on a global platform.
As a student Doris has not limited herself to succeeding academically. She is Vice-President of the National Honors society, serving alongside her peers in community service initiatives at school and beyond. She is also involved in several mentoring programs that have helped prepare her for college readiness and career professionalism; notably, she is a member of NBCU Scholars, a mentoring outreach sponsored by NBC Universal Studios. Further challenging herself, Doris was involved in the Advanced Science Research Program at her school, interning with two science laboratories at the City College of New York, while competing in regional science competitions.
Yet, even with the many activities Doris is involved with, she still identifies leadership as one of the most crucial steps towards achieving her goals. The summer of her junior year she was 1 of 60 students selected nationally to be LEDA Scholars. As a LEDA Scholar for the Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America, a program partnered with Princeton University, Doris recognizes how essential leadership and diversity of thought is in creating solutions for the many issues faced today. As a student possessing such leadership skills, she now sees the endless contributions she and other youth can make in transforming disadvantaged communities. Today she is an ambassador for LEDA, sharing her own experiences on how LEDA has helped her realize her potential and navigate her dreams.
Remaining humbled by her upbringing, Doris never forgets the journey that made her who she is today. Giving back to local communities, she has been a tutor for the READ Alliance organization, tutoring elementary students in East Harlem with deficiencies in reading. Currently, she is an AmeriCorps worker at the Grand Street Settlement Community. Helping teenagers realize their own educational potential through the use of empowering workshops, teen pregnancy prevention resources, and homework help, she is honored by the great improvement her students show.
Holding inspiration from her mother and her own experiences, Doris is inspired to continue her aspirations of bettering education globally. In college she plans to study Economics and Public Policy with hopes of entering a career in Educational Policy and Reform.
