Q&A with Alumna Reetchel Presume '13
College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Sociology
Minors: Inequality Studies and French
Activities: Haitian Students Association, Women of Color Conference, IMARA magazine, Cornell Roosevelt Institute
What is your current position, organization, and responsibilities?
I am a P-12 Data and Policy Analyst at the Education Trust. My research and data analysis supports the organization’s policy advocacy agenda at the federal, state, and local levels. My work involves translating public data and research into actionable briefs, reports, blogs, or webinars to inform stakeholders of educational inequities and propose recommendations. Along with publishing content, I present on my organization's research to other education practitioners, policymakers, and advocates.
How has your career/work intersected with topics of inequalities?
Even while at Cornell, I had a propensity for public service. I decided to go into the education field because it offers numerous opportunities to address inequities and advocate for more equitable policies and practices to support students. Throughout my career, I have witnessed first-hand how pervasive inequities are in our education system. I worked directly with students, teachers, and parents in New York City and I worked alongside national advocates and researchers in DC to find solutions to persistent education challenges. In my current position, I support a national nonprofit that works to close opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income families. The mission of Ed Trust is to expand "excellence and equity in education from preschool through college; increase college access and completion, particularly for historically underserved students; engage diverse communities dedicated to education equity; and increase political and public will to act on equity issues." The mission is what attracted me to this position; but I am committed to this work because I advocate on behalf of communities I feel personally connected to, such as; Black, low-income, and immigrant students. Before working as an analyst, I obtained a Master's in Public Administration and held a few internship roles in the education policy space to learn and better understand the role of federal, state, and local governments in shaping the U.S. education system. Prior to that, I spent four years working in New York City public schools, first as an AmeriCorps teaching fellow with Citizen Schools, and then as a special projects coordinator with Uncommon Schools. My Minor in Inequality Studies has been relevant to all of these roles.
How did the Minor prepare you for your post-Cornell life?
Inequality Studies made me aware of how institutions and systems shape our society and my courses helped me develop the language to understand and discuss large societal trends. These courses informed my career choices because I developed an interest in jobs that would allow me to address the inequities we learned about in class. My minor was very valuable to me. After graduating from Cornell, I had a strong desire to build upon this knowledge base.
What advice would you offer current students?
Try everything you're even remotely interested in! Say "yes" to opportunities! And if you are ever concerned about how to obtain an opportunity, know that there are always resources available at Cornell (professors, advisers, resource centers, etc.)
How have your studies in inequality informed your understanding of the current Covid-19 pandemic?
My studies in inequality made me understand that our society's institutions and policies are the reasons why Black, Latino, and low-income communities are bearing the health and economic brunt of this pandemic.
