A Journey of Growth: Reflections on My Evolving Path in Research and Advocacy by Catherine Sackey, MPAP

Photo Credit Princeton Graduate School

Catherine (🇭🇹Guillaume🇭🇹) Sackey, MPAP

Master of Public Affairs and Politics | Analyst | 2024 Princeton P3 Scholar | Focused on Developing Impact Measurement Systems for Government and NGO Collaborations.

October 2, 2024

Throughout my life, the intersection of personal challenges and academic pursuits has guided my approach to research and policy. From balancing family responsibilities with education to transitioning into advocacy-driven work, each experience has contributed to the growth of my ideas and perspective. This reflection traces how my thought process has evolved over the years, examining the key moments that have shaped my current and future goals.

Overcoming Educational Setbacks: The Early Drive for Achievement

In the early stages of my academic journey, I faced numerous challenges. Balancing family life with education made me acutely aware of the difficulties that non-traditional students encounter. Pausing my education to raise a family reinforced my belief in the power of education—not just as a means to an end but as a process of transformation. This understanding fueled my drive to study policies that support marginalized communities, particularly those who face systemic barriers in education.

My early struggles laid the foundation for my research into institutional support for students from diverse backgrounds. It became clear to me that resilience, while necessary, is not enough. Success, particularly for non-traditional students, requires robust support systems and equitable access to resources.

One educational accomplishment led to many others, including taking action to upscale my leadership skills.

Identity and Social Justice: A Growing Focus on Policy

As I advanced in my studies, especially during the social justice movements that gained prominence in recent years, my work became more intensely focused on how identity shapes experiences within the education system. As a Black woman navigating higher education, I began to see my own story reflected in the systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups. This personal experience informed my research into education policy and advocacy for underrepresented communities.

One key example of this shift is my Intersectionality and Black Women in Higher Education study. Using Kimberlé Crenshaw’s Intersectionality Theory, I explored how race and gender intersect to create unique barriers for Black women in academia. The research revealed how these women often face invisible labor and institutional discrimination, leading to limited access to leadership roles. This study mirrored my own experiences, deepening my commitment to addressing these systemic inequities through policy.

My focus on intersectionality, primarily through the lens of race and gender, became a central theme in my work. I began to explore how race and gender intersect to create barriers in academia, a reflection of my own lived experiences. This intellectual shift transformed my work from an individual perspective to one that seeks broader systemic change, a theme that continues to resonate throughout my research.

Photo taken at the 2024 Princeton's Prospective Ph.D. Preview (P3)

From Individual Resilience to Systemic Responsibility: The Role of Institutions

One of the critical turning points in my academic journey was my research into the disparities faced by transfer students. This study mirrored my own experience as a non-traditional student navigating the complexities of higher education. In my research on Transfer Student Equity, I applied Pierre Bourdieu’s Cultural Capital Theory to investigate how transfer students often lack access to the institutional knowledge and resources that native students possess. This lack of cultural capital, as I found in my study, hinders their academic integration and overall success.

I was invited to share my non-traditional education journey with policymakers and education and labor industry stakeholders.

My thought process evolved from focusing on individual perseverance to recognizing the crucial role that institutions must play in creating equitable systems. The understanding that systemic responsibility is critical to creating pathways for marginalized students continues to drive my work in policy development and advocacy.

Broadening the Scope: Disability Rights and Advocacy

My work on disability rights through the lens of the IDEA Law Paper marked another significant expansion of my perspective on equity. Using Critical Disability Theory, I explored how legal frameworks like IDEA provide essential protections for students with disabilities but often fall short in marginalized communities. My research revealed that while IDEA offers a foundation for disability rights, there are significant gaps in implementation, particularly in underfunded districts.

My oldest brother, a victim of system failure of mental health policies, lived on the streets for more than 20 years.

This work reinforced my commitment to intersectional policy development. It became clear to me that addressing equity requires more than just legal frameworks—it demands thoughtful implementation, particularly in underfunded and underrepresented communities. My research into disability rights added another layer to my understanding of how policy must account for the intersection of multiple forms of marginalization.

The Power of Community: Advocating for Collective Solutions

One of the most significant shifts in my thought process came as I delved into the power of community-driven solutions. My early career experiences in food service management taught me the value of teamwork and collective effort. As I transitioned into academic work, I realized how these same principles apply to solving systemic issues.

This is a prime example of how collaboration between non-profit, fortune 500 companies (L'Oréal), a local garden center (Famma's Nursey Somerset), and educational and government collaboration (Rutgers Cooperative Ext. of Somerset County) can thrive.

In my case study on Nonprofit Partnerships and Collective Impact, I applied Robert Putnam’s Social Capital Theory to explore how trust and collaboration between nonprofit organizations amplify their impact. The findings demonstrated that nonprofits with strong networks were more effective in resource-sharing and service delivery, emphasizing the importance of community in driving systemic change.

My personal experiences of relying on community support during difficult times reinforced this idea. I now believe that actual change comes not from top-down solutions but from empowering communities to take an active role in shaping the policies that affect them. This shift from individual resilience to collective empowerment has become a guiding principle in my research and advocacy.

 Volunteers from L'Oréal Cleaning the Senior Community Garden in Franklin Township

A Forward-Looking Vision: Chronological Thought Analysis of Future Work and Goals

Present—2025: Exploring Root Causes in Social Policy and Politics My immediate goal is to step back from education policy and immerse myself in understanding the root causes of social inequities. This will involve comparative research on political systems and their approaches to social policy. I am particularly interested in developing frameworks for measuring the impact of policies designed to address systemic inequalities, with a focus on how government and NGO collaborations can create lasting change.

2025 – 2028: Pursuing a PhD in Comparative Politics and Social Policy My long-term academic goal is to pursue a PhD in comparative politics and social policy. I plan to explore how different political structures influence social outcomes, with a particular focus on equity and inclusion. By studying various systems, I aim to develop new insights into how policies can be designed to address the complex needs of marginalized communities.

2028 – 2030: Consulting and Advocacy in Social Policy After completing my PhD, I envision transitioning into a consulting role where I can apply my research to real-world problems. My focus will be on advising governments and nonprofits on how to design and implement policies that address the root causes of inequality. This will include developing tools to measure the effectiveness of social policies and ensuring that marginalized voices are central to the policy-making process.

2030 and Beyond: Building Sustainable Solutions Looking to the future, my goal is to build sustainable, community-driven policy solutions that address the intersection of race, gender, disability, and socio-economic status. I plan to continue my research and advocacy work but also to engage directly with communities to ensure that policies reflect their needs and experiences. I aspire to become a leader in the field of social policy, using my research to influence large-scale policy changes that create more equitable systems.

 Stopping to recognize that I am only here because others have lifted me while they were in higher spaces, and I vow to do the same on a global scale.

Conclusion: A Continuous Journey Toward Equity and Justice

My academic and personal journey has been one of transformation—from navigating individual challenges to understanding and addressing systemic barriers. Each phase of my life, from my early educational setbacks to my research into intersectionality and equity, has contributed to the evolution of my thought process.

As I look ahead, my focus remains on developing policies that promote lasting, systemic change. Whether through research, consulting, or direct advocacy, I am committed to working toward a more just and equitable society. The values of resilience, responsibility, and collective action will continue to guide my work as I pursue my vision of a future where policy is shaped by the needs of all, not just the privileged few.

I am supporting others who believe in making a change using their lived experiences.