Thanks for stopping by!
Welcome – I’m Monica Liggins-Abrams. I am so glad that you took a brief moment to check out my blog today.
Who is this blog for?
This blog is for those who are passionate about education, those who work in education or education adjacent spaces, and educational leaders. In case you were wondering, yes, this blog is for you.
I hope you find the content to be thought-provoking, pushes you to consider your role in system-level changes and innovations needed to create a more accessible and supportive education organization for the diverse set of students our education systems serve.
If you are curious about students and their experiences, this blog is for you.
If you love seeing how data can inform policies and practices, this blog is for you.
If you believe that equity, inclusion, and belonging should be embedded in our education systems, this blog is for you.
If you are passionate about being the change you want to see, this blog is for you.
If you have an interest in the intersection of education, strategy and systems-level thinking, this blog is for you.
I think that should cover most people at this point😊
“Education is key to upward economic and social mobility”
So What’s In It For You?
This blog will provide you insights, commentary, and hopefully inspiration to create meaningful change for students, within your purview.
A lot of times we talk about how our education systems in the United States need transformation and we are at a critical crossroads where this change needs to happen now, but have you been equipped with the information and tools you need to enact change? I will talk about current and future trends in education, as well as provide practical tips and insights to help equip you to enact change.
I know I am no different from you, so your inbox and social media feeds are flooded with information from experts and newsletters. So why would I add one more to the mix? I saw a need to create a space for strategic, high-quality, concise, and digestible content that is worth your time to consume regularly.
Why Me?
I have personally experienced the power of education and how it can lead to upward economic and social mobility. 17-year-old me was a student-athlete, honors student, Black and Mexican woman, soon to be a first-generation college student from a working-class home. According to the National Center for Education Statistics Digest of Education Statistics (Table 326.10) when I entered college in 2002:
29.9% of first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking students at public institutions completed their degree in four years
17.0% of African-American
20.2% of Latinx
I attended a land grant public institution, carrying the hopes and dreams of my family not knowing that the odds were against me to complete my degree at all, let alone in four years. So why did I make it? Outside of the fact that I had a praying mother and church family - it was expected that I would complete my degree, and I believed I could do it.
Another sort of x factor, I had the opportunity in high school to attend a competitive entry, accelerated STEM high school that taught me how to navigate education systems. I was taught the importance of community and support in succeeding academically, I was taught the power of advocacy and networking. These skills equipped me with enough social capital to be able to navigate an institution with 50K students, especially in times of crisis during my undergraduate education.
My experiences and identities personally and professionally drive my passion to help organizations and leaders improve their systems so that all students not only survive but thrive on their educational journey.
I have had the pleasure of supporting senior leaders, administrators, and executives in K-12, Graduate Medical Education, Higher Education, and EdTech. I enjoy strategizing alongside them to create real and meaningful change that is student and equity-centered. When you are leading a complex organization it can be difficult to stay connected to your mission at times. Do you know what always drives me back? Would I have made it without the resources, mentors, tools, and support, I can answer that for you – probably not. Many students need some, all, or more than what I needed – a little bit of grace, advocacy, and support. We have an obligation to create education systems that foster success for all.
Take Care!