I am completing a Bachelor's in Urban Studies at The New School through the Bachelor's Program for Adult and Transfer Students, a degree I started at Columbia College at Columbia University in the City of New York. I am is also a Master's candidate at the Milano School for Policy, Management and the Environment at Schools of Public Engagement at The New School, specializing in Applied Quantitative Methods with a focus on Education Policy. I have previously worked for and am an alum of the Prep for Prep 9 program in New York City, which assists disadvantaged children of color in New York City apply and prepare for education at a private, independent boarding school. The author is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire.

I live in Queens and have a particular interest in education policy and programs for special populations: students with disabilities, English Language Learners and students living in poverty, particularly the homeless. I am also interested more broadly in working towards equitable solutions to segregation in NYC public schools. I attended 4 different public schools in Queens District 29 before I was accepted to Prep for Prep 9 and went to boarding school for high school.

This thesis was completed as part of the Senior Seminar requirements for the Urban Studies major at the Schools for Public Engagement at the New School.