My name is Tatiana Thomas, and I am currently a student at University of Illinois at Springfield for a master of public administration degree with a certificate in labor relations. I work for the Department of Human Services at UIS as a graduate research assistant and recently began to volunteer with the Faith Coalition for Common Good.
I have always been a person who is aware of the disparities that exist within communities even at an early age. Throughout my life I have always been in places where I have been surrounded by all cultures and able to recognize and respect how others may be different from me. This has affected my mindset and how I view the importance of having a voice. Over time, I noticed the same issues I saw as a child, but nothing had changed. This bothered me. As I became more vocal, more prominently in undergraduate, it pushed me to really speak for those who felt like their issues were never heard.
I hope to rebuild urban communities that are in dire need of attention due to lack of resources. I want to be challenged in my work and gain the ability to overcome multiple forms of adversity. I want to facilitate positive transformation in those instances.
This article appeared in The State Journal-Register on Jan. 23, 2022.