Hobbies and interests
Community Service And Volunteering
Tutoring
Reading
Writing
Poetry
Child Development
Advocacy And Activism
ATV Riding
Aviation
Beach
Cooking
Church
Coaching
Education
Exploring Nature And Being Outside
Gardening
Landscaping
Step Team
Music
Learning
Mentoring
Reading
Leadership
Academic
Anthropology
Biography
Christianity
Economics
Education
Historical
How-To
Humanities
Psychology
Religion
True Story
Social Issues
Self-Help
Philosophy
Parenting
I read books daily
US CITIZENSHIP
US Citizen
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT
Yes
Kimberly Ford
2,325
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
Finalist1x
WinnerKimberly Ford
2,325
Bold Points1x
Nominee1x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
My name is Kimberly Ford, I am a first generation graduate and a retired disabled Veteran of the US Navy who had the honor, privilege, and pleasure of serving as an Air Traffic Controller and am humbled by the opportunity to carry out our country’s mission.
I was raised in a traditionally structured, poverty stricken, and work-based community which made the idea of becoming a college graduate seem far fetched and merely impossible. Despite the statistics and evident facts, something within me still believed it was possible. Through desperation of needing to be the one to create a future and plot change for my family and others alike, I pushed past fear and leaped for every educational opportunity. I have now earned a high school diploma, AA, BS, MS in Human Services Administration and was honorably selected to join the Florida Lambda Chapter of the Phi Gamma Mu International Honor Society of Social Sciences.
Education gave me the guidance and structure needed to align my passion and purpose. I am now pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, with the hopes of opening a non-traditional school for underprivileged children within my childhood community, Trilby, FL.
My belief that education and community support are key to a community’s culture has led me to become an ambassador who promotes community involvement and safety through education and volunteerism in hopes of eradicating relevant social issues.
I give all honor and gratitude to God through Jesus Christ for my accomplishments and opportunities that allow me to be an inspiration to others.
Education
Saint Leo University
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)Majors:
- Education, Other
Saint Leo University
Master's degree programMajors:
- Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
GPA:
3.9
Liberty University
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
GPA:
3.8
Liberty University
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
GPA:
3.5
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Non-Profit Organization Management
Dream career goals:
District Registrar’s Senior Admin Assistant
Richland County School District One, Columbia, SC2006 – 20104 yearsFounder/Mentor/Career Advisor/Instructor
The Girls Locker Room (GLR)2018 – Present6 yearsFounder/Tutor
Carter Ford Academy2019 – Present5 yearsAir Traffic Controller
US Navy2010 – 20155 years
Sports
Track & Field
Varsity2001 – 20043 years
Awards
- First Place District Long Jump
Research
Education, Other
The Girls Locker Room, Inc. (GLR) — Budget/Budget Narrative Developer and Evaluation Plan Developer2019 – Present
Arts
Carter Ford Academy (CFA)
Painting2019 – 2021
Public services
Advocacy
The Girls Locker Room, Inc. (GLR) — Founder/Mentor/Career Advisor/Instructor/Budget/Budget Narrative Developer and Evaluation Plan Developer2019 – PresentAdvocacy
Association of Inspiring Women (AIW) — House Representative2016 – PresentAdvocacy
Richland County School District One — McKinney-Vento Homeless Advocate2006 – 2010Volunteering
Boys & Girls Club of America — Mentor2012 – 2015
Dr. Jade Education Scholarship
WinnerI have always been a big dreamer and dream chaser; wishing, while believing I would become a college graduate to escape poverty and soar beyond the statistics of my childhood community. Now that my dreams of becoming a college graduate are reality and I am pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, my life goals have become much clearer.
The life of my dreams is brightly painted as spearheading, establishing, and actively teaching in an educational center with the mission “to provide solid education through an interactive learning style to prevent violence and increase literacy rates for youth within the community”. The center will provide its students with the opportunity to enhance their creativity and develop their
intellectual abilities through hands on creative learning.
My days would be filled with the sounds of joy and laughter from students expressing their excitement for learning. This would bring joy to my heart to know that every student at my school will receive the attention they need and deserve. Boredom would not exist, there would not be a dull moment. All subjects would be taught with enthusiasm and accommodations for all learning styles by teachers who agree with and stand for the school’s vision. The instructors will carry out the school’s mission using a common sense leadership approach.
There would be emergency food and shelter assistance, neighborhood student bus pick up and drop off, certified instructors, study hall with private seating for independent study, hands-on skill building training, resume writing, safety training, and private support groups for suicide prevention and awareness.
As a survivor and overcomer of peer bullying, I would pride myself in having a Bully Free Zone policy set in place. Every student will know that there is a zero tolerance for bullying. Also there will be an open door policy for students to seek help in confidence to eliminate retaliation.
The community will have so much confidence in the center, that the support would be endless and will lead to lessening the impact of and eradicating the ongoing social issues. All social issues have a root cause. We would determine the root causes through a thorough community needs assessment to insure we are providing programs and services relevant to our target audience.
No matter what happens in life, dreaming births hope. When one dreams, there is something to look forward to. I live each day knowing my dreams will become reality as long as I choose to never give up.