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Kimberly Ford

2,325

Bold Points

1x

Nominee

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

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.)
2023 - 2027
  • Majors:
    • Education, Other

Saint Leo University

Master's degree program
2018 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other
  • GPA:
    3.9

Liberty University

Bachelor's degree program
2014 - 2018
  • Majors:
    • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
  • GPA:
    3.8

Liberty University

Associate's degree program
2012 - 2014
  • Majors:
    • 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:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Non-Profit Organization Management

    • Dream career goals:

    • District Registrar’s Senior Admin Assistant

      Richland County School District One, Columbia, SC
      2006 – 20104 years
    • Founder/Mentor/Career Advisor/Instructor

      The Girls Locker Room (GLR)
      2018 – Present6 years
    • Founder/Tutor

      Carter Ford Academy
      2019 – Present5 years
    • Air Traffic Controller

      US Navy
      2010 – 20155 years

    Sports

    Track & Field

    Varsity
    2001 – 20043 years

    Awards

    • First Place District Long Jump

    Research

    • Education, Other

      The Girls Locker Room, Inc. (GLR) — Budget/Budget Narrative Developer and Evaluation Plan Developer
      2019 – Present

    Arts

    • Carter Ford Academy (CFA)

      Painting
      2019 – 2021

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      The Girls Locker Room, Inc. (GLR) — Founder/Mentor/Career Advisor/Instructor/Budget/Budget Narrative Developer and Evaluation Plan Developer
      2019 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Association of Inspiring Women (AIW) — House Representative
      2016 – Present
    • Advocacy

      Richland County School District One — McKinney-Vento Homeless Advocate
      2006 – 2010
    • Volunteering

      Boys & Girls Club of America — Mentor
      2012 – 2015
    Dr. Jade Education Scholarship
    Winner
    I 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.