Graduate Assistant, Knight Community Scholars
- Pronouns: she/her/hers
- Office Address: Foster Walker, House 6, 1927 Orrington
- Where do you call home?
- Dorchester, MA. Nai-Lah originally grew up in Dorchester and much of her family still resides in inner-city Boston. However, her immediate family moved to Quincy, a suburb of Boston, in my teenage years so that is a version of home too.
- What do you do at Northwestern?
- Nai-Lah is a PhD student in the Human Development and Social Policy program within the School of Education and Social Policy. Additionally, she is the Knight Community Scholars Graduate Assistant. She is eager to participate in both spaces as her research interests align with her doctoral program, and she wants to best support undergraduate first generation and/or low-income students in their undergraduate.
- What groups/committees/communities are you a part of at NU?
- Nai-Lah is committed to fostering inclusive environments where everyone can thrive, and she continues to work vigorously to make a positive impact in the communities she cares about, including first-generation and low-income individuals, African American, Caribbean, and Native American identities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with learning disabilities. Not long ago, she was a First-Generation, Low-Income student, Black and Native American, Queer, and Disabled undergraduate student. She can empathize and continue the lived experience of these identities in her PhD program.
- What are you passionate about?
- Nai-Lah is passionate about advocating for social equity and community empowerment. She obtained a BA in Sociology modified with African and African American Studies with a minor in Government to understand social structures, inequalities, and activism. Her passion is ensuring that resources and opportunities are accessible to minority communities.
- What are some accomplishments/projects you have been proud of?
- In Nai-Lah's undergraduate experience, she was able to institute hair care services for minority women of color and it no longer being a barrier for women students of color to find hair care in the area of her of undergraduate institution. She also curated a resource guide for first-generation college students which allowed them to better utilize information provided at the undergraduate level. Nai-Lah is keen on hearing students’ needs and envisioning a solution to create an answer.
- Where can you be found on campus?
- Nai-Lah can be found in the SES office or walking around Anneberg Hall.
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- In her spare time, she enjoys hot girl walks, yoga, hanging out with friends, eating new cuisine, and playing video games.