CU Boulder School of Education doctoral student Qu谩na Madison听was recently a distinguished guest on the , stationed off the coast of San Diego. She was invited by US Naval Commander Tamara Graham, Director of the Navy鈥檚 Diversity and Inclusion program.
Commander Graham met Qu谩na while speaking at a LEAD 1000: Becoming A Leader class, the foundation course for the School of Education鈥檚 , where she came to learn of Qu谩na鈥檚 post-doctoral aspirations of working to advocate for local and international refugee education. Commander Graham explained that the Navy often works with INGOs, USAID and the United Nations to provide the security needed to allow and protect humanitarian aid efforts. These organizations employ civilian liaisons who interface with the military on behalf of the INGOs to collaborate on projects, a position Graham thought well-suited to Qu谩na鈥檚 future goals.听
For two days, Qu谩na experienced the day and night operations of 4,000 hardworking and dedicated sailors aboard the USS Ronald Regan aircraft carrier. During this time she had the opportunity to meet with Commanding Officer Captain Chris Bolt, the Executive Officer Captain Brett Crozier, and Rear Admiral Patrick Piercey who further explained the Navy鈥檚 responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance for refugees,听displaced persons and immigrants.
鈥淭here were crew from all over the United States and many other countries. There were many former refugees/immigrants who I met that had been rescued by the US Navy earlier in their life and after getting asylum in the US, joined the Navy to serve,鈥� Qu谩na said.
In addition to the insights this experience provided, Quana expressed the inspiration she gained from the crew.
鈥淚t was so interesting to hear their stories about why they decided to join and serve our Navy and the skills and knowledge they felt they were gaining by serving our country. I also spoke with a few sailors about the education they were pursuing while on the carrier. There are civilian instructors who teach optional college courses for sailors.鈥�
Qu谩na just finished her first year as a PhD student in the Educational Foundations Policy & Practice program at the School of Education.
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