Xosa Cox knows first-hand how tough it can be for a first-generation college student with a low-income background. But she wants to make sure that education is accessible to everyone both nationally and globally, and she wants to use her own experience to make sure that happens.
A little bit about Xosa:
Q: Where is home for you?
A: Chicago Heights, Illinois.
Q: What is your year and major?
A: I'm a sophomore majoring in Learning and Education Studies.
Q: How did you know you wanted to go into the field of education?
A: I was originally a Political Science major with a concentration in International Relations. I realized I wanted to go into education after how much I cared about educational inequality. Coming from a first-gen and low-income background, I know the barrier to a great education can be high or even discouraged due to lack of support and funds. I knew from personal experience that my background would be an aid to students who are feeling lost in the process of going through their education and trying to find clarity during an important time of their life. I realized education would help me towards this goal and teach me how to encourage others to foster their own personal growth.
Q: What do you enjoy about the College of Education?
A: I enjoy how the College feels like a family. Everyone is here to support and push you to be the best educator you can be. It doesn’t feel like you are in a competitive and intense environment. It feels like you are at home.
Q: Do you have a favorite professor or course? Why?
A: My favorite course is EDUC 201. It is an introductory course that teaches about the field of education and helps you gain early experience via community experiences. This is my favorite class because it exposed me to different educators of different backgrounds and helped me better understand what I can do to become a better educator. It also prepared me to educate in a rapidly changing and diverse environment.
Q: What do you enjoy about your campus experience so far?
A: I enjoy visiting new places in both Urbana and Champaign, meeting people of diverse backgrounds, and taking classes that adhere to my interest. My campus experience has been enriching and rewarding due to the many opportunities UIUC offers!
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I love everything vintage! I collect records, cassettes, CDs, 8 tracks, etc. and I love watching older TV shows like M*A*S*H and Magnum P.I.!
Q: Tell us about your future career plans after graduating and why you want to pursue that field.
A: My future career plan is to either join the Peace Corps after graduating or attend grad school. My ultimate goal is to work in foreign service as a foreign service officer. I want to pursue this because I feel like I can make a difference in the lives of many, both domestically and overseas. It has always been a dream of mine to support others and understand cultures on a global scale.
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