Meagan Washington-Sims: Overcoming challenges
Graduate Profile
For Meagan Washington-Sims, Governors State University (GovState) was the only University she wanted to enroll at for her doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership (INLD). She truly felt GovState offered the best program for her goals and lifestyle as a single mother with a career.
An advocate for youth, Meagan is passionate about supporting others who have lived in foster care or similar situations, something she experienced as a child. That desire to serve others sparked during her childhood, leading Meagan to serve in the U.S. Army after high school and most recently, working as a child welfare specialist for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Meagan may have faced some challenges on her way to earning her degree, yet she found her way through. Now, she's looking forward to celebrating this accomplishment.
GovState Newsroom: What attracted you to GovState?
Meagan: I love the atmosphere of Governors State, particularly how supportive everyone is towards adult learners. Governors State has always had an excellent reputation as far as their professors being student centered. Even though my program is online, I am very active and visible here at the University and I did not want to earn my degree somewhere where the culture of the University was “cold.” As far as the program itself, the INLD Program was not only my first choice, it was my only choice. It was the only program that I applied to. It was the only program that I wanted to be a part of. There was no Plan B for me. I felt that it was destined for me to earn my doctorate here and in retrospect, it truly was.
GovState Newsroom: What’s your degree and why did you choose it?
Meagan: My degree is a doctorate of education and interdisciplinary leadership with a concentration in nonprofit management and social entrepreneurship. I chose this degree because I felt it would be perfect to build up on the foundational knowledge that I gained in my master's degree in nonprofit management. Aside from one day developing a nonprofit organization of my own, I would also like to teach nonprofits, such as local community and faith-based organizations, the tools that they need to assist them and becoming more sustainable.
GovState Newsroom: What clubs and/or activities were you involved with? Any memories stick out with one of them?
Meagan: I am involved in the ACE program (Youth in Transition—Achieving Completion with Excellence) here on campus. It is one of the newer programs here at GovState, but thus far it has been very impactful. The ACE program provides resources and supports for college students who may have experience homelessness, foster or kinship care. Though I am graduating, I still plan to be a part of ACE as an alum.
GovState Newsroom: What are your dreams for your degree?
Meagan: I would like to develop a crisis housing facility for female youth ages 16 to 24 in Chicago. My vision is to repurpose a school to do this. Ultimately, it will be a transitional supportive housing program with wraparound services to meet the unique needs of this population.
GovState Newsroom: What advice would you give to current and/or future GovState students?
Meagan: Don’t give up. In 2020, I was dismissed from my doctoral program due to a low GPA. Being away gave me time to reflect, but also the courage to petition for readmission. I was extended grace which I’m grateful for, but returning required me to be on academic probation for the duration of my coursework. The retention specialist was honest with me— I would have had to make majority A’s to have a GPA high enough to graduate. I instantly felt defeated. It was a challenge to balance being a single mom, a doctoral student, and having a career, but I did it. I may not be graduating with honors, but I completed my degree “Meg Cum Lade” which is good enough for me.
GovState Newsroom: How are you celebrating your graduation?
Meagan: I am having a prom themed graduation party. Thee All Black Promenade. There are over 150 people coming to celebrate me from all chapters of my life. Prom was not a pleasant experience for me and it impacted how I view formal events, so I’m reclaiming that. What I look forward to the most— it’s in my friends from the Army. I served five years in the military, so I’m really looking forward to seeing my extended family, my “battle buddies” all in one room.