Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal Share the Dream: My Life, My Focus, My Goal: Pryce, Genesis

Talent Merit Scholarship Recipient

My name is Genesis Pryce. I was born in Middletown, NY. I am a Caribbean American u.s citizen. I am a third-generation immigrant. Just as many others, I was raised on very strong values, beliefs, and principles that shaped me into the person I am. One of the strongest examples of that in my life would have to be my religion. I have been raised in an extremely Christian religious household and family, that's actually how I got my name, Genesis (the first book of the bible). My grandmother has been a christian pastor with her own church and congregation for over 40 years now, being surrounded by such a strong and beautiful example of faith, and being taught to have a strong, healthy relationship with God has had to be one of the biggest things in my life that made me who I am.

Outside of religion, I was raised on values such as hard work, respect for others, kindness, honesty, toughness, and strength. These values have not just molded me mentally, they have also influenced some of the biggest things in my life, like my sports. I am an MMA fighter, along with a couple of other forms of martial arts, as well as a cheerleader. I'm also a volunteer firefighter. These values have also influenced the little things in my life, like who I choose to be friends with, how I react to certain situations, or even the clothes I decide to wear every day. I come from a somewhat large family.

In my immediate household hold I am the oldest with two younger siblings, outside of my household I have other siblings on my dads side, god siblings, and more aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins than I can even keep track of this has also affected the person I am growing up in a very big yet very supportive, loving family has gave me a very strong sense of love, family and community. Throughout my life, I have been through a lot, from medical issues to my mental health, bullying, and legal trials. The experiences I have gone through have taught me perseverance, and they continue to help me grow and inspire me to pursue a higher education.

I chose to enroll at UMass Dartmouth, honestly, mainly because of the financial and location aspects. I wanted to branch out and get out of New York, but stay in the colder weather, and this school was offering me the most reasonable plan financially for the things it was offering. I also chose this school because, outside of the financial and location aspects, I wanted a school that would challenge me in my academics, but still provide me with fun learning opportunities and outlets but as resources to help me grow as a person both academically and in the business world.

From what I've seen so far the campus, programs both academically and community-wise, seem like they could help me reach the full potential that I'm searching for. I am pursuing degrees in Political Science Pre-Law and Philosophy Pre-Law, which fall in place with my interests and long-term career goals. My focus as a student at UMassD pursuing not one but two degrees is to stay committed to coursework and studies, and to and take advantage of professional opportunities like internships and in-field learning opportunities. My goal by doing these things is to be able to develop a strong technical and interpersonal set of skills that will both benefit me professionally and also show future potential employers that I have taken the steps to further my career from as early on as I could and that I'm serious about my aspirations.

Earning my degree will allow me to contribute to society in the ways I've always dreamed of. Throughout my life, I have been motivated by a deep desire to create meaningful change, and obtaining a law degree is a crucial step in fulfilling this goal. I plan to use my degrees to pursue a career in corporate law and international law, as these fields will empower me to navigate difficult legal landscapes and advocate for businesses and individuals on a global scale. Ultimately, I envision a future where I can leverage the skills and accomplishments I gained during my time in law to embark on a career in politics. This progression is not just about personal achievement, it’s about having a platform to influence policies that will benefit my community and beyond.

Beyond my professional aspirations, one of my biggest goals in life is to have a positive impact on my family in incredible ways. I want to provide my mother with financial security, ensuring that she never has to worry about her finances or even touch her own bank account again. This isn’t just about money, though it’s about giving back to the woman who has sacrificed so much for my success and well being and my aspirations. Additionally, I hope to pay for my siblings' education and support my future nieces and nephews in their academic journeys. Education has the power to transform lives, and I want to ensure that the younger generations in my family have access to opportunities that were made available to me, just in an easier way. I aspire to be a role model for my future children, demonstrating to them what it means to be a successful Black woman and mother. By showing these qualities, I aim to provide them with a tangible example of ambition and hard work. I understand the importance of representation, and I want my children to see that their dreams are within each, regardless of the challenges they may face.
In addition to my family, I am committed to positively impacting my community on both a local and global scale. I want to be a voice for women and the Black community in the political world, advocating for policies that promote equality, justice, and opportunity. Marginalized voices must be represented in decision-making spaces, and I aim to ensure that those perspectives are heard and valued. On a global scale, I aspire to become a public figure whom young girls and boys around the world can look up to and aspire to emulate. I believe that seeing success in people like you plays a significant role in inspiration, and I want to challenge stereotypes while promoting the idea that success is achievable for all, regardless of background.

I hope to inspire individuals like myself within my communities to strive for higher education, just as I am doing at UMassD. By sharing my journey and the knowledge I gain through my studies, I can motivate others to pursue their academic goals and create pathways for their success. I see myself engaging with local youth through mentorship programs, workshops, and community events to encourage them to see education as an obtainable opportunity, not a barrier.
 
Through my education and the skills I will gain from UMassD and other future academic opportunities, I hope to accomplish both my personal and professional goals while giving back to those who have supported me along the way. I aim to open doors and create opportunities that will help others like me reach their full potential. With perseverance and dedication, I want to make a significant difference in the world through both my actions and my advocacy.