Dr. Stephanie Dumas

I attribute my success to being resilient, dedicated, and being real. I think being able to stay committed through any of the challenges that I face on a personal level, but then also professional, and just still being able to commit to continue serving people and being able to uplift, knowing whatever obstacles I'm facing is just staying authentic to myself. Having someone believe in me early on made all the difference. One of my old mentors, Caroline, just believed in me and made me feel like whatever I go for in life, just keep going. That kind of support made me want to be one of those people that pours into someone else to say, I hear you, I see you, and I'm going to support you the best way I can, because I had someone believe in me.

The best career advice I've ever received is to stay true to yourself and don't let fear overcome your dreams. This advice has guided me throughout my journey, especially when facing difficult transitions and challenges, like moving from New York to Florida as a single mother while pursuing my doctorate. It reminds me to remain authentic and not allow circumstances or fear to hold me back from what I want to achieve.

I say this all the time to all my teens, and I have two pieces of advice. First, continue believing in yourself, no matter what. Protect your peace and never allow any circumstances to define your future. Second, stay focused on your positive growth and surround yourself with good people, no matter what, and never be afraid to ask for guidance and help. This field requires resilience and the ability to stay committed to serving others even when you're facing your own challenges, so having that support system and maintaining your authenticity is crucial.

One of the biggest challenges I face right now is with the population I serve, particularly the Haitian Creole community, which is my own background. What's happening in today's world is creating real barriers for these young people. Many of them are not being granted the same opportunities as others due to their legal status. They're stuck in a sense that they can't go to college right now, they can't access resources because of their immigration status, and those are the challenges because you don't want to set anyone up for failure, but you also can't lie to them about what is happening in the real world. I had a bunch of my seniors graduate, but to look at them in the face and know that they can't really go to college right now, it's disheartening. That's a challenge on its own, trying to support and advocate for youth who face systemic barriers beyond their control.

I'm really grounded in being compassionate, having integrity, and always believing that when you create a safe and supportive space for people, you make them feel seen. One of the values that I always instill is being culturally aware and recognizing that anyone you come across deserves the support, the opportunities, and just being real with them. These values are rooted in everything I do, whether I'm working with youth, families, or mothers going through difficult times. Making people feel heard and supported is at the core of who I am.