After having my daughter, success no longer meant titles or money. It's now measured by the lives I've impacted and the legacy of love and empowerment I leave behind.
Rochelle Higgins-Corbie, DLP · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Rochelle
Dr. Rochelle Higgins-Corbie is an accomplished higher education professional, experiential learning leader, and university lecturer with more than ten years in the education field and more than five years of experience creating impactful educational partnerships that bridge academia and industry. As an Experiential Partnerships Manager at Northeastern University, she manages cross-functional initiatives that connect master's-level students with real-world organizations, providing project-based learning experiences that strengthen academic outcomes and career readiness. In addition to this role, she serves as a part-time university lecturer, preparing graduate students for experiential learning opportunities through professional development, networking, and career strategy. Dr. Higgins-Corbie's academic achievements reflect her multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to public service. She earned her Doctorate of Law and Policy from Northeastern University. She defended her dissertation on a tiered approach to reparations for Black and African American students in 2023 and graduated in 2024. She also holds a Master of Science in Global Studies and International Relations with a concentration in Developmental Health from Northeastern University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Healthcare Management and Business Administration from American International College. She is a proud returned Peace Corps Volunteer and an active member of the Peace Corps Association, reflecting her lifelong dedication to global engagement and community service. Throughout her career, Dr. Higgins-Corbie has been driven by a passion for education, social justice, leadership, and service to others. She attributes her success to the values instilled by her parents, who encouraged her to pursue greatness while making a positive difference in the lives of others. Among her proudest professional accomplishments is successfully matching meaningful industry-sponsored projects with graduate students, enabling them to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges while developing the skills needed for long-term success. Through her work, she continues to champion experiential education, cross-sector collaboration, and opportunities that empower the next generation of leaders. Her portfolio expertise is Data analytics and regulatory affairs.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rochelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my ambition and resilience, which are deeply rooted in the values my parents instilled in me from an early age. They taught me to always strive to be my best, pursue excellence with integrity, and use my voice, experiences, and knowledge to positively impact and inspire others. Their guidance showed me that true greatness is not achieved alone, it is reflected in our ability to uplift others, create opportunities, and share what we learn along the way.
I also believe that our time here on earth is limited, and because of that, success should be measured by more than personal accomplishments. To me, a meaningful and fulfilling life is built through helping others, leading with compassion, and leaving a positive impact on the people and communities around us.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to do everything with all of your heart and always give your best effort. Strong work ethic, professionalism, and dedication will open doors and create opportunities that talent alone cannot. At the same time, I’ve learned the importance of setting boundaries and recognizing your value, never allowing others to take advantage of your commitment, reliability, or willingness to go above and beyond. You can lead with excellence and integrity while still advocating for yourself and ensuring your contributions are respected.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to remain grounded in awareness of their own strength, value, and capability. Commit to continuous learning, engage your voice with intention, and advocate for your place at the table. Lead with confidence, meet challenges with resilience, and never underestimate the breadth of impact you are capable of making. Professional success is rarely linear, it is built through a willingness to grow, to persevere through uncertainty, and to keep moving forward even when the path ahead is not yet fully clear.
Your perspective is not a peripheral contribution, it is a necessary one. Your talent and leadership belong in this industry, and there is meaningful space for you to not only thrive, but to elevate those who come after you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The higher education landscape is navigating a period of significant complexity. Current federal policy shifts are creating meaningful uncertainty across institutions, affecting funding structures, the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and the enrollment and support of international students. These pressures are not isolated; they intersect in ways that require institutions to be both responsive and deliberate in how they adapt, advocate, and continue to serve their communities with integrity.
At the same time, this moment presents a genuine opportunity. The evolving nature of work and workforce demands is expanding the aperture of what education can and should deliver, creating openings to broaden career pathways for students, deepen and diversify professional networks, and reimagine how academic programming connects to long-term economic mobility. Perhaps most significantly, there is an opportunity to reaffirm the profound role that education plays in shaping individuals, communities, and industries, and to do that work with greater intention, equity, and impact than ever before.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
At the foundation of both my professional and personal life are integrity, trustworthiness, and reliability. I believe that how you show up, consistently, honestly, and with accountability, is the clearest reflection of your character and the strongest basis for meaningful relationships and lasting impact.
I am deeply committed to serving marginalized communities and those most affected by systemic inequity. This commitment is not incidental to my work, it is central to it. I believe that equitable access to opportunity, resources, and quality education is not a privilege but a right, and I approach my role with that conviction as a guiding principle.
I also place great value on a strong work ethic and on the intentional sharing of knowledge. Information is one of the most powerful tools available to those navigating systems that were not always designed with them in mind, and I take seriously my responsibility to make relevant, meaningful information accessible to those who need it most.
Above all, I am driven by a deep belief that every child and every student deserves an education that is not only accessible but genuinely meaningful, one that honors their potential and equips them to build a future on their own terms. That belief shapes the way I engage in my work every day.
And lastly, but most importantly, showing up as a present mom for my beautiful daughter.
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