Tia N. Cherry, Ed.D.

When I graduated from high school, I wanted to work and didn't want to go to college, but my mom said to give it one year and see if I liked it, and clearly, I fell in love with it. I was in the SSS STAR TRIO program when I was an undergrad, and my counselors helped me tremendously, and that's how I got my love and passion for education. I had my son during my senior year in college, and when everyone thought I wasn't going to finish or come back, I literally took off two weeks from school and work and went right back. I was very determined to come back and finish, especially because I had so many naysayers, but I had a great support system, primarily from my mom, who was still there rooting me on. I met some amazing people who poured into me and helped me become the person that I am today. There were mentors I had, for example, I recently said to a sorority sister that I was interested in getting more involved with advocacy, and literally the next day, she had sent me a text and said she had talked to this person about me and told them to reach out to me. That is even why I wanted to become a Delta, because there were so many women who helped me along the way who coincidentally were part of that sorority, and that's what truly inspired me. I am so passionate about what I do because the path for me was not linear or perfect. I carry my story with intention because I know how rare it is to come from the circumstances I did and still stand where I stand today. Too often, people with my background are reduced to statistics or expectations of limitation, but I refused to allow my life to be defined that way. My journey is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the belief that where you start should never determine how far you can go.

The best career advice I ever received was simple, yet it changed the way I moved through the world: never shrink your vision to fit someone else’s expectations of you. There will always be people who try to measure your potential by where you started, the obstacles you faced, or the titles you have not yet held. But I learned that your purpose is never determined by someone else’s limited imagination. When you commit to your calling, doors begin to open that you once thought were impossible. I carry that advice with me in every space I enter. It reminds me to walk with confidence, to lead with integrity, and to create opportunities not just for myself, but for those who will come after me. Because the true measure of success is not only how far you go, it is how many others you empower to believe they can go further.

My advice to young women entering education and advocacy is to never underestimate the power of your voice. This work requires courage, conviction, and compassion, and your perspective matters more than you may realize. Do not wait for permission to contribute your ideas, ask questions, or challenge systems that are not serving students well. Understand that your journey may not always be easy. There will be moments when you are the only woman in the room, the youngest person at the table, or the one advocating for communities others may overlook. In those moments, remember that your presence is not accidental. You are there because your insight, leadership, and passion are needed. Invest in your growth, seek mentors who will both support and challenge you, and remain grounded in the purpose that brought you to this field. Education and advocacy are about people, about creating pathways where barriers once existed, and about using your influence to open doors for others.

Most importantly, lead with integrity and empathy. When you stay true to your values and commit to uplifting others along the way, you will not only build a meaningful career, but you will also help transform the systems and communities you serve.

I would also say to not only surround yourself with good people, but also have a great support system. Even if you don't have a good support system, seek out those mentors. Never stop bettering yourself. It's okay to stand out, it's okay to be alone, it's okay to lose some friends along the way, because at the end of the day, you're on a higher path. The people who are for you are going to stand by you regardless, no matter how that looks. Just know that you're not alone - there are people out there who are looking up to you, there are people out there who are rooting for you, who you may not have even met before. It does get better, no matter what the situation looks like right now. This is not your final destination. And again, you are not a statistic. Your story is more than that.

Education and advocacy sit at the center of some of the most urgent conversations shaping our society. The field carries both profound challenges and powerful opportunities. One of the greatest challenges is the persistent inequity in access and outcomes. Students from marginalized communities, first-generation college students, and families navigating complex systems often encounter barriers that are not about ability but about opportunity. Funding disparities, policy changes, institutional bureaucracy, and the widening gap in college and career readiness continue to make it difficult for many students to fully access the promise of education. Advocates must constantly work to ensure that systems designed to serve students do not unintentionally exclude them. Another challenge is the growing disconnect between education systems and the rapidly changing workforce. Institutions must rethink how learning prepares students not only academically, but also socially and economically, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and support networks necessary to thrive beyond the classroom. Yet within these challenges lies a tremendous opportunity. There is a growing recognition that education must be student-centered, culturally responsive, and connected to real-world outcomes. This moment creates space for leaders and advocates to redesign systems, strengthen pathways from education to career, and ensure that students are supported holistically. Advocacy also provides the opportunity to amplify voices that have historically been overlooked. When educators, community leaders, and families work together, they can influence policy, reshape institutional practices, and create environments where students not only succeed academically but also feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Ultimately, the opportunity within this field is transformative. Education and advocacy have the power not just to change individual lives but to shift entire communities toward greater equity, mobility, and possibility.

I pride myself on giving back, being that mentor, if not sponsor at times, to young women in particular, single mothers, letting them know you can do this. A lot of the workshops I do are about financial literacy, preparing for the FAFSA, college preparation, also overcoming imposter syndrome, healing, taking accountability, all of those things, because if you're not whole, you can't be half to anybody else. I had to make sure that I worked on myself, and I pride myself on not being another statistic. My day varies - it's my 9 to 5, and then afterwards it's sending emails, whether it's getting volunteers for my sorority sister's campaign, or planning an upcoming event with NAACP, or meeting with a parent fellow who's currently working on their project for JerseyCAN. I'm also a single parent and a caregiver to my mom, who, unfortunately, is battling cancer right now. I make sure any opportunity I get, I pour into others, whether it's on my social media posting quotes and motivation, or sharing scholarships and resources, so people know there are resources out there that can help them get to whatever the next level is. I'm hoping that young ladies who are in my position, whether it's because they are first-generation about to go to college, or they're a single parent, or maybe they're just stuck in the middle and don't know what they want to do, see me and know that if I did it, they can do it too.