My name is Whitnée L. Garrett and I am a SAGE alum, Class of 2011. This fall I started my Ph.d program in Educational leadership at St. Mary’s college of California. I was in the SAGE Scholars Program starting my transferring year at UC Berkeley and I graduated a different person from when I began college. If not for the SAGE Scholars Program, I would not be where I am today.  Building my professional and social skills was a tool I needed to continue maximizing my personal growth.  When I learned about the SAGE Scholars Program I knew that it was the type of program I needed.  From its success rate and history, I knew that the SAGE Scholars Program was different from other programs I could have joined.  A critical skill that I acquired in the Program, and one that I will forever retain and be grateful for, is my ability to effectively communicate whether through emails, letters, speaking or other means.  I also use my “financial literacy packet” and refer to it often.

What made the SAGE Scholars Program different from other programs was the level of accountability I had to have.  Ultimately, I knew no one could fail but me, and if I didn’t complete a project on time, I risked letting my teammates down.  The SAGE Scholars Program broadened my network and helped me build relationships to benefit me on my journey towards success; relationships that help me now and will continue to benefit me in the future. As Marjorie Weingrow, our SAGE Director, has told us, “Your professional portfolio follows you.”

The SAGE Scholars Program has had a profound and life altering impact on me and has ultimately led me to where I am today.