Meet Dara Drake ’23: Trailblazer as the University’s Inaugural Knight-Hennessy Scholar

Alumna Dara Drake ’23 has made history as the first Knight-Hennessy Scholar from Syracuse University. This prestigious program at Stanford offers multidisciplinary scholarships to students who aspire to be strong leaders in a complex world. Each scholar receives up to three years of financial support and opportunities to develop their leadership skills.

Dara hails from Highland Park, Illinois, and graduated with a degree in policy studies. At Stanford, she plans to pursue dual master’s degrees in policy organization and leadership studies and public policy. Her focus is on tackling inequities at the crossroads of education, technology, and government.

She co-founded Skills Win!, an initiative that connects schools and nonprofits with “skills coaches” across New York. Her research on student empowerment has reached global audiences, including presentations at the United Nations.

After graduating from Syracuse, she joined KPMG as an education strategy consultant. In her role, she addresses the challenges schools face and develops solutions for complex issues. "I love being in schools and connecting with teachers and students," she shares.

At Stanford, she hopes to enhance her leadership skills and problem-solving abilities. Most of her first year will involve field studies in schools, while her second year will focus on evaluating educational policies. "I’ll be thinking about how to create and scale effective changes in schools," she explains.

Drake is excited about engaging with the Knight-Hennessy community, a group she describes as passionate and committed to making a difference. She recognizes that many educational challenges are interconnected and feels strongly about addressing these issues holistically.

Drake credits Syracuse for shaping her journey, highlighting the importance of her mentors and experiences on campus. She believes in saying yes to opportunities, a piece of advice she received early on that continues to guide her.

Looking ahead, Dara’s ultimate goal is to take on a leadership role in education within a government agency, where she can impact policies that affect students.

With a strong focus on collaboration and learning, Dara Drake is poised to make significant contributions to the field of education and beyond. For more insights on the Knight-Hennessy Scholar Program, visit Stanford’s official site.

Source link