From a personal perspective, the most significant takeaway from my working with the Tow Youth Justice Institute was to be confident in what I have to offer. There were plenty of opportunities for my opinion and skill set to be sharpened and encouraged. From a knowledge perspective, I learned all of the efforts that the state of Connecticut is doing in juvenile justice. My experience will help me think critically about programs and policies needed for social justice of minority groups and those negatively and disproportionately affected by current policies that are implemented. The experience I gained with TYJI showed me that through true collaboration and people who are passionate about the work they do, real change can be fostered. This semester, I won the award for outstanding graduate student in Community Psychology, the award given annually to a graduating Community Psychology master’s student who has shown excellence in academics as well as community or program service and engagement. This honor was truly moving and something I will always cherish.
My time at the University of New Haven gave me exponential personal and professional growth. I gained skills, from research to evaluation, that will help me be an asset in any environment. I also gained mentors and friends that will last a lifetime. Overall, my experience has been amazing!
“Dayquan humbly introduced himself at an event in the spring of 2019, but little did he know that I had already heard of his work ethic and commitment to social justice issues from other professors and colleagues. Over the past year, Dayquan has been integral in the first two phases of research funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. He has reviewed data and written summaries that have allowed for assessment of racial and ethnic disparity in Connecticut cities. He is beyond deserving of is recent award for Outstanding Student in Community Psychology. I look forward to continuing my support of his journey as he pursue his PhD.”
