A JOURNEY SHARED: THE TASSEL WAS WORTH THE HASSLE
TO MY DELTA AIR LINES FAMILY
And finally, to my Delta Air Lines family: you are the wind beneath my wings. Balancing a career with the demands of a PhD was no small feat, and I couldn't have done it without this incredible community.
To my colleagues and leaders who worked around my study schedule, cheered me on during IROPs and flights, and asked about my progress every time we crossed paths—thank you. You kept me grounded while I was literally working, ensuring I never lost sight of the "real world" while I was buried in academic theory. Being part of the Delta family taught me about resilience, global perspectives, and the importance of a supportive team. You’ve been my cheering section from each gate, and I am so proud to share this milestone with you.
To My Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,
They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I have learned over these last few years that it takes an entire ecosystem to sustain a doctoral candidate. As I stand at the finish line of this Ph.D. journey on July 18th, 2026, I look back and realize that while my name might be on the degree, your hearts, sacrifices, and encouragement are woven into every page of my dissertation.
This Ph.D. degree and our upcoming celebration are not just about a title; they are about celebrating the collective love, late-night pep talks, and unwavering belief that brought me here.
TO MY PILLARS: RAVY AND REGGIE
To my sister, Ravy and brother-in-law, Reggie, thank you for being my #1 supporters. When I was deep in research or losing sleep over
deadlines, you were the ones checking in, pulling me back to reality, and reminding me that there was a world outside the library.
To my dearest sister Ravy, sharing this graduation year with you makes 2026 a milestone our family will never forget. Watching you work toward your Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Salem State University has been a source of daily inspiration for me. Seeing your dedication to the Bertolon School of Business while still finding time to support me shows the incredible strength of your character. Reggie, thank you for being the steady ground beneath our feet throughout this whirlwind and for always being the first person to celebrate our wins. Having both of you in my corner has made the hard days manageable and the good days even brighter.
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TO MY WINGS: ALIYAH AND ETHAN
To my niece Aliyah and my nephew Ethan: you two are quite literally my wings. Whenever I felt stuck—thinking I couldn’t write another paragraph or analyze another data set—thinking about you gave me the lift I needed to keep flying.
I did this for you. I wanted to show you that learning never stops and that "Doctor" is a title you can earn through persistence and passion. You remind me to stay curious, to keep asking "why," and to find joy in the small things. I hope my journey shows you that you can achieve absolutely anything you set your minds to, no matter how long or hard the road might seem. I can’t wait to see where your own wings take you one day.
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TO MY LIFELINE: MY DEAREST FRIENDS
To my friends, my "chosen family": I honestly don’t know if I would have made it to this finish line without you. You are the ones who didn’t care about my research stats or my bibliography—you cared about me.
Thank you for the "just because" texts, the dinner dates that forced me to step away from my laptop, and for never letting me disappear too far into the world of academia. You listened to me rehearse presentations, sat through my moments of doubt, and reminded me of who I was outside of my studies. You are the laughter in my life, the people who keep me grounded, and the ones I can always count on for a reality check. This celebration on July 18th is as much a party for you as it is for me—thank you for sticking by me through every semester.
IN LOVING MEMORY MY GRANDMOTHER, SARY PAK
Though she is no longer with us in person, the spirit of my beloved grandmother, Sary Park, is the very foundation of this achievement. There are no words sufficient to thank you enough. You were the quiet, steady strength behind our entire family, and I feel your presence in every milestone I reach. Thank you for the life you have lived and the wisdom you have passed down to me.
You were the root of my resilience. It was your stories of endurance and your legacy of grace that gave me the courage to face the most difficult years of my doctoral program. Even though you aren't here to see me walk across the stage, I know you are watching with the same quiet pride you always held for our family. I carry your wisdom in my heart and your name in my prayers. Everything I achieve is a tribute to the life you lived and the sacrifices you made to ensure your grandchildren, especially for me, could reach for the stars. This degree is as much a testament to your legacy as it is to my hard work.
Grandma, knowing that you are smiling down from heaven as I receive this degree is one of the greatest honors of my life. This achievement belongs to you as much as it does to me.
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TO MY FOUNDATION: MOM AND DAD
Everything I am began with you. Mom and Dad, thank you for raising me with the belief that no ceiling was too high, and no goal was too distant. You taught me the value of hard work before I even knew what a syllabus was. You were my first teachers, my constant advocates, and the people who caught me every time the weight of this program felt like too much to bear.
You provided the emotional bedrock that allowed me to build this dream. Whether it was a phone call to vent about a difficult seminar or your quiet pride that kept me going, I hope you know that this achievement is as much yours as it is mine. Thank you for the sacrifices you made—those I saw and those I didn't—to ensure I had the education and the confidence to stand where I am today. You are my home, and I hope I have made you proud.
TO MY GUIDES: MY PROFESSORS AND MENTORS
To the brilliant minds who guided my research: thank you for the knowledge, the rigorous critiques, and the unwavering guidance. You didn’t just teach me a subject; you taught me how to think, how to challenge the status quo, and how to contribute something meaningful to the world.
There were moments when the academic path felt like a maze, but your mentorship provided the map. Thank you for seeing potential in me that I didn’t always see in myself and for pushing me to reach a standard of excellence I will carry with me forever. I am honored to transition from your student to your colleague.