Daily Inspiration: Meet Briana Savage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Savage.

Hi Briana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about your journey and how you got to where you are today?
I’m Briana Savage, an avid LA sports fan, family-oriented, knowledge seeking, passionate educator. I find joy in learning about the social intricacies that affect everyone’s day-to-day lives and helping others achieve their goals.

Growing up, I was surrounded by educators within my family. My mother and aunt are elementary school principals, my grandmothers were both teachers, my father briefly worked as a substitute teacher, and my other aunt is an associate dean at a business school. I went to work with my mom and grandma on a regular basis, decorating and packing up their classrooms, assisting in the office, and helping wherever needed for volunteer hours. I told myself I did not want to be an educator, but life works in mysterious ways and now I can’t see myself as anything else.

After graduating from UCLA with a Political Science degree and double minor in Public Policy and Education Studies, my gap year that I initially took to prepare for law school turned into three years. During that period, I became an elementary school substitute teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), beginning my shift from a potential career in law to my current career path in education.

As an empath, I instantly connected with my students and found an immeasurable amount of satisfaction when they reached their goals and had positive educational experiences. Working primarily at urban schools in Watts and South-Central Los Angeles, I found myself teaching my students about college and the opportunities a college degree can lead to. Many of them had never heard about college or did not know anyone who attended, so we would do college research projects, watch virtual tours of campuses, talk about scholarships, and much more. These conversations gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own journey and helped me become aware of my purpose: becoming an educator at the university level.

From there, I turned down acceptances to various law schools and in Fall 2018, I enrolled in the Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA) program at the USC Rossier School of Education. During my time there, I was able to serve on the USC PASA Network Executive Board and mentor two first-year master’s students. Additionally, I accepted a position with the USC Bovard Scholars program which allowed me to work directly with low-income, high achieving rising high school seniors. I taught lessons on leadership, admission requirements, and career exploration in preparation for the college admissions process.

I also interned for the Cal Poly Pomona Athletics Department, where I gained hands on experience with NCAA eligibility requirements, degree progress qualifications, and compliance regulations. Furthermore, as an Academic Mentor for the UCLA Athletics Department, I worked with a caseload of about 12 first-year student-athletes to help increase their academic success during their high school to college transition by developing them into self-sufficient learners, assisting them with identity development, and teaching them how to effectively utilize campus resources.

In September 2020, I began my first year at the UCR School of Education as a PhD student in the Higher Administration & Policy program, and I am now a second year doctoral student. My experiences have inspired me to pursue research that focuses on decreasing educational gaps between socioeconomic and racial groups through hands-on, grassroots programs that support underserved students; create a system that is equitable; and enhance the quality of underserved students’ education. My research interests include underserved populations ranging from first-generation students to student-athletes.

Upon completion of the PhD in Higher Education, I strive to become a tenure track faculty member at a top-tier university. I believe that the combination of my background in the K-12 sector, my experience in higher education, and my personal journey will allow me to be intentional with my research and encourage my colleagues and students to create change in the higher education system.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I am thankful for every setback and moment of reflection that I used to regroup and push forward. It was extremely hard to change career paths after being set on pursuing a law career from third grade until the end of my undergraduate career. I questioned my purpose countless times, had a lot of sleepless nights and wanted to give up occasionally, but my strong support system consisting of family, friends, and colleagues have been there through everything. Every experience I have had has led to where I am now and has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am eternally grateful for the totality of the journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
On top of being a PhD student, I am gaining experience teaching at the university level from my teaching assistant positions at UCR. Also, I am currently a Research Associate at the UCR Center for Athletes’ Rights and Equity (CARE) and my goal is to use my position to break down stereotypes placed upon Black male student-athletes, as well as assisting them with identity development outside of their athletic abilities. I focus my research on promoting the implementation of access and equity programs designed to help them develop a sense of self; highlight the importance of mentorship; navigate the academic enterprise; and gain skills and experiences that will generate success in their future. In general, it is my passion to make higher education accessible for students of color, and it is my priority to retain those students until matriculation.

I also have my own college application consulting business in which I guide high school seniors through the college application process, assist them with personal statement editing, and provide mentorship if necessary.

I am most proud of my growth over the years and the connections I have made with my students and colleagues. So many people have made an impact in my life and taught me about the intricacies of life and the diversity of experiences that exist. I am an educator, but I learn so much each and every day from the students I work with and the people I meet in various academic spaces.

Contact Info:

• Email: briana.savage@email.ucr.edu
• Website: brianasavage.com
• Twitter: twitter.com/besavageee